Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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when we can be a part of it?'" says Cummings. The Cummings Foundation was started in the 1980s, but for many years, it mostly accumulated assets—first accepting revenue, and then real estate assets, from Cummings Properties. Over the past decade, though, the foundation has become a philanthropic force in northeastern Massachusetts. In total, it has awarded more than 1,200 grants totaling $375 million, supporting more than 750 organizations. In July, the foundation announced that it would be increasing its annual grant program from $25 million to $30 million, and in August it announced a $10 million grant to Salem State University— the largest cash gift ever made to a state university in Massachusetts. While the Cummings Foundation does support some work abroad, in places like Rwanda, the bulk of its focus has remained local to Essex, Middlesex, and Suffolk counties, At first, the grants went exclusively to organizations in the 11 communities where Cummings Properties operates buildings (Cummings, 85, notes that he still bikes to all 11 cities and towns, "just to say I'm still doing it"). However, the foundation eventually started making gifts to organizations in Boston and other nearby cities with areas of great need, including Nativity Preparatory School in Boston, an accredited, tuition-free, Jesuit middle school serving boys of all faiths from low-income families. Gloucester-based Backyard Growers, which builds and operates community and school gardens, received a $250,000 Cummings Foundation grant this year, after receiving $100,000 in 2017. Executive director Alison Woitunski DiFiore says the latest grant represents a "defining moment" for the organization. "We're relatively young, and this is a ten-year grant, so this is a recognition that we'll still be here in ten years," she says. "We really want to expand our impact, and this grant will be instrumental in our next stage as an organization." In 2021, the foundation announced a $20 million gift to Endicott College to expand Backyard Growers executive director Alison Woitunski DiFiore Executive director Alison Woitunski DiFiore FINE MEN'S CLOTHING & CUSTOM TAILORING of Andover 9 Main Street, Andover, MA | 978-475-5996 |shabansofandover.com 9 Main Street, Andover, MA | 978-475-5996 |shabansofandover.com Don't Settle For Less! Seltser & Goldstein Public Adjusters, Inc. Proudly representing thousands of clients since 1935 Fire | Water | Ice damage | Frozen Pipes The insurance company has an adjuster, shouldn't you? Our professional, licensed claims specialists and appraisers will negotiate the most favorable settlement for you. 900 Cummings Center, Suite 302T, Beverly, MA 01915 Toll Free, 24 Hours: 800-782-2357 www.seltser.com Licensed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, with affiliates in Florida. Member of Better Business Bureau. Windstorm | Lightning | Explosion | Collapses When Disaster Strikes, We Work For You. Don't Settle For Less! The insurance company has an adjuster, shouldn't you? Our professional, licensed claims specialists and appraisers will negotiate the most favorable settlement for you. Fire | Water | Ice damage | Frozen Pipes Seltser & Goldstein Public Adjusters, Inc. Proudly representing thousands of clients since 1935 Windstorm | Lightning | Explosion | Collapses P B S, F P, MA 800-PUB ADJS | 800-782-2357 | .. M S S, S - M, MA B C D, U A B, NH