Wayne County Foundation Awards $181,410 in Grant Cycle III

The Wayne County Foundation is pleased to announce that 16 local organizations have been awarded $181,410 through Grant Cycle III. 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.
 
“We received a number of innovative and creative applications,” said Director of Nonprofit Engagement Brian Schleeper. “We look forward to seeing the outcomes of these projects and programs and the impact they’ll have on our community.”
 
The Foundation’s grantmaking is made possible by many individual donors and organizations who create funds to support local initiatives in Wayne County. Below is a list of the organizations that were awarded funding in Grant Cycle III.
 
The following grants were awarded using Unrestricted Funds. These were given by donors who place no restrictions on their gifts and allow the Foundation Board to allocate resources where they are needed most in Wayne County. 
 

• Bridges for Life ($6,500) to purchase food for their weekly meal "Dinner at the Lamp" which serves almost 100 meals weekly along with providing community resources to attendees.
• Circle U Help Center ($15,000) to purchase an additional large walk-in cooler which will allow Circle U to expand its services provided to its clients and other local food pantries they partner with.
• Fountain City Forward ($15,000) for community improvement and beautification projects and activities, including adding planters and banners and free outdoor movie events throughout the year.
• Girls Inc. of Wayne County ($15,000) to repair, add, and replace doors at the Girls Inc. Center to maximize program spaces, provide a better environment for the girls, and increase safety.
• Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana Inc. ($15,000) to provide funding for Mobile Food Pantries in Richmond and Hagerstown which will provide food for almost 500 families monthly.
• Hagerstown Elementary School ($5,017) to provide indoor/outdoor recess equipment for students at Hagerstown Elementary School.
• Junior Achievement of Eastern Indiana ($12,500) to increase the number of students reached through their career readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship programs.
• NATCO Community Empowerment Center ($15,000) to provide materials and support for clients needing assistance with their finances and life skills.
• Refuge of Hope ($5,000) to provide food, transportation assistance and other basic needs for homeless women and their families as part of Refuge's emergency housing program.
• Richmond Parks and Recreation ($14,710) to purchase four E-bikes for benefit of Richmond Senior Center participants to use at the nearby Whitewater Gorge trail as well as continue existing health and wellness programs and add new programming.
• Wayne County Historical Museum ($10,000) to expand the Wayne County First Responders exhibit to recognize and honor local law enforcement, firefighters and other emergency personnel. 

The following grants were awarded using Field of Interest Funds. These were given by donors who choose an area of passion with the funds being used to support organizations and programs in that specific field.

• Boys and Girls Clubs of Wayne County Indiana Inc. ($15,000) to purchase tables, chairs and materials to expand the services the Club offers as well as additional staffing costs. This was supported by the Charles and Maxine Matthews Education Fund.
• Cope Environmental Center ($15,000) to improve trails at Cope with accessible pathways, bench and seating options, and additional shade. This was supported by the Charles and Maxine Matthews Environmental and Animal Fund.
• Hand-in-Hand Adult Day Care Center ($15,000) to provide scholarship funding for elder/disabled participants (and their families) who benefit from their services yet have financial need. This was supported by the Abram Phillips Trust Fund.
• Wood Block Press, Inc. ($5,000) to expand the partnership between the Mary Scott Community Orchard and local schools through a variety of programs including creative writing, interactive storytelling and developing a Story Path. This was supported by the Goodwell Family Memorial Fund.

One additional organization was awarded a mini grant through the Foundation. Mini grants are designed to serve smaller projects, short-term programs, or unplanned opportunities that require immediate funding:

• Centerstone of Indiana ($2,683) to support a resource closet and calming space for their Richmond Outpatient Office.

Grant Cycle III is one of three cycles in 2024. Applicants can find more information on the Foundation’s grant program here.