Over $32,000 in grants awarded in Fall 2013

Over $32,000 in grants awarded in Fall 2013

The McPherson County Community Foundation announces grant distributions totaling $32,000 have been award to countywide organizations to assist area nonprofits further their missions.

Grant funds are made available by unrestricted and field of interest funds administered by the Foundation. During the 2012-13 fiscal year, the Foundation changed the granting process to a year-round program without restrictions on when to apply or how much a nonprofit organization may request. After making the change, the number of grants awarded by the Foundation increased from 28 grants totaling $36,000 in 2012 to 55 grants totaling $107,000 for the first nine months of 2013.

In addition to changing the request for proposal process, the Foundation implemented an option to apply online as of September 1, 2013. This has helped to streamline the application process and remove the need for multiple copies to be printed and mailed. Local organizations in need of funding assistance for programs or projects are encouraged to review the guidelines and apply online by visiting www.mcphersonfoundation.org.

Fall grant awards are:

Community Fund

Angel Tree through the McPherson County Resource Council – Christmas toys and clothing is provided to children who might otherwise not receive gifts. $3000.

Inman Community Center – grant to help purchase tables, chairs, kitchen equipment and other items for the new community center. $7500.

Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Fund

St. Joseph Catholic School –  to bring together data, resources, tools and expertise to positively impact teaching and learning by providing every student and teacher in all classrooms with access to Promethean ActivBoards and software. $3598.

McPherson High School Debate Team – to purchase laptops for the debate program as part of the paperless initiative. Paperless debate is becoming an economic, environmental, and organizational boost to any program that is able to use laptops for competition. $4000.

McPherson Family Life Center –  ParentLink – a program which supports and strengthens first-time parents in McPherson County by providing support through home visits. $9000.

Bethany Lutheran Church – A Wednesday after school program for children sponsored by Bethany and Messiah Lutheran churches. $500.

Special Olympics basketball, bowling and volleyball –  to register and transport local athletes for the annual Special Olympics competitions. $2000.

Children’s Fund of McPherson County

Quivira Council, Boy Scouts of America – Exploring Program: a career education program for young men and women ages 14 through 20 years old. It provides experience and helps youth investigate the meaning of interdependence in their personal relationships and communities. $3000.