NEWS

06/10

The McPherson County Community Foundation recently awarded grants totaling $5,000 to local organizations. Funds for the grants were made possible by the Kansas Health Foundation’s Children’s Fund administered by the Community Foundation.

The MCCF Youth Advisory Council served as the selection committee for the 2010 spring grant round. The Youth Council consists of McPherson High and Middle School students. The purpose of the group is to grant funds for programs and projects focused on youth in McPherson County; work to educate donors and groups about the importance of philanthropy in our communities; and assist the MCCF Board of Directors with fund raising for youth programs.

Nearly $30,000 in requests from 21 different organizations was submitted for the MCCF Youth Advisory Council to review. The purpose of the fund is to provide a resource for projects focused on children and youth in McPherson County. Requests ranged from art education, sound system for tumbling and dance classes, playground equipment, renovation costs, and operating expenses.

Organizations and the programs selected were:

CASA: A Voice for Children, Inc. - $1200 to assist with operating funds for court-appointed special advocates to assist children up to age 18.

McPherson Special Olympics - $1,150 – to fund athletic opportunities for intellectually disabled children under the age of 18.

Prairie View, Inc., McPherson - $1,000 – continuation of autism support group for parents and caregivers of autistic children.

Heart to Heart, McPherson - $800 – operating funds to serve child victims by providing a trained forensic interviewer.

Disability Supports of the Great Plains - $500 – program development for teaching children with disabilities how to ride a two-wheel bicycle.

Visual Arts Alliance of McPherson - $350 – to assist with the spring art exhibit and a scholarship for McPherson County art student.

In addition to providing funding through the KHF Children’s Fund, the MCCF staff and Youth Council are working to find additional funding opportunities for programs not receiving funding with this round. One example is the 2010 McPherson Leadership class used the $1000 class money to fund the “Cacheing In On Health” program operated by the K-State Research and Extension office for middle school students.

“We feel the Youth Council did a fantastic job of reviewing the applications and selecting the recipients,” stated Sharon Long, MCCF Program Officer. “We know they wanted to do more and that’s why we are looking for additional funding options. The grant used to assist the ‘Cacheing’ program are a good example of how we are working to connect donors with projects.”

The next grant round for children and youth programs will be announced in September 2010. For additional information, contact the McPherson County Community Foundation office at 620.245.9070 or via email at info@mcphersonfoundation.org.