Last Updated on September 19, 2017 by cassnetwork
The Cass County Community Foundation held a press conference and reception to announce the recipients of the 2017 CCCF Community Grant Awards on September 19, 2017 at Boondockers. The crowd of attendees included representatives of the recipient organizations, as well as donors, board members, volunteers, and members of the media. Earlier in June, the Foundation had announced that up to $115,000 would be available for the competitive grants. This year, the Cass County Community Foundation awarded 9 organizations community grants totaling $111,069.72.
CCCF Grants Chairman, Lucy Burns said “we had nineteen proposals submitted this year with total project costs of $566,000. The grants committee was charged with evaluating and comparing those proposals and their alignment to the various organization’s missions. After careful review and consideration, the committee unanimously recommended nine projects to the board for approval with one project receiving more than requested. ”
Deanna Crispen, President shared, “The committee did a great job evaluating each proposal and the possible impact of the projects. This year, only proposals with total costs of $5,000 or more were eligible for this cycle in order to help organizations focus on bigger needs. The CCCF Board had previously announced up to $115,000 this year, the committee felt strongly that only the proposals that met all the requirements be funded in this cycle.”
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 2017 Community Grant Award recipients and their projects:
• Carey Services-$6,442.00 – for a day center gazebo for clients
• American Red Cross- $3,000.00 for 250 smoke detectors
• Cass County Council on Aging- $25,503.90 – for new floor coverings, paint and furniture for the senior activity center.
• Caston School Corporation/Cass County 4H-$6,100.05 for an Aquaphonic Lab to grow fish and aquatic plants to be donated to the community.
• Junior Achievement of Cass County-$3,060.00 for the classroom programs for grades 3 and 5.
• Lewi Cass Band Boosters.-$15,000.00 for 120 new band uniforms with a lifespan of 10-15 years
• Salvation Army of Cass County- $11,000.00 – for purchase of two commercial freezers/refrigerators, electrical upgrade and meat. ****
**** (The original proposal was for $7,173 with $4868 for meat and processing and $2,305 for freezers and a refrigerator. The committee felt strongly that over time, the purchase of two commercial grade appliances would be more cost effective and recommended the increasing the funding to $6,132.00 to purchase the appliances and upgrade the electrical outlets.)
• Royal Center Food Pantry- $13,388.77 for a shed to house the food pantry.
• Twelve Mile Community Building- $27,575.00- for new roof and lighting
Total distribution for recommended grants is: $111,069.72. Six projects are recommended for funding as requested. Two projects were funded in parts and one proposal was recommended for funding in excess of the grant request
For more information, please call the Cass County Community Foundation at 574-722-2200.
SOURCE: News release from Cass County Community Foundation