There is $50,000 available for joint university-community projects that advance sustainability in Lowell. Proposals must align with the sustainability goals in UMass Lowell's 2020 Strategic Plan and the City of Lowell’s Sustainable Lowell 2025 Master Plan to be considered for funding.

Grants will be awarded in the $500 to $10,000 range. Green Community Partnership Grants are funded by a generous donation from Nancy Donahue to the university and matched by city and community partners.

Applications must be submitted by March 6, 2020 and a committee comprised of university and city officials will review the proposals. Two open house events will be held to provide more details on the initiative and to provide guidance and support on proposed projects.

Lowell Green Community Partnership Open House Events

• City of Lowell: Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, 5-7 p.m. at the Lowell Senior Center
• UMass Lowell: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, 6-8 p.m. at University Crossing, Room 490

Chancellor Jacquie Moloney and City Manager Eileen Donoghue will announce the grant recipients on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

About the Green Community Commission

The Green Community Commission will work in collaboration with university and city representatives to identify sustainability projects and priorities that will be of benefit to Lowell. Initial focus areas are expected to include renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions, transportation improvements, pollution prevention and resource protection, and the strengthening of community partnerships to pursue sustainability initiatives. This new Green Community Partnership will build on existing, successful university and community sustainability initiatives to create positive environmental, physical and fiscal benefits for the City of Lowell and educational and employment opportunities for its residents.

Co-chairs

• Jacquie Moloney, chancellor, UMass Lowell
• Nancy Donahue, philanthropist
• Eileen Donoghue, city manager, Lowell

Members

• Dan Abrahamson, energy manager, UMass Lowell
• Celeste Bernardo, superintendent, Lowell National Park Service
• Joel Boyd, superintendent, Lowell Public Schools
• Brian Chapman, president, Mill City Environmental
• Yun-Ju Choi, executive director, Coalition for a Better Acre
• Francesca Cigliano, assistant city planner, City of Lowell
• Mark Cochran, president, Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union
• Patty Coffey, director of community relations, UMass Lowell
• DJ Corcoran, executive director of government affairs, UMass Lowell
• Karen Frederick, CEO, Community Teamwork, Inc.
• Tom Golden, Jr., representative, Massachusetts General Court
• Chris Haley, solid waster and recycling coordinator, City of Lowell
• John Haley, president and CEO, Watermark
• Joe Hungler, executive director, Boys & Girls Club
• Alison Lamey, executive director, Lowell Plan
• Jay Linnehan, president, Greater Lowell Community Foundation
• Jay Mason, chair, Lowell Sustainability Council
• Patti McCafferty, vice chancellor of University Relations, UMass Lowell
• Tom Miliano, executive director of Administrative Services, UMass Lowell
• Katherine Moses, energy manager, City of Lowell
• Chris Niezrecki, professor, UMass Lowell
• LZ Nunn, executive director, Project Learn Inc.
• Ruairi O'Mahony, director of sustainability, UMass Lowell
• Juliette Rooney-Varga, professor, UMass Lowell
• Valeria Saldana, student, UMass Lowell
• James Sullivan, vice president, Align Credit Union
• Jessica Wilson, executive director, Mill City Grows
• John Wooding, emeritus professor, UMass Lowell

Partnership Commitments

• Anonymous donor: $10,000
• Align Credit Union: $5,000
• Greater Lowell Community Foundation: $5,000
• Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union: $5,000
• Lowell Plan: $5,000
• Lowell National Park: $2,500
• Mill City Environmental: $1,000