WOBURN — More than 250 guests attended the Cummings Foundation’s annual $100K for 100 grant program announcement in which the Woburn-based organization awards $10 million each year to 100 area nonprofits. Gov. Charlie Baker attended the event, which was held at the 128 Trade Building in Woburn.

The Cummings Foundation was started by Joyce and Bill Cummings in 1986 as a way to give back to the community.

This place-based philanthropic initiative primarily supports nonprofits in the Massachusetts counties where the Foundation and its founders originally derived their funds and where staff and clients of the Cummings organization live – Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk County.

Begun in 2012 as a pilot program with 60 grants, $100K for 100 has since announced 100 grants of $100,000 each, annually. Most grants are disbursed over two to five years, depending on the size and needs of the organization. Through $100K for 100 and its other grant programs, the Foundation has awarded more than $170 million in recent years.

at the 128 Trade Building in Woburn

All photos by Bill Brett