Wayne County Foundation Awards $143,807 in Grants Cycle II and Other Opportunities

The Wayne County Foundation is pleased to announce that 14 local organizations have been awarded $143,807 through Grant Cycle II and other grantmaking opportunities. Grants administered through the Foundation’s Grant Cycles are designed to support local programs or projects that enhance the spirit of community and improve the quality of life across Wayne County.  
 

“There were many grant projects, and the Grant Review committee was impressed with the work benefitting Wayne County,” said Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Gilliam. "We are excited to be a small part of their success.” 
 

The Foundation’s grantmaking is made possible by many individual donors who create funds to support local initiatives in Wayne County. Below is a list of the organizations that were awarded funding in Grant Cycle II:  
 

• Brighter Path Inc. ($15,000) to purchase three therapy horses for its Equine Therapy programs. 
• Centerville Senior High School ($7,500) to help the CHS Special Education Department purchase and train an emotional support dog that will work with students in 7th-12th grade.  
• Central United Methodist Church ($10,597) to replace rusted play equipment and install a privacy fence for children and families.  
• Communities in Schools of Wayne County ($15,000) to fund the Site Coordination program during the 2024-2025 school year.  
• Every Child Can Read, Inc. ($15,000) to support early literacy initiatives in Wayne County through K-Ready book-giving programs and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.  
• Girl Scouts of Central Indiana ($5,330) to support the Richmond Girl Scout Day Camp, which gives girls the chance to gain outdoor skills, make friends, and explore the outdoor world.  
• Golay Community Center ($7,780) to make facility flooring improvements.  
• Good News Habitat for Humanity ($15,000) to support the upcoming Habitat Build in Richmond which will provide a safe and stable home to a family in need.  
• Oak Park Church ($15,000) will launch a new program designed to equip individuals ages 10 to 18 with the life skills they will need for success in adulthood.  
• Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District ($8,000) to provide educational outreach programs on the importance of natural resources conservation and install a shed for storing outreach materials and supplies. 
• Wayne Township Trustee, Wayne County ($5,000) will host two 8-week Introduction to Spanish for Professionals workshops geared toward nonprofit professionals and service providers.   

 
Below are the organizations awarded mini grants through the Foundation. Mini grants are designed to serve smaller projects, short term programs, or unplanned opportunities that require immediate funding: 
 

• Boy Scouts of America ($5,000) to support Wayne County Boy Scout camp scholarships, registration fees, and uniform expenses.  
• Richmond Art Museum ($4,600) for the acquisition of Spanish Town Jamaica Scene by De Scott Evans, a piece that was originally exhibited at RAM in 1902. Funding for this grant came from the Charles and Maxine Matthews Arts Fund.  

 
Additionally, New Testament Church of Christ received $15,000 through Grant Cycle I to purchase furniture and supplies which will help increase the church’s capacity for childcare and enroll infants through 2-years-old. 
 
Grant Cycle II is one of three cycles in 2024. The third grant cycle will open for applications on August 1, 2024. Applicants can find more information here. 
 
Since 1979, the Wayne County Foundation has existed to foster and encourage private philanthropic giving, to enhance the spirit of community, and to improve the quality of life in the Wayne County, Indiana, area now and for future generations.