Foundation announces deadlines

Friday, June 27, 2008

The Putnam County Community Foundation has announced that nearly $35,000 is available through its second of two grant cycles for 2009 to fund charitable projects and matching endowment grants, plus an additional $25,000.00 designated for projects benefiting the terminally ill and their families in Putnam County.

Preliminary grant applications are due to the Community Foundation office by Aug. 1for general charitable projects and projects benefiting the terminally ill and their families. Applications are due Sept. 1 for non-profits, churches and units of government wishing to apply for matching grants to start or build an endowment.

The mission of the foundation is broad and includes support of all charitable activities in Putnam County. However, based upon community research, funding priority will be given to organizations serving Putnam County citizens in six areas: Increasing literacy and educational attainment, combating obesity and promoting fitness, increasing economic development, supporting senior citizens, non-profit capacity building, and increasing access to transportation.

Applications will be evaluated based upon project innovativeness, community impact, and the ability of the organization to accomplish the project.

Applications are also being accepted for charitable projects serving the terminally ill and their families. Funds for this general purpose are derived from an endowment at the foundation established to support this field of interest and the application process is the same for these grants with a preliminary application required.

Matching grants are available for an organization's existing or soon-to-be-created endowment at the Community Foundation. These grant applications are due to the foundation office by Sept. 1. Organizations applying must set a goal for their endowment building campaign and have a plan to successfully complete the goal.

If awarded a grant, organizations will be able to have contributions to their endowments matched $1 from the foundation for every $2 raised as soon as Dec.1.

All charitable organizations are eligible to apply, including 501(c)(3) non-profits, churches and units of government. The application is one-page, front and back, with only one attachment. This opportunity is created out of the foundation's commitment to support local charitable organizations and help them become self-sustainable through an endowment and planned giving.

Community foundation staff members are available to help organizations and individuals establish endowments for this purpose.

In general, grants from the foundation will not be made to the following: Individuals; projects that do not serve Putnam County citizens; projects normally fully funded by units of government; the building or funding of an endowment outside of the foundation; salaries, rent and utilities; religious activities or programs that serve only one denomination; political organizations or campaigns; national or state-wide fund raising projects which do not directly benefit local citizens; projects that could be considered discriminatory; projects operated by for-profit companies; and projects requesting retroactive funding.

The foundation welcomes all eligible organizations to apply. Contact the foundation office at 653-4978 or go online to www.pcfoundation.org to download or request an application.

For questions about the grants program and process, please call and ask for Eric Wolfe, community development director.

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