Bethany Health Care Center is the proud recipient of a $100,000 grant through the Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program. Bethany was chosen from a total of 590 applicants after a competitive review process and will receive $100,000 over two years.
With the Cummings grant Bethany will replace its major kitchen appliances, which are more than twenty years old and past their useful lifespan. The walk-in refrigerators and freezers, as well as the stove bank, griddle, broiler, and ovens will be replaced with new high-efficiency equipment. The updated appliances will increase safety while reducing energy usage and cost, in line with Bethany’s commitment to caring for the Earth.
“Meals are one of the most important elements of a nursing home resident’s day. Proper nutrition contributes substantially to overall health, and a pleasurable dining experience is known to enhance happiness, satisfaction, and well-being. Enjoying a meal in others’ company is an important part of the human experience and increases a sense of comfort and community,” said Sister Jacquelyn McCarthy, CSJ, RN, CEO & Administrator of Bethany Health Care Center. “Bethany provides person-centered care that is integrated into every aspect of the dining experience. Residents select meals from a menu with a variety of choices that have been developed from their feedback. Meals are served in a kind and respectful manner that makes our residents feel that they are being cared for like family.”
The Cummings $25 Million Grant Program supports Massachusetts 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. This Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages 10 million square feet of debt-free space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation.
“We aim to help meet the needs of people in all segments of our local community,” said Cummings Foundation executive director Joel Swets. “It is the incredible organizations we fund, however, that do the actual daily work to empower our neighbors, educate our children, fight for equity, and so much more.”
With the help of about 80 volunteers, the Foundation first identified 140 organizations to receive grants of at least $100,000 each. Among the winners were first-time recipients as well as nonprofits that had previously received Cummings Foundation grants. Forty of this latter group of repeat recipients were selected to have their grants elevated to 10-year awards ranging from $200,000 – $500,000 each.
“We have adopted a democratic approach to philanthropy, which empowers an impressive roster of dedicated volunteers to decide more than half of all our grant winners each year,” said Swets. “We benefit from their diverse backgrounds and perspectives; they benefit from a meaningful and fulfilling experience; and the nonprofits often benefit from increased exposure and new advocates.”
This year’s grant recipients represent a wide variety of causes, including social justice, homelessness prevention, affordable housing, education, violence prevention, and food insecurity. The nonprofits are spread across 43 different towns and cities.
Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings and has grown to be one of the three largest private foundations in New England. The Foundation directly operates its own charitable subsidiaries, including New Horizons retirement communities in Marlborough and Woburn and Veterinary School at Tufts LLC in North Grafton.
Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $300 million to greater Boston nonprofits. The complete list of this year’s 140 grant winners, plus more than 800 previous recipients, is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.
PHOTO: Jim Argir, Executive Director, Bethany Health Care Center and Sister Jacquelyn McCarthy, CSJ, RN, CEO & Administrator