The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is offering Children’s Services 2025 Discretionary Grants to support projects that serve children and young adults from birth through age 22. These grants aim to improve the quality of life for youth within the Greater Lowell area by funding eligible nonprofit organizations and other qualified entities. Each grant award may be up to $10,000, and multiple grants will be distributed during this cycle.

Applications will be evaluated based on the organization's size and its ability to meaningfully leverage the grant; the specific communities impacted; the organization's role within the Greater Lowell social services ecosystem; the strength of local collaborations; program reach, including populations and households served; and the financial health and leadership of the organization. Programs should clearly demonstrate a direct benefit to children or young adults and present a strong case for community impact.

Organizations eligible to apply must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or a qualified fiscal sponsor. Additionally, congregations, government entities, and educational organizations may apply. Applicants must serve at least one of the following Greater Lowell cities or towns: Acton, Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Lowell, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsborough, Westford, and Wilmington. Furthermore, all applicants must operate in a nondiscriminatory manner regarding race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or disability.

The 2025 application process will be conducted online. Applications will open on Tuesday, March 18 at 12:00 PM and must be submitted by Friday, April 11 at 12:00 PM. Funding decisions will be announced in mid-May. Organizations with multiple sites are required to submit a single, consolidated application.

Interested applicants should access the GLCF grants portal to begin their application. New users must create an account, while returning applicants may use their existing credentials. After logging in, users should select the 2025 Discretionary Grants Cycle from the menu. Helpful video tutorials are available on the portal to assist with the application process.

Questions about eligibility or the appropriateness of a proposed project can be directed via email to grants@glcfoundation.org. Early inquiries are encouraged, and GLCF may offer additional guidance via email or through a scheduled call.