Last Updated on September 26, 2019 by cassnetwork
The Cass County Community Foundation held a press conference and reception to announce the recipients of the 2019 CCCF Community Grant Awards on September 26, 2019 at the foundation office, 729 E. Market Street. Attendees included representatives of the recipient organizations, as well as donors, board members, volunteers, and members of the media. This year, grants awarded to six organizations is a record totaling $187,584.
Deanna Crispen, President & CEO shared, “The total grant dollars awarded is almost $60,000 more than the Board of Directors had originally allocated. The grants committee began their work thinking they had $130,000 but the proposals selected were so strong and important to the community that Grants Committee Chairman, Tim Rich was asked to go back to the board with a recommendation that included additional funding.”
The Board, after reviewing the committee recommendation, was unanimous in increasing the funds available. Tim Rich explained, “As a committee, and especially after interviewing the organizations about their projects, we felt that we needed and could justify the additional support from the Board of Directors. The impact that these six organizations will be able to create with our funding will be lasting and provide services and amenities for many years to come.”
This year, organizations first sent a letter expressing their desire to apply and explaining briefly their project and costs. After those initial letters were evaluated, organizations moving forward in the process were invited to submit full proposals. This year the process also included a brief interview with each organization to explain further and answer any questions the committee might still have about their proposal. Funding for community grants is made available through the generosity of donors to CCCF’s unrestricted community endowments.
The following is a list of the 2019 Community Grant Award recipients and their projects:
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Emmaus Mission Food Pantry– $36,000 for a walk-in commercial freezer.
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Cardinal Services—$10,444 for support of their Experience the Workplace Program for disabled clients.
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Logan’s Landing–$16,140 for completion of the “Immigration Sculpture” to be placed in Heritage Park.
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Camelot Care Center–$50,000 for a new playground dedicated to disabled children/specifically designed for children who are wheelchair restricted.
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Cass County 4H Association-$50,000 to be awarded over two years for the new restrooms between the merchants building.
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Cass County Family YMCA-$25,000 in matching dollars for the Campaign to Remodel the YMCA. .
Currently, the Cass County Community Foundation is participating in Lilly Endowment’s GIFT Phase VII program and any gifts to the Community Unrestricted Funds are being matched $2 for every $1 gift. This means that a $100 gift results in $300 added to the funds that support community projects.
For more information, please call the Cass County Community Foundation at 574-722-2200.
SOURCE: News release from Cass County Community Foundation