The Athens Area Community Foundation has awarded grants totaling $25,000 to help 14 local organizations address needs in the areas of youth development, economic & workforce development, access to health care, and building community. The grants, ranging between $625 and $3,375, are part of the second award cycle undertaken by AACF, which began operation last year as a vehicle for philanthropic investment, meeting critical needs, and engaging families and businesses in strategic grantmaking.
The foundation issued a call in July for applications and received 49 requests totaling $195,595.71. Withonly $25,000 to award this fall, the foundation board members had to make difficult choices. “All of the applicants are addressing serious issues in the community,” said Steve Jones, foundation chairman.
Decisions on awarding grants were based in part on whether the proposals helped address poverty, improve quality of life, increase access to community resources, attract volunteer support, address the underlying causes of local problems, and build the applicant organization’s capacity and sustainability.
Based on those criteria, AACF has generously chosen to give a grant of $1000 to support the 2010 College Can program. AACF’s grant will help leverage funding for seventy-five 5th grade students to participate in the Jekyll classes which incorporate science, math, social studies, language arts and history in small teaching groups.
We at TPF feel so fortunate that AACF feels our program is worthy of its support. As the local center for philanthropy, AACF connects individuals, families, corporations, and private foundations in the Athens area to the critical issues facing our community. Please visit there website at http://www.athensareacf.org/ to find out more about the Athens Area Community Foundation’s great works.