BOSTON, MA – The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute (LDBPI) is one of 140 local non-profits to receive grants of $100,000 to $500,000 each through the Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program. The Greater Boston-based organization was chosen from a total of 590 applicants during a competitive review process. The LDBPI will receive $100,000 over 3 years. 

Their programs and services are grounded in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) social-ecological framework that interventions are needed at multiple levels to interrupt cycles of violence. The heart of the LDBPI work is with families impacted by murder on both sides. Their impact extends to community and society through services, advocacy and training. 

“This generous grant gives people who have been formerly incarcerated an opportunity to rejoin society and create a positive impact in their families and community,” said Milton Jones, LDBPI Director of Community Re-entry Preparation Services. 

With these grant funds, the LDBPI will hire a Re-entry Services Coordinator who will be instrumental in helping people who have been formerly incarcerated become acclimated with the services and expand programmatic reach, as well as hire Mentors who will work directly with participants to support them in the three-year program. 

The Cummings $25 Million Grant Program supports Massachusetts non-profit organizations 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 then selected to have their grants elevated to 10-year awards ranging from $200,000 to $500,000 each. 

“We have adopted a democratic approach in philanthropy, which empowers an impressive roster of dedicated volunteers to decide more than half of our grant winners each year,” says 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 non-profits are spread across 43 different cities and towns. 

The complete list of 140 grant winners, plus more than 800 previous recipients, is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org. 

Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $300 million to greater Boston non-profits. 

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About the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute 

The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute (LDBPI), founded in 1994, after the murder of 15 year old Louis D. Brown serves a Center of Healing, Teaching and Learning for families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief and loss. The vision of the LDBPI is to create and sustain an environment where all people are valued and all families can live in peace. Additional information is available at https://ldbpeaceinstitute.org/ 

About the Cummings Foundation 

Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings and has grown to be one 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.  Additional information is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.