Community Foundation of Grant County Launches Third Path Capacity-Building Cohort
The Community Foundation of Grant County challenged local nonprofit organizations to co-apply with one or more organizations to be included in a three-year capacity-building cohort. Organizations approved for this cohort will also receive up to a $50,000 grant annually for three years to deepen the relationship with their co-applicant and strengthen their missions.
The purpose of this implementation grant is for nonprofit organizations in Grant County to build back better following the COVID-19 crisis and deepen the relationship between other organizations while simultaneously increasing the capacity of Grant County nonprofit leaders.
“The concept of “third path” comes from the book Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. We’ve all experienced crises, some worse than others. Will we go back to “normal”; will we regress? Or will we use the opportunity to take the third path? One that leads from setback to resilience” said Meagan Mathias, Community Investment Manager at the Community Foundation. “We at the Community Foundation believe that “we’re all in this together” and the only way we’ll get through this time in our history is by building, and deepening relationships.”
In addition to funding, each member participating in the Third Path Cohort will receive professional nonprofit training, relationship building, and will be assigned to a certified executive coach who will meet with them monthly to help build skills through a conversational process.
Partners receiving a grant to participate in The Third Path Cohort:
Carey Services and Grant County Society for Crippled Children and Adults
Grant amount: $49,167
Grant purpose: To incorporate the necessary services of the Grant County Society for Crippled Children and Adults into Carey Services programming.
“Carey Services and Grant County Society for Crippled Children and Adults will create an opportunity to marry the services of two long-established organizations and preserve for the hundreds of community members who depend on them each year the unique services of GCSCCA, which could be on life support in coming years without this Third Path lifeline.”
-Carey Services and the Grant County Society for Crippled Children and Adults
Hope House, College Wesleyan Church, and Grant County Family YMCA
Grant amount: $50,000
Grant purpose: To create an outdoor community center with events and programming which will be implemented by Hope House, College Wesleyan Church, and the Grant County YMCA.
"We are excited about the Outdoor Community Center and what it could do for people in our community, but we are equally (if not more) excited about the possibility of participating in the Third Path Capacity Building Cohort with our two partnering organizations, the Community Foundation, and other nonprofits in Grant County and what that might lead to in the future. We are a young, vibrant, and energetic organization who could benefit greatly from being a participant in this awesome cohort opportunity."
-Shane Beal, Hope House
Grant County Rescue Mission and Thriving Grant County, Thriving Mill Township
Grant amount: $50,000
Grant purpose: To create the Mill Township Community Resource Center by restoring the historic St. Paul Episcopal Church of Gas City.
“This grant will make possible the launch of developments which were informed by the Voices Project and the Gift VII grant application, both efforts that were brilliantly brought about by the Community Foundation. The problems that we’re seeking to solve are both manageable and necessary for Grant County to ever escape the chains which generationally have shackled our community to poverty. This grant will not only fund the restoration of a church… but will fund freedom that comes from what feels like an impossible hope. In this endeavor we will systemically change the relationship between multiple community resource organizations, proving that we are truly better together.”
-Ray Rodarte, Grant County Rescue Mission
The Community Foundation of Grant County, Indiana, Inc. is an advocate for local philanthropy and is dedicated to improving the lives of people in the Grant County area. An effective steward of the community’s charitable resources since 1984, the Foundation works with donors to establish charitable funds and supports non-profit organizations through a variety of grantmaking efforts.
Grant guidelines and applications are available online at GivetToGrant.org/Grants. The next deadline for applications is March 24, 2021.