Four County Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees met recently to approve over $62,000 in grant dollars to local nonprofit organizations. Volunteer committees reviewed 26 fourth quarter grant requests and recommended awards to 19 local groups, including seven area school districts.
First up, the Foundation’s YAC received six requests and were able to fund all six! In Almont, the group supported the purchase of new stoves for the high school cooking room, special drill calculators for the whole fourth grade, and new uniforms for the AHS Dance Team. They also supported the purchase of a Book Vending Machine for the Middle School. YAC granted to Imlay City Middle School for a field trip to the Holocaust Center, and to Capac Jr/Sr High School for cultural experiences in Detroit and Kalamazoo. In both cases, grant dollars will cover the cost of transportation, entrance fees, and student lunches.
Our Healthy Senior / Healthy Youth Committee recommended a grant to support R & E DRIVE Foundation to provide weekend food for students at three local elementary schools. The HSHY committee also awarded to Armada Area School for a mental health presentation at the Middle and High schools. Finally, the group supported purchasing supplies for the Fancy Quilters of RWB Parks & Rec. The quilters give their finished quilts to area seniors and children in need.
Four County Community Fund awarded to Abide Ministries, Inc. to support their collaboration with Oxford Community Schools. Abide provides trauma therapy to children, staff, and families. The committee also awarded to Imlay City High School to purchase equipment for the upgraded weight room. 21st Century education funds were awarded to Eisenhower High School for the Science Olympiad Team, to Almont High School to set up a die-cutting workshop, and to Borland Elementary School’s third grade for spelling magnets.
Other grants approved in October were awarded to Dryden Community Schools for Science Day, and to Capac Jr/Sr High School for a field trip to the Challenger Learning Center at SC4. The Armada Historical Society is overseeing a matching fund grant for the Community Heart & Soul program in that community.
Our Jamie’s Smiles fund awarded three grants to programs supporting children with special needs. The Romeo Croswell Early Childhood Center, Macomb Intermediate School District and Glen H. Peters School will upgrade their programs with therapy cube chairs, therapeutic positioning items, and toys for speech therapy and developing motor skills.
Grant requests are accepted throughout the year and are reviewed on a quarterly basis. The Foundation provides grants to eligible, IRS tax-exempt organizations, schools, and governmental agencies operating in the Four County Community Foundation service area. Grants are made to support progressive ideas in education, health, and community, including youth and adult programs. Donations of any size are always welcome. To learn more, visit www.4ccf.org