01/17/12 The Marshall County Community Foundation is accepting applications for the first General Endowment and Ralph C. Vonnegut, Jr. Fund grant cycle of 2012. Organizations desiring to apply for a grant should visit the website at www.marshallcountycf.org for an application. The website application must be used by all applicants and signatures of designated officials requested on the form are required.
Funding for the biannual grants awarded by the Marshall County Community Foundation is made available through the Foundation’s General Endowment. Individuals and corporations interested in donating to this fund provide for a growing base, thus enabling the Foundation to continue funding important projects and meet the growing needs in our communities.
One organization that has benefitted from grants awarded through the Marshall County Community Foundation’s General Endowment fund is the Marshall County Neighborhood Center. The organization has utilized grants to make improvements to their building, computer system, and general service to their clientele. During the recent recession the Neighborhood Center has seen an increase in families using their services grow from 150 families per month in early 2010 to approximately 300 families representing over 1,000 individuals at the end of last year. Director Sara Hill stated that most of that increase is represented by unemployed working families; typically their base clientele are the elderly or disabled. The Neighborhood Center has one employee and over thirty volunteers to carry out its mission. Their goal is to double the services they are able to provide. They are entertaining the idea of pantry sponsorships by businesses.
Concerning the Foundation’s grants to the organization, Hill felt that the application process was straight forward. They are thankful for the Foundation’s role as an advocate and partner in their mission of providing a “hand up” to their clientele. Hill feels strongly that a community is only as healthy as the least of its members. The Neighborhood Center has found a way to reach those most in need, treat them with dignity, and lift many out of a difficult cycle. This would be far more difficult without the support of the Marshall County Community Foundation’s assistance with grant funds, which donors to the Foundation’s General Endowment have made possible.
Marshall County Community Foundation Grant applications are due by 4:30 p.m., February 1, 2012. Applications will be reviewed by the Grants Committee of the Community Foundation and final decisions will be made by the Board of Directors during their March Meeting.
Applicants must be organizations with 501(c)(3) IRS status or organizations with 501(c) IRS status whose request is charitable in nature for the following:
Start-up costs for new programs or the expansion of needed programs
One-time projects or needs
General Endowment grants from the Marshall County Community Foundation typically focus on humanitarian, cultural, educational, recreational and environmental requests. For further information contact Jayne A. Gibson, Vice President for Operations, Marshall County Community Foundation at 574-935-5159.
Marshall County Community Foundation also accepts grant proposals once a year each February for the Ralph C. Vonnegut, Jr. Fund. The purpose of the endowment fund is to provide funding for environmental, educational, or recreational projects directly related to Lake Maxinkuckee.
The Marshall County Community Foundation is a public charity with local roots that helps great ideas take flight through endowment philanthropy. The Foundation is dedicated to serving Marshall County as community-minded partners, trusted investors, visionary thinkers, and opportunity connectors.
