Cummings Foundation awards Elizabeth Peabody House $100,000
Somerville nonprofit receives Cummings Foundation grant to support their after-school program
SOMERVILLE, June 13, 2019 – The Elizabeth Peabody House is one of 100 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 each through Cummings Foundation’s “$100K for 100” program. The Somerville-based organization was chosen from a total of 574 applicants during a competitive review process.
EPH has been partnering with Somerville Media Center to bring claymation, video production, and other awesome media programming to our students. The program has a been a huge hit with our students, but up to now what we can offer has been limited by funding. This grant will allow EPH to bring in SMC more often and for longer periods of time to work on projects with our students.
Founded in 1896, The Elizabeth Peabody House (EPH) supports local families in reaching their full potential. The nonprofit provides preschool, afterschool programs, summer camp and a food pantry to a diverse community of children and their families. The Cummings Foundation grant will support the capital needs and operations of the afterschool program, which serves some 52 children ages 5-13 annually.
Representing The Elizabeth Peabody House, Afterschool Director India Drinkard and Development Associate Ariela Knight joined approximately 300 other guests at a reception at TradeCenter 128 in Woburn to celebrate the $10 million infusion into Greater Boston’s nonprofit sector. With the conclusion of this grant cycle, Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $260 million to Greater Boston nonprofits alone.
“The Cummings Foundation’s generous support will enable more children to access enriching afterschool experiences,” said Executive Director Kretcha Roldan. “The grant will enable EPH to reach more students – many of whom face the challenges of poverty – as we purchase new vans, hire additional instructors, and fund operational costs.”
“For more than 120 years, The Elizabeth Peabody House has offered children an opportunity to explore their talents, interests, and new horizons,” said Christine Egitto, chair of the EPH board. “We’re grateful to the Cummings Foundation for their support of our afterschool program, which builds social and emotional skills while students engage in activities ranging from STEM to drama to Parkour.”
The $100K for 100 program supports nonprofits that are based in and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties. Through this place-based initiative, Cummings Foundation aims to give back in the area where it owns commercial buildings, all of which are managed, at no cost to the Foundation, by its affiliate Cummings Properties. Founded in 1970 by Bill Cummings, the Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages 10 million square feet of space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation.
“By having such a local focus, we aim to make a meaningful positive difference in the communities where our colleagues and leasing clients live and work,” said Joel Swets, Cummings Foundation’s executive director. “We are most grateful for the nonprofit organizations that assist and empower our neighbors, and we are proud to support their efforts.”
This year’s diverse group of grant recipients represents a wide variety of causes, including homelessness prevention, affordable housing, education, violence prevention, and food insecurity. Most of the grants will be paid over two to five years.
The complete list of 100 grant winners is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.
…
About The Elizabeth Peabody House
Founded in 1896 in honor of Kindergarten pioneer Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, The Elizabeth Peabody House supports local families in reaching their full potential through early childhood education, youth development and enrichment, and family services. Located in Somerville, Massachusetts, it serves a diverse community of families, providing preschool, afterschool programs, summer camp and a food pantry. The Elizabeth Peabody House is a proud recipient of funding from the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. Learn more at www.teph.org and on Facebook.
About Cummings Foundation
Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings. The Foundation directly operates its own charitable subsidiaries, including New Horizons retirement communities in Marlborough and Woburn. Its largest single commitment to date has been to Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Additional information is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.
