Foundation has awarded $144,489 so far in 2012

Monday, June 4, 2012
Community Foundation 2012 Spring Grant recipients pose with a giant-size check at conclusion of the breakfast awards program at Area 30 Career Center.

A crowd of 70 was greeted Friday by Putnam County Community Foundation Executive Director Elaine Peck to celebrate the Community Foundation's 2012 Spring Grant Awards.

The breakfast, provided by Almost Home, was held in the Community Room of Area 30 Career Center, where it was announced that $144,489.31 has been awarded from the Community Foundation's unrestricted and field of interest endowments so far in 2012.

The event was sponsored by Hendricks Power Cooperative and First National Bank.

Ellie Ypma, who chairs the Community Foundation 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.

Dean Gambill, director of Community Development for the Foundation, recognized individuals and organizations who have given unrestricted gifts to the Community Foundation which makes these grants possible.

"Without individuals and organizations who 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," Gambill said.

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.

Community Grants awarded totaled $121,358.31, and included several multi-year grant commitments made in previous years.

The spring 2012 Community Grants recipients are:

-- Greencastle Civic League, $8,000 a year for three years to construct a splash pad at Robe-Ann Park.

--- People Pathways, $8,000 to complete the final 1.75-mile section of pathway between Fillmore and Hendricks County.

-- Putnam County Operation Life, $6,450 to purchase/replace automatic external defibrillator units for Putnam County first-responders.

-- Greencastle (SAWS) Presbyterian Church, $5,000 to help build ramps for terminally ill persons.

-- Putnam County Senior Center, $4,907 to replace heating and air-conditioning unit.

-- Walnut Creek Fire Protection District, $4,893 to assist the district to earn philanthropic points toward receiving a state grant of $150,000 to purchase a new fire truck.

-- Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department, $3,000 to support first-time SPARK day camp experience for children with special needs.

-- CASTLE Arts, $3,000 in support of a new program using fine arts in education.

-- Putnam County Public Library, $3,000 to support Imagination Library.

-- Hamilton Center, $3,000 to provide drug tests for individuals in difficult financial circumstances.

-- New Providence Baptist Church, $858.31 to purchase food for the Putnam County needy.

-- Cloverdale Schools, $750 to provide literacy take-home bags for all kindergarteners.

-- New Life Baptist Church, $500 to purchase food for the Putnam County needy.

In addition to these new awards, the Community Foundation recognized and issued grant checks to organizations based upon commitments made in previous years:

-- Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center, $20,000 a year for five years in support of economic development efforts locally.

-- Ivy Tech Community College, $20,000 to meet building, equipment and technology needs of the Greencastle campus.

-- Cloverdale Dollars for Scholars, $15,000 for Endowment Builder matching grant.

-- Putnam County Rural Transit, $10,000 a year for three years to provide access to public transportation to all Putnam County residents.

-- Putnam County Museum, $5,000 for Endowment Builder matching grant.

New Endowment Builder Grants awarded this spring totaled $21,750. 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 the organization raises.

Endowment Builder Grants approved this spring are:

-- Putnam County Fairgrounds, $10,000.

-- Heritage Preservation Society of Putnam County, $6,250.

-- Humane Society of Putnam County, $2,500.

-- Putnam County Museum, $1,500.

-- Reelsville/Washington Township Fire Department, $1,500.

Youth Philanthropy Grants awarded totaled $1,381 for youth-led community service projects. The spring 2012 Youth Philanthropy Grant recipients are:

-- Greencastle Community Schools, $381 to create a Monarch Butterfly Way Station on the People Pathways near Deer Meadow School.

-- Cloverdale/South Putnam student councils, $500 to support a prom for Putnam County senior citizens.

-- Greencastle High School Future Broadcasters Initiative, $500 to purchase a computer for broadcasting and video editing.

All eligible organizations are encouraged to apply for grants from the Foundation. For more information, persons may contact Community Development Director 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 225 funds for donors supporting a variety of charitable causes.

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

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