The Community Foundation of Washington County MD presented its 2018 responsive grants to 21 local nonprofits at the Discovery Station on March 15. Total dollars for this year’s grants equaled $126,415. The Foundation has granted more than $1 million since this program’s inception 15 years ago.The grants committee awarded grants to Washington County nonprofits and programs focused on the development of a stronger community through programs addressing the following areas: Family Stability including financial literacy, employment, housing and basic needs; Youth Development with a focus on mentoring, advocacy and mental health; and Arts, recreation and educational opportunities with some emphasis on the under-served.
Resources for the responsive grants come from the growth and earnings of established Community Funds at the Foundation as well as a partnership with the Pauline Anderson Foundation. The Foundation presented grants to the following 23 programs:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters: $6,800 to expand its site-based mentoring program
- Boys & Girls Club: $10,000 for ProjectSMART
- Brook Lane Health Services: $1,000 for SELF (trauma-informed group program)
- C&O Canal Trust: $2,500 for Canal classrooms
- CFWC Imagination Library: $5,000 for books to children birth to five
- Community Free Clinic: $10,000 towards YOLO (Youth Overcoming Life's Obstacles)
- Community Free Clinic: $10,000 for HOPE (Holistic Healing Program)
- Court Appointed Special Advocates: $4,568 for advocacy services for children
- Discovery Station: $5,000 towards Discovery Town exhibit
- Doleman Black History Museum: $9,164 for museum enhancements & updates
- Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry: $1,125 towards hunger relief
- Ft. Ritchie Community Center: $5,572 towards a summer transportation program
- Girls Inc. of Wash. Co.: $5,625 for Kids, Integrating, Developing, Succeeding
- Hagerstown YMCA: $8,000 for Hancock Open Doors Summer Camp
- Hospice of Wash. Co.: $1,406 for Camp Hope ‘N’ Cope
- Interfaith Service Coalition: $4,000 towards Adventures in Friendship Camp
- Maugansville Fire Co.: $1,725 for fire prevention & education
- MD Food Bank-Western Branch: $3,750 for the WCPS pantry program
- REACH of Washington County: $10,000 for rapid rehousing
- San Mar Children’s Home: $7,500 for Collective Impact 2018
- Star Community: $3,600 for Character Reins
- WCMFA: $4,680 for middle school art education classes
- Western MD FCA: $5,400 for nutrition services for Power Camp