Press Release: AANE Awarded Cummings Foundation Grant
Watertown, MA – May 27, 2020 – The Asperger/Autism Network (AANE) is thrilled to announce the receipt of a grant from the Cummings Foundation to fund initiatives that bring community, education, and support to parents of children, teens, and adults with Asperger/autism and similar neurodiverse profiles. AANE is one of 130 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 to $500,000 each through Cummings Foundation’s $20 Million Grant Program. The Watertown, MA organization was chosen from a total of 738 applicants during a competitive review process.
“The generous grant from the Cummings Foundation will allow us to continue to support parents of children, teens and adults with Asperger/autism profiles,” said AANE’s Executive Director Dania Jekel. “Parenting a child or adult who is neurodiverse presents a unique set of challenges and rewards in every aspect of life: from education, to housing, to social and work life. We are thankful for partners such as the Cummings Foundation who enable us to provide community, resources, and education to parents so they can in turn better support their children.”
The Cummings $20 Million Grant Program supports Massachusetts nonprofits that are based in and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties. 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.
This year’s diverse group of grant recipients represents a wide variety of causes, including homelessness prevention, affordable housing, education, violence prevention, and food insecurity. Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $280 million to greater Boston nonprofits. The complete list of 130 grant winners is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.
About AANE: The Asperger/Autism Network (AANE) helps people with Asperger’s and similar autism spectrum and neurodiverse profiles build meaningful, connected lives. AANE provides individuals, families, and professionals with information, education, community, support, and advocacy in an inclusive atmosphere of validation and respect. To learn more, please visit www.aane.org.
About Cummings Foundation: Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings. The Foundation directly operates its own charitable subsidiaries, including New Horizons retirement communities in Marlborough and Woburn, and Veterinary School at Tufts, LLC in North Grafton. Additional information is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.
Cummings Foundation Contact:
Alison Harding
Cummings Foundation
eah@cummings.com
781-932-7093
AANE Contact:
Cathy Aikman
Director of Marketing and Communications
cathy.aikman@aane.org
617-393-3824 ext. 230