COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF HOWARD COUNTY AWARDS GRANTS

Non-profit organizations awarded more than $107,800 during first half of 2017

July 7, 2017 -- The Community Foundation of Howard County has awarded more than $107,800 in competitive grants during the first half of 2017.

"These grants awarded from our unrestricted community endowment funds have a positive community impact," said Joe Dunbar, chairman of the Community Foundation of Howard County Grants Committee. "Each project supported helps to improve the quality of life in our community. Our donors had this in mind when they entrusted us with their contributions. We thank our donors for their foresight and thank the nonprofit organizations for developing services that are accessible and meaningful."

The following agencies and programs were awarded grants:

$12,500 to Coordinated Assistance Ministries supports plumbing repairs for Serena House.  This includes $7,500 in matching funds that will be used for the electrical upgrades for the home.  The facility provides supervised temporary housing assistance to young women in a family-style home setting. 

$15,000 to Carver Community Center provides partial funding for the "Youth STEAM Integration/70th Anniversary Promotional" project.  This includes a Community Recognition Banquet, and marketing materials and supplies for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) activities. The STEAM activities will be integrated into Carver's art and informal education programs, and in the inaugural summer youth camp.

$4,000 to Family Service Association supported the 2017 Prevent Child Abuse Annual Conference.  Grant money helped to cover the costs of the conference that provides education and inspiration to youth workers in Howard County who provide critical services to youth. 

$2,500 to Food Finders Food Bank provides funding for start-up costs for a Senior Grocery Program in Howard County. Funds will be used for food and outreach efforts for the new program that will serve low-income seniors.  The program will provide food resources that are nutritious, easy-to-prepare and shelf stable. 

$10,000 to Gilead House provides partial support for the "Recovery Support Services" project.  The program provides in-house mental health and addiction counseling/treatment, as well as housing for up to 20 women.  Grant money will also be used for staff training.

$25,000 to the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance for the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association will be used to create four themed public art attractions in alleys in downtown Kokomo. These include Artist Alley, Garden Alley, Geek Alley and Depot Park Alley.  Grant money will be used to design and construct the alleys for the art venues. The project will allow art-based gathering spaces for residents and visitors to experience many facets of art in the areas of performance art, musical concerts, fine art, audio art, visual art and industrial art. The project provides for numerous planned partnerships and learning opportunities for all ages, including at-risk youth.   

$3,000 to the Kokomo Humane Society supports the implementation of a mobile adoption unit that will enable the Humane Society to complete offsite adoptions. Equipment purchased includes a computer, printer and furniture. Expanding the adoption program will give the Humane Society a stronger presence in the community and could increase the number of pets adopted.

$3,800 to the Kokomo Park Band supports the 2017 summer concert season. Grant money will be used for artistic personnel, guest conductor fees, marketing and musical arrangements.

$7,495 to Kokomo School Corporation will purchase instrument-based vision screening equipment for the Head Start Program. The device uses automated technology and can evaluate the structure of the eye that can affect a student's ability to learn. 

$5,000 to the Kokomo Symphonic Society provided support for the Cartoon Madness concert.  Costs covered included conductor fees, musicians, music rental, license fees, projection fees, venue rental and marketing expenses.

$2,500 to the National Inventors Hall of Fame will provide support for the Camp Intervention STEM Program at Western Intermediate School and Boulevard STEM Elementary School.  Grant funds will provide scholarships for up to 20 underserved Howard County children to attend a week long summer enrichment program.

$5,000 to the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana provides support for lodging for Howard County families so they can be near their hospitalized child. 

$2,044 to Samaritan Caregivers will provide support for the "Help & Hope for Needy Seniors" project.  Grant money will be used to create a video featuring the success stories of the past 20 years and marketing materials to create awareness and encourage people to volunteer.

$10,000 to Servants at Work will be used to build 10 ADA specific wooden wheelchair ramps in Howard County. All work is completed by volunteers from Howard County SAWs groups, Howard County Outreach and the Crossing School.   

The Community Foundation of Howard County, Inc. was formed as a not-for-profit public charity in March 1991. The Foundation seeks to serve donors and make grants to benefit the citizens of Howard County. For more information about the Community Foundation, contact Greg Aaron at 765-454-7298 or greg@cfhoward.org. The Web site www.cfhoward.org contains information about making gifts to endowment funds, scholarships and grantmaking.