COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF HOWARD COUNTY AWARDS GRANTS

Non-profit organizations awarded more than $105,800 during first half of 2016

Aug. 9, 2016 -- The Community Foundation of Howard County has awarded more than $105,800 in competitive grants during the first half of 2016.    

“These grants are awarded from our unrestricted community endowment funds,” said Joe Dunbar, chairman of the Community Foundation of Howard County Grants Committee. “Unrestricted funds are used to meet pressing and changing needs in the community. Through this community-led philanthropy, grants can be made that improve education, economic opportunity and the quality of life.  We thank our donors for taking a leap of faith and committing to this permanent, self-sustaining source of funding.”

The following agencies and programs were awarded grants:

$25,000 to Bona Vista Programs will be used to expand the Keys for Kids preschool program and open another preschool classroom.  The grant will provide scholarships for children in need of high quality preschool programming and needed classroom supplies and materials for the new classroom. 

$20,000 to Bridges Outreach will be used to help purchase a school bus and two 15-passenger vans. The bus and passenger vans are used to take Bridges' students to retreats, museums, community service projects and recreational reward trips throughout the year. 

$500 to Down Syndrome of Indiana will provide partial support for parent packet’s in Howard County that provide accurate, up-to-date information to help reduce stress felt by new parents when receiving a diagnosis of Down Syndrome. 

$10,000 to Family Service Association of Howard County will provide support for the "Strategic Planning and Rebranding" project.  Grant money will be used to cover the costs of hiring a facilitator to help in the strategic planning session and update materials.

$1,372 to the Greentown Historical Society will be used to purchase computer equipment for a photo archival project. The project will allow patrons increased access and ensures long-term preservation of the digitized photo collection.

$1,500 to the Greentown Public Library supports bringing acclaimed author Philip Gulley to speak to an audience of Howard County residents in celebration of Indiana’s Bicentennial. Gulley is known for his folksy and hope-filled stories of Indiana.

$5,000 to the Kokomo Civic Theatre provides partial support for Cole Porter's musical masterpiece, "Kiss Me Kate" performance. To celebrate Indiana's Bicentennial, Kokomo Civic Theatre and Kokomo Symphony Orchestra will present Kiss Me Kate as a free performance at the Arts Pavilion in Foster Park on Aug. 26 and 27.

$5,000 to the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library provides partial support for the "Discover Tech: Engineers Make a World of Difference" exhibit.  As one of eight libraries selected nationally to host the museum-caliber exhibit, the programming component includes field trips for students, after-school and out-of-school events for children, teens, and families, and a science immersion event for girls.

$600 to the Kokomo Humane Society will provide partial support to help purchase computer equipment for the office.

$3,800 to the Kokomo Park Band will be used to off-set expenses that will provide top quality live music performances at no charge to residents of Kokomo, Howard County and many surrounding counties. Senior citizens as well as youth and families are served by the concert series throughout the season.   

$5,000 to the Literacy Coalition of Kokomo-Howard County will be used to purchase books needed to begin the Reading Rabbits program.  The program aims to increase literacy skills by putting books in the hands of parents/caregivers to help children develop reading skills needed for academic success prior to kindergarten. Skills include interest in books, vocabulary, alphabet knowledge, narrative skills, the ability to handle a book and follow words on a page, and phonic awareness.

$10,000 to Project Access Howard County will be used to provide hearing aids at a reduced cost for Project Access clients.  Funds will also be used to cover shipping and ear molds for the clients served through the program.  

$15,000 to Sagamore Council, Boy Scouts of America will be used to build capacity focusing on the retention of youth at the troop and pack levels.  

$3,075 to the Town of Russiaville will be used to help purchase benches, a flagpole for the Community Center, hanging street banners and spring flowering bulb planting. The benches will be placed at locations easily accessible to bikers and walkers on the Around the Town Trail. 

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 Hilda Burns at 765-454-7298 or hilda@cfhoward.org. The Web site www.cfhoward.org contains information about making gifts to endowment funds, scholarships and grantmaking. s at 765-454-7298 or hilda@cfhoward.org. The Web site www.cfhoward.org contains information about making gifts to endowment funds, scholarships and grantmaking.