Wellspring House Receives $50,000 ''Make a Difference Dollars'' Award from the Cummings Foundation

For Immediate Release (July 15, 2026) - Wellspring House received a wonderful surprise earlier this week - a $50,000 unrestricted gift from the Cummings Foundation through its “Making a Difference Dollars” program which recognizes grantee organizations for exceptional community impact.

Wellspring was nominated by longtime Cummings Foundation Site Visit Committee volunteers Barbara Layne and Betsy Harper, who spent time at Wellspring this spring learning about the organization's new digital literacy program, embedded directly within its ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes. Built on the understanding that English proficiency and technology skills together drive economic mobility, the program offers dual-language instruction in partnership with MassHire Metro North and, in its first year, provided over 100 computers and 70 internet hotspots to students at no cost. The site visit committee was so moved by what they saw and so attuned to the financial challenges a program like this can face, that they recommended Wellspring for this additional support. They presented the award to Melissa Dimond, Wellspring's President and Executive Director, on Monday afternoon, July 13.

In sharing the news, Barbara and Betsy spoke about what struck them most: Wellspring's deep commitment to meeting each person where they are and helping them find their own financial footing, whatever challenges stand in the way. From affordable housing to financial counseling to partnerships with local businesses, the passion and dedication of the Wellspring team stayed with them and made clear what a vital resource the organization is for 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 gift builds on the Foundation's multi-year commitment to Wellspring, which totals more than $300,000. The Cummings Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Greater Boston and beyond, and its continued partnership recognizes Wellspring's impact throughout the community.

Financial security is the foundation for a healthy, self-determined life, yet for too many North Shore families that path is blocked by interconnected barriers no single program can solve alone. Wellspring inspires families and adults to achieve employment and financial security through stable housing, education, job training, and career readiness.

Because the Cummings Foundation’s Make a Difference Dollars are unrestricted, Wellspring can make strategic decisions, respond to emerging barriers, and sustain innovations like the digital literacy program. With the Cummings Foundation's continued partnership, Wellspring will expand access to education, job training, and career pathways, helping more North Shore families achieve the financial security they deserve.

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About Wellspring House 
Wellspring House inspires families, adults, and young adults throughout the North Shore to achieve employment and financial security through comprehensive, integrated programs in education, job training, career readiness, and housing stability. This year, Wellspring worked with more than 2,000 individuals across 20+ cities and towns, helping them build living-wage careers, and safer, more secure futures. Learn more at wellspringhouse.org. 

About Cummings Foundation 
Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings of Winchester, MA and has grown to be one of the largest private foundations in New England. The Foundation directly operates its own charitable subsidiaries, including New Horizons retirement communities in Marlborough and Woburn. Its corporate giving is primarily concentrated in Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties in Massachusetts. Cummings Foundation now awards at least $50 million each year, and has awarded more than $600 million to date.