North Shore's Wellspring House Gets $50K Cummings Foundation Gift

The North Shore-based Wellspring House received a $50,000 unrestricted gift from the Cummings Foundation earlier this week through the foundation's “Making a Difference Dollars” program, which recognizes grantee organizations for community impact.

The award was presented to Melissa Dimond, Wellspring's president and executive director, on July 13.

Longtime Cummings Foundation Site Visit Committee volunteers Barbara Layne and Betsy Harper nominated Wellspring after visiting this spring and learning about the organization's digital literacy program.

The program is embedded in Wellspring's ESOL, or English for Speakers of Other Languages, classes and is based on the idea that English proficiency and technology skills together support economic mobility.

The organization said the program offers dual-language instruction in partnership with MassHire Metro North.

In its first year, the program provided more than 100 computers and 70 internet hotspots to students at no cost. The site visit committee recommended Wellspring for the additional support after seeing the program and recognizing the financial challenges it can face.

Layne and Harper said they were most struck by Wellspring's commitment to meeting each person where they are and helping them find financial footing despite challenges.

They pointed to Wellspring's work in affordable housing, financial counseling and partnerships with local businesses as signs of its role in the community.

"This was a wonderful and very generous surprise," said Dimond. "We are very grateful to the Cummings Foundation for their ongoing support and belief in our work."

The $50,000 gift adds to the Cummings Foundation's multi-year support of Wellspring, which the announcement said totals more than $300,000. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Greater Boston and beyond, and the continued partnership recognizes Wellspring's impact throughout the community.

Wellspring House said financial security is central to a healthy, self-determined life, but many North Shore families face interconnected barriers that no single program can address alone. The organization said it works to help families and adults achieve employment and financial security through stable housing, education, job training and career readiness.

Wellspring this year said it worked with more than 2,000 people across more than 20 cities and towns.