Community foundation awards over $220,000 this fall

Saturday, December 5, 2009
The Putnam County Foundation awarded over $220,000 from it's unrestricted endowments in 2009. Recipients posed with Foundation board and staff and community members at a recent breakfast where checks were handed out.

GREENCASTLE--Ten months ago when the Area 10 Agency, Rural Transportation Program came to Putnam County they transported 929 people in the first month. In October that number had risen to 4,000. They are one of the many groups receiving grant money from the Putnam County Community Foundation this year.

An early morning crowd celebrated the Foundation's fall grant awards at the Area 30 Career Center Friday morning where they learned that more than $220,000 was awarded from the Foundation's unrestricted endowments in 2009. More than $57,000 was awarded this fall to new grantees.

"Without individuals and organizations such as Dave and Lynn Bohmer, Art Evans, the Lyon Family, Howard Moore and Old National Bank, the Community Foundation would not be able to have the impact in the community that it does today," stated Elaine Peck, Executive Director of the Foundation.

Donors to the unrestricted endowment have enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $1.8 million in unrestricted grants since its inception.

Each year the Community Foundation awards grants in the spring and fall for charitable projects that improve the lives of Putnam County citizens.

"This year their focus was on Urgent Human Relief. Applications are received in Feb and Aug for projects. A committee looks at the mission of the agency applying, the amount of money available and the impact of the project on the community," said Phyllis Rokicki, Grants Committee Co-Chairman.

Fall 2009 Community Grant recipients are: Area 10, Agency, Rural Transportation program for $10,000 to match federal grants and enable the purchase of a new bus that will be used exclusively for Putnam County.

Central Elementary Book-It Club for $500 to purchase books for students in the club. The Dr. Robert Farber Endowment made this grant possible.

Habitat for Humanity of Putnam County received $1,000 to purchase materials for their next home project in Bainbridge.

Hope Haven Horse Farm received $3,000 for scholarships to mentally and physically challenged students in the county for therapeutic riding lessons.

The Knoy Resource Center accepted $5,000 in support of their programs to increase educational attainment.

A check for $150 went to the Mental Health America of Putnam County to support the Bully Proof Your Child program.

A book entitled, "Peeler Pottery: How Appealing" received support in the amount of $1,000. The Putnam County Museum is publishing the book and selling it to raise money for their organization.

Return-A--Gift received $1,000 to purchase holiday gifts for underprivileged children in the county.

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Non-food Pantry received a $1,500 grant from the Putnam County Relief Fund, established by an anonymous donor to support urgent human relief. This donor is currently matching gifts made to the fund.

Total community grants equal $23,150 this fall.

Another set of grants entitled Endowment Builder grants are also given out by the Foundation. This year they totaled $33,116.39. These awards match contributions to a charity's endowment, where the Community Foundation contributes one dollar for every two dollars contributed by the public.

This means there is a potential for nearly $100,000 in endowments for these recipient organizations. 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 for a charitable organization's long-term success," explained Eric Wolfe, Putnam County Foundation Community Development Director.

The fall 2009 Endowment Builder Grant recipients are: Fillmore Christian Church for $15,616.39, Greencastle High School Band for $3,000, Greencastle Rotary for the Putnam County 4-H Fairgrounds for $4,000, Hope Haven Horse Farm for $4,000, Putnam County Comprehensive Services for $5,000 and Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District for $3,000.

Youth Philanthropy Grants awarded totaled $1,000. These grants are for youth-led community service projects. The fall 2009 recipient is St. Andrew's Church Non-food pantry for $1,000.

The Youth Philanthropy Committee will use monies to purchase items for the pantry from local retailers. They will then participate in a service project sorting and bagging items so the organization is ready on their monthly distribution day.

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.

They administer nearly 200 funds for donors supporting a variety of charitable causes. For information about the Community Foundation grants or to inquire about a grant application contact Eric Wolfe at 653-4978 or visit their Web site at www.pcfoundation.org.

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  • Although I have visited and enjoyed the Museum, I just can't see it falling under the category of Urgent Human Relief. Only $150 awarded to Mental Health America for its efforts to promote understanding and cessation of bullying, but $1000 to the Museum's efforts to publish a book about pottery? Seems pretty lop-sided to me, and leaning in the wrong direction.

    -- Posted by cll on Sun, Dec 6, 2009, at 10:46 PM
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