Community Foundation releases $40,000 in grants

        
Wiregrass nonprofit charitable organizations
        received a financial boost today when the Community
        Foundation of Southeast Alabama released $40,000 in
        community trust grants.  The 21 organizations
        serving the five-county region will now be able to
        implement innovative projects and expand existing
        programs with these funds.

        
"The response to our first ever Community
        Trust Grant program was overwhelming," said
        David Jamison, Foundation president.  Although
        the Community Foundation announced in July that
        $40,000 would be available during this year's
        competitive grant cycle, 35 organizations submitted
        42 grant applications for a total request of
        $306,018.

        
Applicants were invited to submit proposals that
        focused on solutions to underlying causes of
        community problems demonstrated collaborative
        efforts, fostered regionalism, and bridged social
        capital.

        
"Members of our board of directors worked
        diligently to review each of the 30 applications
        that met our criteria, paying particular attention
        to those that expanded an existing program, or
        demonstrated an innovative and efficient approach to
        serving a community need," Jamison said. 
        "Consideration was also given to those
        proposals that showed collaboration with other
        agencies and potential for funding beyond the
        initial grant," he added.

        
Grants for 2001 ranged from proposals that
        addressed prevention of teen pregnancy and child
        abuse to proposals that offered an introduction to
        the performing arts, early reading and at-risk youth
        development.  Additional grants supported
        proposals for youth volunteerism, technical
        assistance to minority business enterprises and
        pharmaceuticals for low-income families. 
        Resources for this grants program were underwritten
        by members of the board and through unrestricted
        funds managed by the Foundation.

        
"This is a very exciting day for the Community Foundation and 
          the region.  One of the Foundation's primary goals is to create 
          a culture of philanthropy in the community so that quality of life can 
          be improved not only today, but forever," Jamison stressed.  
          He noted that individuals interested in helping charitable organizations 
          may now visit www.cfsea.org and search a consolidated list of reviewed 
          projects requiring additional funding.

        
The Community Foundation of Southeast Alabama
        helps individuals, families, corporations, and
        non-profit organizations establish and secure
        permanent funding sources for current and future
        needs of the community.  Funds entrusted to the
        Foundation's stewardship are then distributed to
        address community development opportunities as
        advised by the donor, and through charitable grants
        and scholarships.  For more information about
        the Foundation, call (334) 671-1059.