The Golden Belt Community Foundation recently completed the March competitive grant cycle and awarded $25,359.40 to charitable organizations and programs in Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford counties.
The foundation received thirty-six applications with organizations requesting over $139,000 in funding. Programs or projects must demonstrate need and show how the program will benefit the communities of the Golden Belt. Programs that established new or fostered existing collaborations among various groups or organizations also were considered favorably.
The open, competitive grant process, through which most non-profits apply for grants at the community foundation, attracts well over 100 grant applications each year. Grant applications are reviewed three times a year, in March, July, and November.
“Many of the grants awarded this grant cycle benefit the health and well being of children, particularly several organizations and programs focusing on early childhood education,” said Christy Tustin, Executive Director of the community foundation. “Additionally several grants were awarded to organizations that focus on helping those in need of assistance in our communities, whether it is with food or paying utilities or other needs.”
Since 2002, over $1.6 million has been reinvested into charitable projects and agencies of the Golden Belt. To date in 2012, over $53,000 in grants has been awarded to various charitable organizations and projects. The recipients are:
Grants made possible through the Kansas Health Foundation Youth Endowment Fund:
$3,000 Pawnee County Health Department to purchase The Incredible Years parenting program.
$5,000 Kansas Pediatric Foundation to purchase books and literacy materials for the Turn a Page. Touch a Mind program through the Great Bend Children’s Clinic.
$150 Larned Elementary School to purchase a digital camera and printer for the second grade classroom.
$1,000 Sunflower Early Education Center to match a challenge grant from the Ross and Marianna Beach Foundation for publicity and fundraising efforts to expand the tiny-k network services for children under 3.
$960 Kansas Children’s Service League to purchase two wireless internet cards to access ChildPlus and online learning activities in the home.
$1,474 Fort Hays State University to cover startup costs of the Skilled Parents-Healthy Teens to better manage teenager’s risky behaviors.
$210 Larned Elementary School to purchase music math CDs, manipulatives, games and book to teach strong number sense.
$966  Pawnee Heights High School to purchase science equipment for the junior high science classes.
$684.85 U.S.D. 350 Tiger Tots Program to purchase supplies for Dogs for Dads, a reading, nutrition and exercising program.
$1,000  Barton County Health Department to send 25 women to Expectant Parent Class to improve pregnancy outcomes.
$3,700 Pawnee County to build an innovative playground at Camp Pawnee.
$300 Hoisington USD 431 to educate students on bullying, self-esteem, and vital life skills.
Grants made possible through the Larry and Kathy Schugart Donor Advised Endowment Fund:
$971.55  Holy Family School to purchase Kindermusik teacher kits/CDs, desks and student instruments.
Grants made possible through Rush County Endowment Fund and Golden Belt Community Improvement Endowment Fund:
$536 Rush County Memorial Hospital to purchase an otoscope and a sphygmomanometer for the emergency room.
Grants made possible through Amos E. Bayer Memorial Endowment Fund:
$2,000 St. Rose Ambulatory and Surgery Center to purchase flu shots for the Drive Through Free Flu Shot Clinic in October.
Grants made possible through Health and Human Services Endowment Fund and Stafford County Endowment Fund:
$481 Stafford County Health Department to provide a free program for disposal of syringes and other sharps.
Grants made possible through Albert Gumbir Charitable Endowment Fund:
$2,500 Catholic Social Service to help families and individuals who are experiencing emergency financial situations.
Grants made possible through Golden Belt Community Improvement Endowment Fund:
$426  Hungry Heart Soup Kitchen to purchase commodities to put in food baskets.
At $8.39 million in total assets and 122 funds under management, the Golden Belt Community Foundation has been helping donors fulfill their charitable wishes since 1996.  For more information about the Golden Belt Community Foundation, call (620) 792-3000 or visit their website at www.goldenbeltcf.org.