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PCCF awards more than $176,000
An early morning crowd celebrated the Putnam County Community Foundation's 2009 spring grant awards at the Area 30 Career Center, where it was announced that more than $176,000 would be awarded from the Community Foundation's unrestricted endowments.
Elaine Peck, Executive Director, thanked Scobee Well Drilling for sponsoring the event and recognized individuals and organizations who have given unrestricted gifts to the Community Foundation, making these grants possible.
"Without individuals and organizations such as Dave and Lynn Bohmer, Art Evans, and Old National, the Community Foundation would not be able to have the impact in the community that it does."
Steve Setchell, Chair of the Community Foundation's grants committee also thanked donors to the unrestricted endowment, noting that due to their generosity, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $1.8 million in unrestricted grants since inception.
"This really is the best day of the year to be on the grants committee," Setchell said.
Several of the grant recipients took a few moments to tell the audience about their organizations and why giving to the community foundation is worthwhile.
The Rev. Brice Leblanc spoke on behalf of the New Providence Baptist Church Food Pantry. The $2,000 from the foundation not only helped purchase food for the 599 families the pantry served from January to May, but the organization was able to add guttering and sidewalks to the building, making it much more accessible.
"Because our pantry is run solely on donations, it's hard to keep up with the ever-growing need," Leblanc said.
PCPL director Alice Greenberg spoke for Friends of the Library, which received a $5,000 endowment builder grant. She spoke of the friends' purpose in supporting the programming at the library through volunteerism and fundrasing.
Finally, Jacob Williams told of his Eagle Scout project to build a potting shed at Hope's Way. The organization received a $500 grant for the project. Not only will it give the handicapped children the chance to plant flowers, it will also provide Williams the chance to complete his iagle scout requirements.
Each year the Community Foundation awards grants in the spring and fall for charitable projects that improve the lives of Putnam County citizens. Three different types of grants are awarded: Community Grants, Endowment Builder Grants and Youth Philanthropy Grants. Each has its own application and requirements.
The spring 2009 Community Grants recipients are:
* Citizen's Advisory Council for Industrial Development -- $16, 250 to support economic development activities in Putnam County.
* College Mentors for Kids -- $1,000 to provide after school mentoring programs. The grant was mad possible by the Dr. Robert Faber Endowment for Education.
* Family Support Services, Inc. -- $1,000 to hire an organizational consultant for strategic planning.
* The Family, Youth and Community Development Program, Inc. -- $4,500 to provide six computer workstations, educational software, some new furniture and musical instruments for the community center. The grant was made possible in part by the Bohmer Family Fund.
* Johnson Nichols Health Clinic -- $4,000 to provide pharmaceuticals for needy Putnam County clients. The grant was made possible by the Lyon Family Fund.
* New Providence Baptist Church Food Pantry -- $2,000 to purchase food for needy Putnam County families. The grant was made possible by the Old National Fund.
* St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Non-Food Pantry -- $1,000 to purchase non-food items for the monthly distribution. The grant was made possible by the Art Evans Family Fund.
Prior year grant commitments include:
* Ivy Tech -- $100,000 to meet building and technology needs of the new Greencastle campus.
* Knoy Resource Center -- $5,000 to support the programs and administration of the Knoy Resource Center, which increases educational attainment through connecting youth and adult learners to educational resources and skills workshops.
* Putnam County Cancer Center -- $25,000 to support operations and services of the cancer center and help build an endowment of the long-term sustainability of the center.
* Putnam County Rural Transit -- $10,000 to provide affordable public transportation in Putnam County.
Endowment Builder grants totaled $5,000. These awards match contributions to a charity's endowment, where the Community Foundation contributes one dollar for every two dollars contributed by the public. Eligible organizations include any 501(c)(3) non-profit, church or unit of government. An endowment is an important part of a diversified funding stream necessary for a charitable organization's long-term success. Friends of the Library, received a grant of $5,000, which could give them a $15,000 endowment.
Youth Philanthropy Grants awarded totaled $1,000 These grants are for youth-led community service projects up to $500.00 each. The spring 2009 Youth Philanthropy Grant recipients are:
* Putnam County Public Library -- $500 to assist a DePauw student and Hartman Center intern to teach stained glass art classes at the library.
* Hope's Way -- $500 to assist an eagle scout to construct a potting shed at Hope's Way where handicapped children can plant flowers.
The Putnam County Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity established in 1985 to administer funds, award grants and provide leadership, enriching the quality of life and strengthening community in Putnam County. The Community Foundation administers more than 184 funds for donors supporting a variety of charitable causes. For more information about the Community Foundation grants programs or to inquire about a grant application, contact Eric Wolfe at 653-4978 or visit www.pcfoundation.org