Wayne County Foundation Awards $146K to 18 Local Organizations

Wayne County Foundation announced awards totaling $146,015 to 18 local organizations in its Grant Cycle I. The funding is to support local programs or projects to enhance the spirit of the community and improve the quality of life across Wayne County.

Grant Cycle I is the first of three cycles offered by the Foundation throughout 2022 to support programs and projects for local nonprofit organizations. "Here in Wayne County, we are fortunate to have so many nonprofit organizations doing passionate work and meeting the critical needs of our community," Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Gilliamm said. "The Foundation is excited to come alongside these organizations and play even a small role in their work and successes."

The Wayne County Foundation’s grantmaking is made possible by income from unrestricted and endowed field-of-interest funds. Below is the list of the grant awards approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors at their May meeting:

• Achieva Resources Corporation, Inc. - $5,000 - To support the EXCEL Program; offer developmental screenings for toddlers and more
• Amigos the Richmond Latino Center - $10,000 - To support English language classes
• Brighter Path Inc. - $10,000 - To offer scholarships for its equine programs
• Circle U Help Center, Inc. - $5,000 - To expand in-school food program with Communities in Schools
• Crestdale Elementary PTO - $5,000 - To replace the school's 30-year-old playground with new equipment
• Hagerstown Nettle Creek Players - $10,000 - To support performances and the Young Actor's Workshop
• HELP the Animals, Inc. - $10,000 - To install a new cooling system in its main kennel room
• Indiana Women in Need Foundation - $2,800 - To assist women and families dealing with the financial effects of breast cancer
• Junior Achievement of Eastern Indiana - $10,000 - For the GenJA program, which promotes financial literacy among K-12 students
• Morrisson-Reeves Library - $11,400 - To support the StoryWalk program, which promotes children's literacy
• Neighborhood Health Center - $14,500 - To help with a Spanish-speaking medical interpreter
• Richmond Civic Theatre, Inc. - $15,000 - To support improvements around the facility, including to fly, sound, microphone, etc.
• Richmond Symphony Orchestra - $10,000 - To support the Sunset Series and other free community programming
• Sunrise Therapeutic Riding Center - $5,000 - To support its student scholarship program
• Wayne County Cardinal Greenway - $15,000 - To purchase a new vehicle to assist with trail maintenance
• Wayne County Historical Museum - $5,000 - To assist with the implementation of a new Gennett Records exhibit
• Women's Workshop Richmond - $1,100 - To support workshops with various groups around the community
• Wood Block Press, Inc. - $1,215 - To develop learning opportunities and purchase new trees for community orchard