Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I am eligible to participate?

Cummings Community Giving is open to:

• Long-term leasing clients of Cummings Properties
• Regular full-time employees of Cummings Properties and its affiliated New Horizons retirement communities in Marlborough and Woburn, as well as part-time colleagues with at least five years of seniority (staff members with at least 10 years of seniority may select two nonprofits for gifts of $1,000 each)
• Other valued associates of the Cummings organization, by invitation

What is the timeline for Cummings Community Giving?

Eligible clients will receive an email in late July inviting submissions, and donations will be processed in August. Eligible colleagues will receive an email in October inviting submissions, and donations will be processed the week of Thanksgiving. Other participants may be invited to participate on a rolling basis throughout the year.

How do I know whether the organization I select is a 501(c)(3)?

To determine whether your selected organization is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization, use Charity Navigator . Simply type the organization's name in the search bar, and verify that it is listed as IRS Subsection: 501(c)(3). Please contact Grants Coordinator Katie Torrey at kmt@cummings.com or 781-569-2335 with any questions.

Can more than one participant select the same charity?

Yes. Up to 15 participants may select the same nonprofit, allowing for a maximum of $15,000 in donations per organization per year. Do you want to multiply the impact for your chosen charity? Talk to other invited participants about their favorite nonprofits; if they do not have one, consider asking them to select yours! Once a nonprofit reaches its limit, however, additional participants selecting it will be contacted and asked to choose alternative nonprofits.

Can my donation go toward a nonprofit membership or tickets for a nonprofit event?

No. Although we hope Cummings Community Giving will encourage involvement with local nonprofits, participants are prohibited by law from accepting any tangible benefits in return for this donation, such as memberships, gifts, event tickets, tuition credits, etc.

Do I need to make a donation, too?

No. Cummings Community Giving does not require any contribution from the invited participant.

If I am a Cummings Properties employee with more than 10 years of seniority, do I have to pick two different nonprofits to receive $1,000 each or may I select one organization to receive $2,000?

In order to expand the benefit of this philanthropic program, we ask that colleagues select two different nonprofits to receive $1,000 each.

Can my selected nonprofit receive the donation via check instead of electronically via Bill.com?

To continue operating CCG at a large scale, we have had to implement streamlining measures, one of which was the elimination of paper checks. Bill.com is a free and secure service already used by many organizations; for first-time users, registration is simple. For many nonprofits, it will ultimately be more convenient. No more waiting for the letter carrier or for your turn at the bank!

The nonprofit I selected did not submit the form. Can I select another nonprofit?

If it’s before the deadline, absolutely! If the deadline has passed, however, we are unable to accept new submissions, as the small staff running the program must focus on the next step in the process.