May 2022 Grants Announced

Over the last three decades, thousands of generous Whitley County residents have put their trust in their Community Foundation as they directed charitable dollars to worthy projects. Most recently, that spirit of philanthropy came through as 15 non-profit organizations received over $106,000 in grants that will help enhance the quality of life in Whitley County. The Foundation’s Board of Directors awarded the following organizations funding based upon recommendations from a volunteer Grants Committee:

• Camp STEAM Ahead – $7,500 to offset the costs of bringing a fun-filled summer camp steeped in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) education to local children. Funded in part with a gift from the Don and Sharlene Berkshire Community Fund.
• Camp Whitley – $13,500 toward the costs of completing a privacy fence project that will help keep campers safe this summer. This project was made possible in part with a gift from the Benton and Thelma Bloom Family Fund and the Tim and Beth Bloom Community Fund.
• American Red Cross – $5,000 for home fire relief funds to assist Whitley County residents who have been victims of a fire. Made possible in part with a gift from the Jack and Judy Moore Community Fund.
• South Whitley Parks Department- $4,000.00 as a challenge match to go toward repairing the fence around the community’s Pickle Ball court. Made possible in part with a gift from the Jerry Busche Family Fund.
• Royal Family Kids Camp – $2,526 to provide materials for craft projects and rental of a golf course for this special camp that provides summer fun for children in the foster care system in Whitley County. Made possible in part with a grant from the Weick Fund.
• Erin’s House for Grieving Children – $5,000 for support of grief services in Whitley
  County. Funded in part with a gift from the Greg and Ann Fahl Community Fund.
• Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church Request: $6,500 to cover food and game supplies for youth event that feeds over 120 children a week throughout the year. Funded in part with a gift from the Gary and Ann Dillon Community Fund.
• Easterseals Passages – $5,000 for contracted artist fees in order to carry out their performing arts program. Funded in part by the Arts Alive Fund.
• Youth for Christ – $7,500 for project expenses as they provide spiritual and emotional support to local children. Funded in part with a gift from the Toni and Andy More Community Fund.
• Columbia City Tree Board – $5,000 for funding assistance to plant trees from local nurseries. Funded in part with a gift from the Don and Jane Langeloh Community Fund.
• HearCare Connection – $4,000 for program expenses as they provide refurbished hearing aids and testing to those in need in our community. This grant was made possible in part with funding from the Whitley County Giving Circle for Women’s Health.
• Giving Gardens of Indiana – $4,790 to extend the driveway as a means of providing a safe drop-off area for children attending camps and classes. Funded in part with a gift from the Donna Harl Fund.
• Whitley County Council on Aging – $30,000 to upgrade their kitchen facilities that provide nutritional meals for our community’s senior population. Funded in part with a gift from the Don Armstrong Community Fund and the Jean & Roger Long Community Fund.
• BABE – $8,000 in operating support as they provide quality incentives to parents who participate in preventive and prenatal care including parenting and child development classes. Made possible in part by the C. Taron and Gloria Smith Endowment Fund.
• TROY Schools – $5,980 for purchase of fuel and maintenance for their transportation program which allows at risk youth the opportunity to learn in an environment conducive to their needs. Funded in part with a gift from the James R. and Kathleen M Heuer Fund.

The Community Foundation has a professional staff that can assist residents with any questions they many have in regard to charitable giving and estate planning. As a public charity, all gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible and may be divided for distribution to any number of qualified charities. To speak with someone on staff, call 260-244-5224.