We are pleased to announce that Family ACCESS is one of the 100 local non-profits to receive grants of $100,000 each through the Cummings Foundation’s “$100k for 100” program. The Newton-based organization was chosen from a total of 479 applicants during a very competitive review process. Family ACCESS empowers and strengthens families and the community by providing programs that nurture child development, promote effective parenting skills and supports working parents. Our name reminds us of the doors that open, and the rich journeys that result, when children and families have access to the very best education-based resources and programs.

“We are incredibly proud that our hard-working teachers and educated staff have earned such a wonderful recognition of their hard work and determination to help all children succeed. We are going to use this money to strengthen our programs even further,” says Jon Firger, Executive Director of Family ACCESS, “We plan to use this money to enhance and develop our child and family programs throughout Newton, Waltham and surrounding communities.”

The $100k for 100 program supports non-profits that are not only based in but primarily serve Middlesex, Essex and Suffolk counties. This year, the program is benefitting 41 different cities and towns within the Commonwealth.

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. Founded in 1970 by Bill Cummings of Winchester, the Woburn-based commercial real estate firm lease and managers more than 10 million square feet of space. The majority of which exclusively benefits the foundation.

“We admire and very much appreciate the important work that non-profits like Family ACCESS are doing in the local communities where our colleagues and clients live and work,” said Joel Swets, Cummings Foundation’s executive director. “We are delighted to support their efforts.”

This year’s diverse group of grant recipients represents a wide variety of causes of causes, including education, homelessness prevention, elder services, healthcare, and food insecurity. Most of the grants will be paid over two to five years.

The complete list of 100 grant winners is available at www.cummingsfoundation.org.