CLINTON COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANTS

Non-profit organizations awarded more than $154,000 during second half of 2012

December 17, 2012 — The Clinton County Community Foundation has awarded more than $154,000 in competitive grants during the second half of 2012. Combined with the first half total of $114,705 this brings the total of competitive grants awarded to more than $268,000 for the year.

"The nonprofit organizations in Clinton County offer a wide variety of services that improve the quality of life for our residents," said John Shoup, Chairman of the Clinton County Community Foundation Services Committee. "As a Foundation, the support we offer through our competitive grants process to these organizations is intended to produce a positive and sustainable change in our communities. Our donors have entrusted us with this responsibility, and we thank them for sharing their resources with us."

The following agencies and programs were awarded competitive grants:

$37,250 towards the purchase of The Frankfort Times building for the future site of the Ivy Tech Community College campus to be awarded equally to the following:

$18,625 to the City of Frankfort

$18,625 to the Clinton County Commissioners

$2,500 to the City of Frankfort will be used towards the purchase of Christmas decorations for the downtown area.

$2,000 to the City of Frankfort will provide partial support for the Frankfort Lagoons Fresh Start Program. Grant money will be used to purchase new signage, message board center and security equipment for use around the lagoons and fishing ponds.

$8,023 to the Clinton County Boys & Girls Club will be used to upgrade the organization's kitchen. They currently serve more than 900 children. With the kitchen upgrade, food preparation classes that include information about healthy snacks, portion control and balanced diets will be added.

$13,680 to the Clinton Co. Economic Advancement Foundation will be used to purchase a used mower to mow the rough area of the golf course in Frankfort.

$5,500 to the Crossing of Clinton County will be used towards counseling for students and their families during school hours and during scheduled Family Nights. Group sessions would be available covering topics that are appropriate to students including healthy relationships, making responsible decisions, social skills, coping with peer pressure/bullying and more.

$5,000 to Clinton Prairie High School will provide support for the Clinton County Battle of the Books program that is dedicated to improving literacy and fostering a love of reading among Clinton County students in grades 7-12. Grant money will be used to purchase a complete set of books for each team and cover the costs of the competitions. After the program is complete, the books are distributed to English classrooms to supplement curriculum and rejuvenate classroom libraries.

$6,480 to the Clinton Co. Family YMCA will be used to provide daycare for students with children who are attending the Adult Learning Center.

$1,925 to the Learning Network will provide support for the "Clinton County Career Development" project. Funding will be used for expenses associated with staging a career fair for all fifth graders in Clinton County. Additionally, grant money will be used to plan a program called "Plant the Seed."  The program will use college students to make ongoing, short visits to all second grade classrooms to "plant the seed" with the hope of inspiring each student to work to his or her fullest potential.

$4,450 to On-Stage Foundation will provide partial support to replace air conditioners and fan coils for the Red Barn Summer Theatre facility.

$29,900 to the United Way for Clinton County will provide support to fund Stage One of a project that will move water away from the building, seal off the interior basement entrance and add an outside entrance. This is a first step in preventing future moisture and mold issues inside the building.

$37,500 to Wesley Manor will provide funding to restore the facility’s therapy pool. Grant money will be used to assist in making repairs to the pool to eliminate water loss, exchange corroded and leaking metal water pipes with longer-lasting PVC pipe, add steps and railing inside the pool to make movement from one depth to another easier and safer for all users, and replace and install a new lift chair to allow entry into the pool for disabled persons and persons unable to safely use stairs. The pool is used by residents at Wesley Manor and open to the Clinton County community.

The Clinton County Community Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organization created in 1996. The mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life of the community through the accumulation and stewardship of enduring charitable gifts. For details about making a charitable gift or establishing a permanent endowment fund to benefit a charitable organization or interest in Clinton County, please contact the Community Foundation at (800) 964-0508 or visit the Web site at www.cfclinton.org.