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Awarded Grants

2023 Give to Grant Cycle: Total Grantmaking $50,556

Firefly Children and Family Alliance was awarded $10,000 to provide as many as 25 vulnerable families with direct emergency aid and services.

Boys & Girls Club of Grant County was awarded $10,000 to provide youth with after-school programming that will reinforce what is learned in school. In addition to the Give to Grant Collaborative, the J. William and Eleanor G. Long Memorial Fund, and the Kurt Herriman Memorial Endowment Fund also contributed to awarding this grant.

Hands of Hope was awarded $6,449 to expand the Flannery-Keal Center parking lot and pave the alley/access into the parking lot. In addition to the Give to Grant Collaborative, the Anna Mae Harrison Fund, and the Heidi Sue Chastain Memorial Fund also contributed to awarding this grant.

Kate’s Kart was awarded $5,000 to provide a comforting diversion to all Marion Health pediatric patients through the gift of new books.

NearSpace Education was awarded $10,000 to create a space in Upland that promotes education, community fellowship, and economic development. In addition to the Give to Grant Collaborative, the Lawrence & Otie Sanborn Educational Fund, the Ladislas D. Wojcik Fund, and the Virginia June and Lowell Byron Richards Fund also contributed to awarding this grant.

Upland Area Greenways Association was awarded $9,107 to provide a crushed limestone surface for improved usability of the Seven Bridges Trail.

2023 Crowdfunding Grants: Total Grantmaking $50,000
East Central Indiana Robotics – PhyXTGears Team 1720 – Approved for a $20,000 crowdfunding campaign to prepare high school students for Indiana’s technology workforce through hands-on STEM training.

Habitat for Humanity of Grant County – Approved for a $20,000 crowdfunding campaign to cover building costs for a new 3-bedroom home of the 57th build for a Grant County family.

Indiana Motorcycle Preservation Society – Approved for a $10,000 crowdfunding campaign to showcase Indiana’s motorcycle history and preserve Marion’s “hog” heritage with a permanent exhibit.

2023 Third Path Capacity-Building Cohort Grant (Year Three): Total Grantmaking $149,167

We challenged organizations to propose a plan that will deepen their relationship with another organization. The organizations selected will take part in a three-year capacity-building program with a grant component. This cohort style will not only provide opportunities for members to deepen relationships between their partnering organizations, but with all the organizations in the cohort, including the Community Foundation. The organizations selected to participate in the Third Path Cohort, and receive a grant are:

Carey Services – To support the Carey Health Solutions integration for career and life skills training; $49,167

Hope House and College Wesleyan Church – To build an outdoor community center with a basketball court and pavilion; $50,000

Grant County Rescue Mission, and Thriving Grant County, Thriving Mill Township – To complete renovations and branding of the “Mill Township Resource Center”; $50,000

2022 Give to Grant Cycle: Total Grantmaking $63,680

East Central Indiana Robotics was awarded $10,000 to provide robot materials and competition costs for the PhyXTGears Team 1720.  In addition to the Give to Grant Collaborative, the Virginia June and Lowell Byron Richards Fund also contributed to awarding this grant.

Firefly Children and Family Alliance (Formerly known as the Children’s Bureau) was awarded $10,000 to provide emergency assistance to vulnerable families in Grant County.

Gas City Police Department was awarded $10,000 to provide bulletproof vests and accessories for 12 Gas City police officers. In addition to the Give to Grant Collaborative, the Law Enforcement Safety Fund contributed to awarding this grant

Hoosier Shakes was awarded $6,200 to purchase an enclosed trailer to transport their stage and associated materials.

Marion Community School of the Arts (CSA) was awarded $5,000 to fund the rights and royalties for the productions in the upcoming season of CSA’s Civic Theatre. In addition to the Give to Grant Collaborative, the Tri Kappa Janet Beer Music Education Fund contributed to awarding this grant.

Meals on Wheels was awarded $10,000 to subsidize meals for those who are unable to afford to participate.

Science Central was awarded $2,500 to provide STEM educational programming for students in Pre-K through 12th grade in Grant County. In addition to the Give to Grant Collaborative, the Ladislas D. Wojcik Fund contributed to awarding this grant.

WonderSpace was awarded $9,980 to bring meaningful play-based STEM experiences to Grant County Pre-K through 4th graders.

2022 Crowdfunding Grants: Total Grantmaking $87,854

City of Marion (Matter Park) to fund the dredging and renovation of the Matter Park fishing pond.
– Grant from the Community Foundation: $20,000
– Raised from the community: $22,675
– Total amount to the organization: $42,675

Habitat for Humanity of Grant County to fund the construction of Habitat for Humanity of Grant County’s 56th build.
– Grant from the Community Foundation: $20,000
– Raised from the community: $25,179
– Total amount to the organization: $45,179

2022 Third Path Capacity-Building Cohort Grant (Year Two): Total Grantmaking $149,167

We challenged organizations to propose a plan that will deepen their relationship with another organization. The organizations selected will take part in a three-year capacity-building program with a grant component. This cohort style will not only provide opportunities for members to deepen relationships between their partnering organizations, but with all the organizations in the cohort, including the Community Foundation. The organizations selected to participate in the Third Path Cohort, and receive a grant are:

Carey Services – To incorporate the necessary services of the Grant County Society for Crippled Children and Adults into Carey Services programming; $49,167

Hope House and College Wesleyan Church – To create an outdoor community center with events and programming which will be implemented by Hope House, College Wesleyan Church, and the Grant County YMCA; $50,000

Grant County Rescue Mission, and Thriving Grant County, Thriving Mill Township – To create the Mill Township Community Resource Center by restoring the historic St. Paul Episcopal Church of Gas City; $50,000

2021 Give to Grant Collaborative Grants: Total Grantmaking $77,011

Ivy Tech Foundation was awarded $10,000 to provide up to 12 students with dual enrollment opportunities. Ivy Tech Community College has one of Indiana’s largest dual enrollment programs in a statewide partnership with K-12 schools. The Marion Campus, in partnership with Grant County schools, is doing its part to prepare students for post-secondary success.

The City of Marion Fire Department was awarded $9,911 to purchase seven AED devices for the City of Marion Fire Department. The Department receives several medical calls a day and relies heavily on the equipment they carry. In addition to the Give to Grant Collaborative, the Travis Simpkins Memorial Fund contributed to awarding this grant.

Meals on Wheels was awarded $10,000 to subsidize meals for those who are unable to afford to participate, as well as cover additional overhead expenses related to growing their client base. Meals on Wheels works alongside local hospitals, nursing homes, and social workers to assist patients with getting access to food services in Grant County so that they can remain in the comfort of their own homes.

Cardinal Greenways was awarded $10,000 to purchase a new truck for Grant County volunteers to use in maintaining the trails. The large group of dedicated volunteers provides many hours every year maintaining the ten miles of trail in Grant County. This grant provided volunteers the proper tools and equipment they need to complete their work safely and efficiently.

Cancer Services of Grant County was awarded $10,000 to support the Breast Education Screening and Survival (BESS) program. Since the program’s inception in 2000, Cancer Services has provided over 9000 mammograms and has educated over 100,000 Grant County individuals. This program provides countywide education outreach, mammography, and further diagnostics to anyone who cannot afford these services.

Hands of Hope was awarded $10,000 to purchase a vehicle for Hands of Hope staff to use as they expand their outreach and mobile advocacy services to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking in Grant County. This grant will make staff accessible where the victim might feel more comfortable such as a victim’s home, local park, local restaurant, or library. In addition to the Give to Grant Collaborative, the Anna Mae Harrison Fund, the Heidi Sue Chastain Memorial Fund and the J. William and Eleanor G. Long Memorial Fund contributed to awarding this grant.

SAWs – Servants at Work was awarded $9,000 to install six high-quality removable and reusable wooden wheelchair ramps for mobility-challenged Grant County residents. A SAWs ramp provides persons who are dependent on a wheelchair or other movement-assisted device the ability to gain freedom from their homes to access health care and other quality of life activities.

Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope House was awarded $5,000 to offer temporary, minimal-cost lodging to parents and families of Grant County children receiving medical care away from home. Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope House offers comfortable beds, hot meals, laundry facilities, and showers, to families with a hospitalized child in any Fort Wayne medical facility. They provide these basic needs in a safe, stable, and supportive environment while their loved one is just a short walk away.

Euclid Neighborhood Association was awarded $3,100 to complete the Euclid Neighborhood Association’s two-phased beautification project by planting 18 additional trees in the area. This project will foster a safe and welcoming atmosphere by improving the forgotten streetscape in the city’s right of way. It is a local grassroots initiative, spurred by residents passionate to create change while preserving the historic street for future generations.

2021 Crowdfunding Grants: Total Grantmaking $84,120
Marion Community School of the Arts (CSA) – To save community theatre in Grant County through the acquisition of the Marion Civic Theatre.
– Grant from the Community Foundation: $15,000
– Raised from the community: $23,460
– Total amount to the organization: $38,460

Habitat for Humanity of Grant County – To support the construction of a new home in Grant County.
– Grant from the Community Foundation: $20,000
– Raised from the community: $25,660
– Total amount to the organization: $45,660

2021 Third Path Capacity-Building Cohort Grant (Year One): Total Grantmaking $149,167

We challenged organizations to propose a plan that will deepen their relationship with another organization. The organizations selected will take part in a three-year capacity-building program with a grant component. This cohort style will not only provide opportunities for members to deepen relationships between their partnering organizations, but with all the organizations in the cohort, including the Community Foundation. The organizations selected to participate in the Third Path Cohort, and receive a grant are:

Carey Services – To incorporate the necessary services of the Grant County Society for Crippled Children and Adults into Carey Services programming; $49,167

Hope House, College Wesleyan Church, and Grant County Family YMCA – To create an outdoor community center with events and programming which will be implemented by Hope House, College Wesleyan Church, and the Grant County YMCA; $50,000

Grant County Rescue Mission, and Thriving Grant County, Thriving Mill Township – To create the Mill Township Community Resource Center by restoring the historic St. Paul Episcopal Church of Gas City; $50,000

2020 Rapid Response Grants: Total Grantmaking $129,127
Family Service Society
Carey Services
Project Leadership
Second Harvest Food Bank
Grant County Rescue Mission
Bridges to Health
St. Martin de Porres Community Center
Children’s Bureau
Hope House Ministry
LifeStream Services
Grace House for Transition & Recovery
PAWSS – People for Animals Working Side-by-Side
Affordable Housing Corporation
Gas City Rescue Squad
Lift Eastbrook Afterschool, Inc.
Marion-Grant County Senior Center
Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home
Ivy Tech Foundation
Hands of Hope

2019 Give to Grant Collaborative Grants: Total Grantmaking $31,850
CSA-Marion Community School of the Arts – 2019-2020 CSA Student Performance Series; $5,000
Hands of Hope – “Whatever it Takes” initiative to address domestic violence victims struggling with substance abuse; $10,000
Grant County Rescue Mission – Construction repair of the Open Heart Women’s Shelter; $12,904
Indiana Wesleyan University Tennis Program – Tennis equipment for the IWU Tennis Program’s elementary school program; $3,201
Kinwell Academy – Financial education for Kinwell Academy students; $745

2019 Crowdfunding Grants: Total Grantmaking $112,842

Carey Services – For two new transportation buses
– Grant from the Community Foundation: $10,000
– Raised from the community: $10,150
– Total amount to the organization: $20,150

Hoosier Shakes – For their 2019 summer stock season
– Grant from the Community Foundation: $10,000
– Raised from the community: $11,500
– Total amount to the organization: $21,500

Marion Parks Department – For six new pickleball courts with lighting in Matter Park
– Grant from the Community Foundation: $20,000
– Raised from the community: $39,192
– Total amount to the organization: $59,192

SAWs – Servants at Work – Materials and installation of twelve wooden wheelchair ramps
– Grant from the Community Foundation: $6,000
– Raised from the community: $6,000
– Total amount to the organization: $12,000

2019 February Grants: Total Grantmaking $37,801

Bridges to Health – For individuals to participate in a smoking cessation program; $5,000
Cancer Services of Grant County – Breast Education Screening Survival (BESS) program; $10,000
Bridges to Health – New desktop computers and printers; $9,676
Euclid Neighborhood Association – To replenish the tree stock in the Euclid Neighborhood; $3,200
WonderSpace – To provide support for high quality, safe, and inclusive play in Grant County; $9,925

2018 August Grants: Total Grantmaking $64,762

Boys and Girls Club of Grant County – Google Chromebooks, projector and screen; $7,000
CSA – Marion Community School of the Arts – Student Performance Series; $5,000
Fairmount Police Department – AED’s for the Fairmount Police department; $3,118
Family Service Society – Hands of Hope – To replace the fence at the Flannery-Keal Home; $5,000
Gas City Concerts in the Park – Gas City Concerts in the Park 2019 concert series; $5,000
Grant County Sheriffs Chaplaincy – Manhood 101 program; $5,000
Kinwell Academy, Inc. – Life Coach for Kinwell Academy students; $10,000
Mississinewa Community Schools – Comprehensive outdoor/nature educational classroom; $10,000
Services for the Visually and Hearing Impaired, Inc. – Central air conditioning unit; $2,000
Walkway of Lights – Display for the Walkway of Lights; $2,644
YMCA of Grant County – Blighted property elimination and downtown improvement; $10,000

2018 Crowdfunding Grants: Total Grantmaking $121,632

Quilters Hall of Fame – Maintenance attention of the exterior of The Marie Webster House; $4,500
– Grant from the Community Foundation: $4,500
– Raised from the community: $5,500
– Total amount to organization: $10,000

Marion High School Alumni Association – Marion Giants marching band uniforms; $20,000
– Grant from the Community Foundation: $20,000
– Raised from the community: $20,725
– Total amount to the organization: $40,725

City of Gas City – Veterans Monument in downtown Gas City; $15,000
– Grant from the Community Foundation: $15,000
– Raised from the community: $54,407
– Total amount to the organization: $69,407

The Amara House – Proactive Grant for capacity building ; $1,500

2018 January Grants: Total Grantmaking $53,030.72

Upland Area Greenways Association – Pave the first mile of pedestrian and bicycle trails in Upland; $10,000
Grant County Rescue Mission – Renovate the women’s shelter; $10,000
Hostess House – Purchase and install a security system and smoke detectors; $6,447
Hoosier Shakes, Inc.– Funding for another season of Shakespeare; $2,500
The United Way – Marketing material for Early Childhood Coalition to inform parents about Kindergarten readiness and On My Way Pre-K; $5,025
The Training Center – Chrome notebooks and charging unit; $3,500
On My Way Pre-K – 5% match for the $211,174.39 state grant for 100 students countywide; $10,558.72
Capacity Building Training – Partnership with Harris International for additional Leadership Development for local non-profit orgs; $5,000