Grants from the Community Foundation have exceeded $900,000 so far in 2019.
“We’re excited to be able to support numerous wonderful programs, projects and initiatives throughout our region,” said Hale Walker, grants committee chair. “It’s been a busy year reviewing funding opportunities that align with our new priority areas of Community and Economic Growth and Prosperity as well as College, Career and Life Success.”
Just over 25% of grant funding to date addresses the Community Foundation’s number one priority area of Community & Economic Prosperity. The largest grant went to support to the City of Port Huron for renovations at the McMorran Plaza, which will feature the region’s first permanent outdoor ice rink. You can read more about this exciting project here.
Our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) gave its largest grants to organizations that focus on their number one strategic priority of Mental Health. Difference Makers was awarded $16,058 for their After School Mentoring Program and Bridge Builders Counseling received $11,573.32 to support the Mentoring Matters program.
Our Blue Water Arts Committee helped fund the 20th Anniversary Lexington Bach Festival with a $17,500 grant. This year’s festival will include The Festival Orchestra, led by Music Director John Thomas Dodson, as they perform Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, featuring Caroline Goulding and others. For more information on the festival, click here.
Our St. Clair based funds approved a $50,000 grant to the City of St. Clair to help rebuild the Imagination Station playground on Carney Road. The St. Clair City Council recently announced the $240,000 rebuild will be done by Play By Design. Below is a picture of an example of a Play By Design project.
“Our donors and their funds make grants twelve months a year to organizations and causes they are passionate about,” said Mike Cansfield, board chair. “We are happy to be able to connect our donors to a wide spectrum of opportunities in our region.”
Some other highlights of the Community Foundation Grants this year include:
- $20,000 Howard St Habitat for Humanity Home- from our Ernest T. and Barabara A. Oskin Fund and James C. Acheson Fund II
- $30,000 Women’s Initiative Tuition Assistance Program
- $10,000 Wonderful News Radio to support their new location south of the river in Port Huron
- $10,000 St. Clair Little League from our Charles F. Moore Memorial Fund
- $10,000 at N River Park & $9,000 at Faith Lutheran for multi-purpose courts
For a full list of grants click here.