LYNN — Camp Fire North Shore, Inc. received a $100,000 grant this week, allowing the youth programming organization — which serves Lynn and Salem students — to use the funds to support general operations, such as a portion of salaries for full-time staff, program supplies, and field trip expenses.
The funding will also support professional development opportunities for program staff and a financial aid fund for campers and after-school program attendees.
Camp Fire North Shore was one of 140 local nonprofits to receive grants through the Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program and was chosen as one of a total of 590 applicants during a competitive review process. The $100,000 grant will be distributed over three years.
Camp Fire North Shore, Inc. is an independent council affiliated with Camp Fire National — one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit youth development organizations.
The organization offers a variety of high-quality programming, including licensed before- and after-school programs, community learning centers, remote learning support programs, service learning for teens, club programs and a summer day camp. Located on the Lynn/Salem line, it provides programming in both cities’ public school districts.
“It’s an incredible honor to have been chosen as one of the 2021 $25 Million Grant Program recipients,” said Camp Fire North Shore Executive Director Laurie Hamill. “The funding provides us with a sense of security and stability, and will allow us to provide low-cost, high-quality out-of-school programming to local families for years.”
The Cummings $25 Million Grant Program supports Massachusetts nonprofits based in and primarily serving Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties.
Through this “place-based” initiative, the Cummings Foundation aims to give back in the area where it owns commercial buildings.
“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.
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 cities and towns.
“We have adopted a democratic approach to philanthropy, which empowers an impressive roster of dedicated volunteers to decide more than half of all our grants 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.”
The Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $300 million to greater Boston nonprofits. A complete list of 140 grant winners, as well as more than 800 previous recipients, is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.
