Parker Foundation Changes 10.1.25

OUR MOVE TO LOWELL 

We moved our operations to Lowell less than two years ago. The move has changed our perspective and brought a deeper and broader understanding to our grantmaking. This year has also brought unwelcome changes, causing hardship for the most vulnerable among us – the poor, the immigrants, the unhoused – and heart-breaking stress on the providers. We are not changing our commitment to Lowell and are holding firm to our values. We have learned a lot in the past year and because we are committed to continued learning, we are grateful to all the people who have made thoughtful suggestions to help us better understand the needs of our community. 

CHANGES TO STRENGTHEN GRANTMAKING 

In response to the feedback we have received, we will: 

• continue to be accessible for consultations so we can learn about new ideas or initiatives, emerging needs, and priorities; 
• continue to offer quarterly mini grants; 
• change our cycle for regular grants to two times per year in March and September; 
• change our grant making platform to Foundant to streamline the forms for your applications, reporting, and banking information, and to increase the number of customer support hours to answer any application questions you may have. 

Please note that September 30 is the last date for regular grant applications in 2025 with the next being March of 2026 and cycling every six months thereafter. 

While the Parker board and advisors assess needs and determines what we can do to help, we are considering the greatest needs for the vulnerable populations to whom we are committed – youth, the unhoused, immigrants, and the elderly, and are focused on basic human needs. 

Please contact us at info@parkerfoundationlowell.org with any questions. With sincere gratitude for all the good work you do to improve the lives of Lowell’s citizens. Karen Hansen Carpenter, President