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Foundation awards $44,334 in grants at PC fall breakfast
An enthusiastic crowd was greeted by Putnam County Community Foundation Executive Director Elaine Peck Friday in celebration of the Community Foundation's 2012 Fall Grant Awards.
The breakfast, provided by Putnam Inn, was held in the Community Room of Area 30, where it was announced that $44,334 was being awarded from the Community Foundation's unrestricted and field of interest endowments.
That sum brings the Community Foundation's total grants from its unrestricted fund to $187,863.31 for 2012. The event was sponsored by Old National Bank and Robert Hardwick of Edward Jones Investments.
Ellie Ypma, 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 $2.25 million in unrestricted grants since 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.
Dean Gambill, Foundation director of community development, recognized individuals and organizations that have given unrestricted gifts to the Community Foundation, which makes these grants possible.
Attendees had the opportunity to hear from representatives of three organizations receiving grants and hear about their projects.
Mike McClaine, president of the Putnam County Playhouse, spoke of the need for a new sound board to replace the used board donated to the group more than 15 years ago.
Duane Skoog spoke on behalf of the Putnam County Airport about the impact that the airport has on local economy and the necessity of repairing the runway.
Lastly, Alexis Branneman and Haylen Eccles from Cloverdale High School presented "Project Glam." Project Glam is a student-led project collecting prom dresses so that all students have the opportunity to attend the prom in the spring.
The 2012 Fall Community Grants recipients are:
-- Putnam County Airport, bringing the runway in FAA compliance, $10,000.
-- Reelsville Water Authority, improving water treatment and distribution, $6,974.
-- Putnam County Playhouse, replacing sound board, $4,000.
-- Cloverdale Civic League, constructing a fitness path at Cloverdale Community Park, $4,000.
-- Putnam County Giving Tree, providing Christmas gifts for needy families, $3,000.
-- Putnam County Fairgrounds, upgrading current ventilation system in indoor arena, $2,500.
-- Western Indiana Community Action Agency, providing funding for Foster Grandparent Program in Putnam County, $2,500.
-- Little Oaks Ranch, purchasing rubber stall mats, $400.
One new Endowment Builder Grant was awarded to the Cloverdale Community Scholarship Fund for $10,000.
To qualify for an Endowment Builder Grant, an organization must establish or have an existing endowment with the Community Foundation and submit a plan for increasing the endowment. The Community Foundation matches one dollar for every two dollars that the organization raises.
Two Youth Philanthropy Grants were awarded totaling $1,000. These grants are for youth-led community service projects.
The 2012 Fall Youth Philanthropy Grant recipients are:
--Reelsville/Wash-ington Township Fire Department/Bradley Schrader Eagle Scout Project, constructing a community picnic shelter at the Reelsville/Washington Township Fire Station, $500.
-- Cloverdale Community Schools- Cloverdale High School, in support of Project Glam, $500.
All eligible organizations are encouraged to apply for grants from the Community Foundation. For more information, persons may contact Community Development Director Dean Gambill 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 230 funds for donors supporting a variety of charitable causes.
For more information about the Communty Foundation, visit www.pcfoundation.org.