Women's Lunch Place honors Cummings Foundation at 2022 Spaghetti Dinner Gala

Cummings Foundation is a unicorn in the landscape of nonprofit philanthropy.

Since 1986, Joyce and Bill Cummings have donated a vast number of buildings managed by their thriving commercial real estate firm, Cummings Properties, to their foundation. An unprecedented move in the private sector, these donations established a reliable, ongoing revenue source—rental profits—to fund their philanthropy. In turn, the foundation has distributed over $375 million to Greater Boston charities. Additionally, they operate two award-winning assisted living communities, sponsor collegiate education programs, and contribute to Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery and rebuilding in collaboration with Partners In Health.

We are thrilled to announce Cummings Foundation as our 2022 Spaghetti Dinner honoree. Founded by Joyce and Bill Cummings, their mission aligns well with that of our women’s shelter and advocacy center. We focus on meeting the basic needs of our most vulnerable neighbors and equitably empowering the economic and social inclusion of all.

“We are so proud to be honored by Women’s Lunch Place at this year’s gala,” said Joyce Vyriotes, Executive Director at Cummings Foundation. “Their unique service model and low barrier to entry unlock a powerful impact for their community. We are excited to see them grow and refine their services in the years to come.”

Currently, Women’s Lunch Place is carrying out a 10-year, $300K grant from Cummings Foundation. This long-term gift supports our Advocacy services, through which guests can work closely with case managers to create individualized plans for increased health, stability, and financial independence. Our Advocates help guests secure permanent housing, prevent eviction, access legal aid, find shelter beds, obtain benefits, and seek employment, among other solutions to complex, long-term issues.

Thanks to support from like-minded donors and organizations such as Cummings Foundation, the Women’s Lunch Place Advocacy program was able to house 66 clients from homelessness in an extremely difficult market last year and without a private stock of housing to draw from. Our Housing Stabilization services ensure that newly housed women are still supported (via material assistance and case management) after they get the keys to their home.

This year, Cummings Foundation upped its local grant program from $25 million to $30 million in gifts to local nonprofits. We congratulate them on their growth and encourage all of our supporters to join us on Friday, October 21st, as we highlight their work, celebrate the 40-year history of Women’s Lunch Place, and build a foundation for the future.