Twice each year, applications for funding are accepted. This most recent round was the most competitive yet; 99 applications were submitted requesting a total of $724,803 in funding. Of those, 89 of those programs received some type of support.
“In our recent strategic planning process, we received input from nearly 350 people from throughout the region. One of the primary goals identified for the Community Foundation was to secure more unrestricted funds to support even more projects than the ones identified here,” said Mike Kane, Foundation president.
“We are proud of the work local nonprofits do, and we appreciate the interest the community has in seeing us do more. And of course we are interested in working with more donors who see the value of this effort to our community.”
Grant awards vary, depending on the project. Typically, grants from the Unrestricted Fund are between $500 and $10,000. For this round, the largest grant that was made was $8,000 and it went to Catholic Charities, Inc., for the emergency delivery of fuel to families who are experiencing a current financial crisis.
“Most of the basic living needs that people take for granted every day – water, heat, light, food – our clients struggle with every day,” said Jean Johnstone, Catholic Charities Executive Director. “As the temperatures get colder and the cost of keeping warm rises, the requests for help in central Pennsylvania are beyond belief. This grant from the Community Foundation means that more people in Central Pennsylvania will have help this winter”
Additionally, Community Foundation funding will go to these organizations to support programs in following
categories:
Arts & Culture - $12,600 total
• Bedford Area Band Boosters
• Bedford County Arts Advisory Council
• The Pennsylvania Consort Society
• BottleWorks Ethnic Arts Center
• Cresson Lake Playhouse
• Johnstown Symphony Orchestra
• Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center
• Laurel Arts
• Meyersdale Drama/Music Boosters
