Muskegon, MI - April 25, 2005 << Return to Press Release Page For More Information, Call: Arnold (Arn) Boezaart, Vice President - Grant Programs Community Foundation for Muskegon County Tel: (231) 722-4538 FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES GRANT AWARDS On April 25, 2005, the Board of Trustees of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County met and approved grant awards totaling over $155,587 to a variety of organizations in support of projects throughout the Muskegon region. Highlights of the grant awards developed through the work of a number of volunteer committees of the Foundation are detailed below: Distribution Committee: Grants from the Distribution Committee are made from the Foundation’s unrestricted pool of funds and can support a broad range of community needs including: Arts, Community/Urban Redevelopment and Improvement, Education, Environment and Health & Human Services. West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition – $20,000 to support the development of a regional trail system. Muskegon Community College - $10,000 to support the construction of the new library. Muskegon Air Fair– $10,000 to support the Veteran’s Center for the 2005 Air Fair. Arts Council of White Lake - $5,000 to support the Art Walk, which will place sculptures along the bike trail in White Lake. Child and Family Services - $5,000 to support the expansion of the Ropes Adventure Course (funds from the West Shore Mental Health Fund). Institute for Healing Racism - $5,000 to support the development and implementation of Institute II, a new program designed to address institutional and organization racial awareness. West Shore Symphony Orchestra - $5,000 to support the Carnegie Link Up! Program.. Children’s Resource Network - $4,040 to support the Child Care Solutions project. Muskegon Community College/Arts & Humanities Festival - $4,000 to support the 2005 Arts & Humanities Festival. City of Whitehall - $1,850 to support a community swimming pool feasibility study for the White Lake area – a similar amount to be funded by the White Lake Fund. Julia Hackley Fund: Grants from the Julia E. Hackley Memorial Fund support programs and projects of non-profit agencies and organizations who work to meet the needs of poor and underpriveledged citizens living in the City of Muskegon City of Muskegon - $8,000 to support 2005 Summer Internship Positions. Love INC - $5,000 to support the emergency needs for City of Muskegon residents. Catholic Human Development Outreach - $5,000 – to support meat and personal hygiene items for the Loaves & Fishes food pantry. American Red Cross - $4,000 to support Emergency Transportation needs for low income seniors in the City of Muskegon. Environmental Endowment Fund: The Environmental Endowment Fund of the Foundation was established in 1998to support proposals and grant requests that build community environmental capacity and awareness, that educate young and old, both formally and informally and promote the environmental interests of the Muskegon region. Specific interests include a smart growth approach to land-use planning, protection and restoration of green spaces and watersheds as well as the restoration of critical dune areas and other natural resources. Grant applicant are encouraged to discuss their interests with staff prior to the submission of a grant proposal. Muskegon Conservaton District - $4,071 to support a Eurasian Watermilfoil-Weevil invasive species eradication project on Duck Lake. This project will demonstrate the viablility of using a natural agent to eradicate an invasive species. Youth Advisory Council: Grants awarded by the fourteen member Youth Advisory Council representing local High Schools, are selected to meet youth needs. In late 2003, the Council conducted a student needs assessment and identified Adolescent Health, with an emphasis on Teenage Pregnancy, Substance Abuse and Self-Esteem as target areas for grantmaking. Muskegon County Schools - $10,000 – To support the 2005-2006 Teacher Mini Grant Program, which allows teachers to apply for grants up to $250 for classroom projects and programs. United Way of Muskegon County - $15,000 – To support the Lights on Afterschool initiative. Every Woman’s Place/Webster House - $5,000 - To support the street outreach program and drop-in center. Volunteer Muskegon - $3,055 – To support the Summer of Service. Muskegon County Medical Society Fund: Since 1965 the Muskegon County Medical Society Fund has contributed through its Foundation to a broad array of health-related community projects. The Muskegon County Medical Society will continue that mission by considering grant requests and making recommendations to the Community Foundation on the use of the fund. Muskegon Area Intermediate School District - $1,500 to support the West Michigan Science Challenge. Muskegon County Medical Society Alliance - $2,500 to support 2005 Scholarship Awards. North Muskegon Public Schools - $1,000 to support the Science Olymiad program. White Lake Community Fund: Grants from the White Lake Community Fund focus on meeting the needs of residents of the White Lake area including the Cities of Whitehall and Montague. American Red Cross - $1,000 – to support senior transportation services. Arts Council of White Lake - $3,619 – to support the White Lake Sculpture Project. Kick Off Muskegon Civic Theater - $1,843 – to support Theater on Wheels in the White Lake Area. West Shore Symphony Orcherstra - $5,000 – to support the Carnegie LinkUP! Education Concert. White Lake Ambulance Authority - $3,000 – to support the purchase of replacement CPR Manikins. White Lake Association - $3,000 – to support the assessment of Nutrient Loading on White Lake. White Lake Community Library - $2,634.61 – to support the Summer reading Outreach Program. White River Township - $946 – to support maintenance of the White River Township Life Alarm System. Greater Muskegon Women and Children’s Fund: Grants from the Women & Children’s Fund support financial incentives for projects that will improve the quality of life for women and children in the Muskegon area. Muskegon County Health Department - $3,600-to support Dental Care totes to new parents/infants and for all first graders in Muskegon Public Schools. Child Abuse Council – $1,000 - to support the start up of a lending library at the Child Abuse Council. WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION? The Community Foundation for Muskegon County was created in 1961 to improve the quality of life for Muskegon County residents. A publicly-supported community endowment, the Foundation receives and manages contributions from thousands of community citizens and organizations who are committed to the future of Muskegon County. Supporting community projects in the areas of Arts, Education, Community Development, Health and Human Services, Youth Issues, Environment and Children Ages 0-3 the Foundation reflects the collective vision of Muskegon County residents and provides a cost effective vehicle for contributing to the community through gifts of any size and of many types. HOW DO WE APPLY FOR A GRANT? Grants are generally awarded two or three times annually. Organizations interested in seeking grant support from the Community Foundation should call 722-4538 and ask for Arnold (Arn) Boezaart, Vice-President for Grant Programs, or Gina Van Van Bruggen, Program Officer for more specific information about the grant application process. The Community Foundation for Muskegon County was created in 1961 to improve the quality of life for Muskegon County residents. As a publicly-supported community endowment, the Foundation receives and manages contributions from community citizens and organizations who are committed to the future of Muskegon County. << Return to Press Release Page