Cummings
Foundation, Inc., is a private operating foundation based
in Woburn, Massachusetts. Since its establishment in 1986,
it has been primarily funded by Joyce and Bill Cummings of
Winchester, MA.
Cummings
Foundation has grown to become one of the largest charitable
foundations in New England, now with more than $900 million
in net assets.
The
Foundation owns and operates two large not-for-profit and
affordable independent and assisted living facilities with
abundant activities, gourmet dining, and delightful surroundings.
New Horizons at Choate and New
Horizons at Marlborough, collectively serve more than
500 senior residents.
Additionally,
the Foundation in 2005 finalized a $50 million collaboration
with the newly renamed Cummings
School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Through
this innovative partnership, the Foundation offers support
and financial resources to help enable the Cummings School
to sustain its global reputation for excellence in veterinary
medicine.
In
2011 the Foundation established a fourth major operating entity,
the Institute
for World Justice (IWJ). The new institute expects to
expand the Cummings/Hillel Program for Holocaust and Genocide
Education from Tufts University to a minimum of 10 other college
campuses.
Another
of Cummings Foundation's charitable programs is the McKeown
Scholars Program, through which the foundation annually awards
college scholarships to high school seniors in Woburn and
Winchester Massachusetts. The merit based program is designed
to encourage improvement in citizenship and writing ability
among college bound students. Since 1996 more than $1.5 million
in direct scholarship aid has been awarded in communities
where Cummings Properties does business.
The
Giving Pledge
In
May 2011, Bill and Joyce Cummings joined a new national organization
founded by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet, called
"The Giving Pledge." Currently comprised of about
70 individuals or couples, all members have publicly pledged
to donate at least half of their assets for philanthropic
purposes, either during their lifetime or upon their death.
All members either are billionaires or would be if they had
not already donated most of their wealth. Many, including
the Cummingses, have pledged that they will donate (or in their case
already have donated) 90 percent or more.
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The
organization does not promote any particular charities or
types of charities, and will not encourage any form of joint
or collective contributions. It is also 100 percent non-political,
although on July 18, 2011, the Cummingses along with the Gateses,
Buffet, and two dozen other Giving Pledge members did meet
in the White House. President Obama personally chaired the
meeting for two hours, with considerable discussion on how
philanthropy might better work with government agencies to
accomplish more.
One
fairly common interest among Giving Pledge members is investments
in education, including K - 12 education in public schools.
Obviously, our communities and our country become stronger
and more competitive when youth are better prepared to thrive
in innovative areas with opportunities for growth.
Grant
Requests
Cummings
Foundation's new affiliate is OneWorldBoston, a grant-making
organization established in 2011. Details about the grant
application process are available on the Grant Application section of this website.
Please
note that, as an operating foundation, Cummings Foundation
is not in a position to accept grant requests. As such, all
requests should be directed to OneWorldBoston through its
formal grant application process. |
