The North Central Massachusetts Racial Equity Fund is focused on promoting more just, equitable, and compassionate communities in North Central Massachusetts by providing grants to nonprofit organizations working to advance racial equity and social justice.

Background

Events of the last several years have highlighted the persistent and systemic ways that both innate and institutional racism have deprived Black, Hispanic, Native American, and other people of color of reaching their full potential in education, health, and economic development; and is depriving North Central Massachusetts of strong, active, and inclusive relationships between a diversity of residents.

Racial Equity Advisory Committee

Chair: Leona Whetzel, Fitchburg

Chair: Sergio Paez, Leominster

Charisse Murphy, Ayer

Donata Martin, Orange

Ed Denmark, Shirley

Lucy Crocker Abisalih, Merrimac

Miggie Velez, Fitchburg

Sheila King-Goodwin, Worcester

Steve Adams, Holden

Sue Lotz, Groton

Ted Lapres, Santa Fe

Objective

Advancing racial justice and equity by providing grants to nonprofit organizations that work to serve and empower communities of color and address systemic and institutional racism.

Examples include:

• Youth empowerment
• Social justice
• Awareness, education, and training around implicit and explicit racial bias in employment, services, and community engagement
• Innovation programs or approaches that serve and empower communities of color and address systemic and institutional racism

Support

The 2024 North Central Massachusetts Racial Equity Grant Program was made possible by the generous support of Ted and Connie Lapres, Lucy Crocker Abisalih and Sue and Bob Lotz and the Board of Trustees of the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts,