NEWS & stories

Featured Donors: Al and Sally Griggs

Photo of Al Griggs.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Al Griggs never intended to get involved in the humanities. But he’s sure glad he did.

“I was a Coca Cola bottler,” said Al. “Growing up and into early adulthood, I was acquainted with the humanities but didn’t focus on it—I mostly read nonfiction!”

Being on the board of Mass Humanities, though, has “opened my mind to so many other things. Philosophy, music, literature, art, history—all those things that make us human.”

And Al, along with his wife, Sally, are now only too happy to be involved with Mass Humanities and proud to support its work.

“Too few people understand the programs and the grant money that’s expended by Mass Humanities. It’s spectacular work that makes a real difference in people’s lives.”

Particularly the Clemente Course in the Humanities. “Massachusetts is an interesting place, in that there are an enormous number of museums, libraries, and colleges all around us—points of exposure to the humanities,” he said. “What has been so interesting and wonderful to see is how Mass Humanities, through Clemente, programs and grants, impacts people who otherwise wouldn’t have exposure to the humanities. That’s been remarkable.”

“In six years I’ve gotten a great deal of enjoyment from working with Mass Humanities. It’s not just about the money we give or that Mass Humanities gives out, it’s about making us all more aware of the humanities and how they can impact people’s lives–including my own.”

Related posts

Portrait of Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass and African American Uses of Communal Celebration and Truth-telling as Modes of Resisting Oppression and Creating Public Memory By Desiree Taylor 2023 Reading

Read

On June 28, we gathered in Holyoke at Mill 1 Events for “The Future of Storytelling,” a two-part workshop and reception that celebrated our 50th

Read

“Frederick Douglass is my hero,” says Boston resident Nancy Ahmadifar. The first time she attended a reading of “What to the Slave is the Fourth

Read

stay
connected

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an opportunity to connect, learn and share within the humanities.
Sign Up
  • Newest to Oldest
  • A-Z
Year
  • 2024
  • 2020
  • 2021
  • 2022
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 1999
  • 2001
  • 2002
  • 2000
  • 2023
  • 2015
  • 2003
Grant Program
  • READING FREDERICK DOUGLASS TOGETHER
  • 2020 SUPPORT GRANTS
  • BRIDGE STREET SPONSORSHIPS
  • DIGITAL CAPACITY GRANTS
  • DISCUSSION
  • EXPAND MASSACHUSETTS STORIES
  • RESEARCH INVENTORY GRANT
  • MAJOR
  • MASS HUMANITIES CARES ACT
  • MASS HUMANITIES SHARP GRANTS
  • MINI
  • MUSEUM ON MAIN STREET (MOMS) CROSSROADS
  • PROJECT
  • PROJECT-THE VOTE
  • PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT
  • PUBLIC SQUARED
  • RESOURCE CENTER
  • SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE
  • STAFFING RECOVERY
  • STAFFING THE HUMANITIES
  • STAFFING THE HUMANITIES - YEAR 2
Amount
  • < $2,000
  • $2,000 - $7,500
  • $7,500 - $20,000
  • > $20,000