Community Foundation awards more than $82,000 at fall grants breakfast

Saturday, December 3, 2011
Individuals and organization representatives celebrate the Putnam County Community Foundation's Friday morning announcement of its 2011 fall grant awards, totaling more than $82,000.

An early morning crowd Friday celebrated the Putnam County Community Foundation's 2011 fall grant awards in the Community Room of Area 30 Career Center, where it was announced that $82,380 was awarded from the Community Foundation's unrestricted endowments.

Even in the midst of financial instability of 2011, the Community Foundation was able to award grants totaling $189,901.96 from its unrestricted and field of interest endowments.

Elaine Peck, executive director, recognized individuals and organizations who have given unrestricted gifts to the Community Foundation, making these grants possible.

"Without individuals and organizations that make unrestricted gifts and start unrestricted endowments, the Community Foundation would not be able to have the impact in the community that it does today."

Peck also thanked Old National Bank for sponsoring the event.

Susan Price, who chairs 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 $2 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.

Three different types of grants are awarded: Community Grants, Endowment Builder Grants and Youth Philanthropy Grants. Each has its own application and requirements. Attendees had the opportunity to hear about one grant project in each of the three areas.

Steve Setchel presented the work of Putnam RISE to bring energy conservation to the forefront of Putnam County. Robert Steele of the Cloverdale Community Dollars for Scholars told how important the Foundation's support is through the Endowment Builders Program, which matches the funds that an organization raises for its endowment. The Foundation matches one dollar for every two dollars that is raised during an Endowment Builder Project.

Rod Weinschenk, president of the Putnam Friend of Youth Foundation, which runs Camp Friend, told of the plans for re-establishing the camp. The Foundation's Youth Philanthropy Committee has helped fund two Eagle Scout projects, which have benefited Camp Friend.

Evan Scott told of his project to build more than 480 feet of split-rail fencing at the camp. Evan is a member of Greencastle Boy Scout Troop 99. The second project is headed up by Scott Duggan from Boy Scout Troop 93,which replaces the old restroom facilities with environmentally friendly composting toilets.

Community Grants awarded totaled $80,000. The fall 2011 Community Grants recipients are:

-- $15,000 A-Way Home Shelter matching grant. Foundation will match dollar for dollar funds raised to reopen the shelter.

-- $5,000 Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. Provide weekend nutrition for food insecure children in Putnam County.

-- $5,000 North Putnam High School. Provide counseling services to students and families in the PAWS (Providing Alternative Ways for Success) program.

-- $5,000 Putnam County Giving Tree. Provide Christmas gifts for needy children in Putnam County.

-- $50,000 Putnam RISE. To encourage energy conservation in Putnam County by conducting home energy audits, home repairs and through school energy challenges.

The Youth Philanthropy Committee is comprised of 11 high school students and three adult members who make grants for youth-led community service projects. The maximum Youth Philanthropy grant is $500.

Youth Philanthropy grants awarded for the fall of 2011 totaled $2,380. The recipients are:

-- $500 Girl Scouts of Central Indiana. Make repairs to picnic tables, doors, basketball goals and plant flowers at the Roachdale Park.

-- $500 Putnam Friend of Youth (Camp Friend). Eagle Scout project of Scott Duggan to construct restrooms using composting toilets.

-- $380 Reelsville United Methodist Church. Eagle Scout Project to create a courtyard for community use led by Brayden Watson.

-- $500 Cloverdale High School Student Council. Provide Christmas presents, coats and gloves to needy children.

-- $500 Putnam Friend of Youth (Camp Friend). Eagle School Project to construct 480 feet of split rail fencing at Camp Friend. The project is headed by Evan Scott.

Endowment Builder Grants awarded totaled $20,000. To qualify for an Endowment Builder Grants an organization must have an existing endowment with the Community Foundation and submit a plan for increasing the endowment. Community Foundation matches $1 for every $2 that the organization raises.

The Endowment Builder Grants approved for the fall are:

-- $15,000 Cloverdale Community Dollars for Scholars. Cloverdale Community Scholarship Fund.

-- $5,000 Putnam County Museum. Putnam County Historical and Cultural Museum Endowment.

All eligible organizations are encouraged to apply for grants from the Community Foundation. For more information, persons contact Dean Gambill, community development director, at 653-4978.

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 Foundation administers more than 200 funds for donors supporting a variety of charitable causes.

For more information about the Community Foundation, visit www.pcfoundation.org.

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  • Great choices !

    -- Posted by NeverChanges on Sat, Dec 3, 2011, at 5:54 AM
  • Way to go everybody!!!!

    -- Posted by talkymom3 on Sun, Dec 4, 2011, at 11:14 PM
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