Pepperell, June 1, 2026 – The Fitzpatrick Collaborative has been selected as one of 150 nonprofits to receive funding through the Cummings Foundation’s annual grant program, which awarded $35 million this year. Chosen through a competitive review process that drew a record 959 applicants, the Pepperell-based organization will receive $150,000 over three years.
Photo provided by The Fitzpatrick Collaborative. Pictured: Craig Hansen, Melissa Settipani-Rufo, Bernadette Keegan, Stephen Lurvey, Lizzie Paquette, Leanne Hansen, Francesca Verri, Alyssa Vautier
The Fitzpatrick Collaborative is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering community engagement, lifelong learning, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity through innovative programs, partnerships, and shared community resources.
“This grant is a transformational investment in the future of the Fitzpatrick Collaborative and the greater Pepperell community,” said Melissa Settipani-Rufo, Executive Director of the Fitzpatrick Collaborative. “The funding will allow us to create a commercial kitchen and food hub that supports local entrepreneurs, small businesses, workforce development, and innovation. We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity to expand economic opportunity while creating a resource that will serve our community for years to come.”
This year, the Woburn-based Cummings Foundation increased its annual grant program from $30 million to $35 million and shifted to fully unrestricted funding, allowing recipients to direct grant dollars where they are needed most.
Foundation executive director and trustee Joyce Vyriotes noted that the changes reflect growing concerns among Greater Boston nonprofits about rising costs, increased demand for services, and sustained uncertainty around public funding.
“Nonprofit professionals are closest to the challenges facing their communities, making them best positioned to determine where and how new funds will drive the greatest impact,” said Vyriotes. “By providing increased, flexible funding, we hope to strengthen organizations’ long-term stability and help them respond to evolving community needs.”
This year’s grant recipients represent a wide range of causes, including housing and food insecurity, education, workforce development, healthcare, mental health services, social justice, immigrant support, and youth programming.
The annual grant program supports Massachusetts nonprofits that are based in and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties, as well as Brookline, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Quincy, and Wellesley.
Through this place-based initiative, Cummings Foundation reinvests in the areas where it owns commercial real estate. Its buildings are all managed at no cost to the Foundation by its affiliate, Cummings Properties, a Woburn-based commercial developer that leases and manages 11 million square feet of debt-free space. All rental profits support the Foundation.
Since its founding, Cummings Foundation has awarded more than $650 million to Greater Boston nonprofits. The complete list of this year’s grant recipients, along with additional information about the Foundation and its grant programs is available at CummingsFoundation.org.
About The Fitzpatrick Collaborative
The Fitzpatrick Collaborative (www.TheFitz.org) is a nonprofit community organization in Pepperell, Massachusetts, committed to creating opportunities that strengthen individuals, families, businesses, and the broader community. Through educational programs, recreation, workforce development initiatives, community events, and strategic partnerships, The Fitz serves as a hub for learning, connection, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The organization is dedicated to building a vibrant and resilient community by expanding access to resources, experiences, and opportunities that help people thrive.
About Cummings Foundation
Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings of Winchester, Mass., and has grown to become one of the largest private foundations in New England. In addition to its annual grant program, the Foundation directly operates two non-for-profit retirement communities: New Horizons at Marlborough and New Horizons at Choate, in Woburn. Additional information is available at CummingsFoundation.org.