Community Foundation Awards More Than $100,000 in Grants to Local Nonprofits

The Community Foundation of Washington County MD presented its 2017 responsive grants to 21 local nonprofits at the Washington County Community Action Council on March 16. Total dollars for this year’s grants equaled $116,908. The Foundation has granted more than $1 million since this program’s inception 14 years ago.  The grants committee awarded grants to Washington County nonprofits and programs based on the following funding statement: “The Community Foundation’s Responsive Grants will focus on the development of a stronger community through programs related to youth development with an emphasis on poverty, mental health, education and family stability.”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:Brook Lane Health Services--$1,600--Mental health first-aid trainingCFWC Imagination Library--$5,000--Books to children birth to fiveCommunity Free Clinic--$5,000--SWAG expansion (teen awareness)Community Free Clinic--$10,000--Acute care clinic in Bester CommunityCourt Appointed Special Advocates--$4,350--Advocacy services to childrenFamily Healthcare of Hagerstown--$6,050--Dental care for uninsured pediatric patientsFarmers & Hunters--$1,500--Youth hunter initiativeGirls Inc. of Wash. Co.--$7,800--K.I.D.S. “Kids, Integrating, Developing, Succeeding”Hagerstown Area Religious Council--$5,000--Micah’s BackpackHCC Alumni Association--$1,500--Student government food pantryHagerstown YMCA--$4,845--Leadership in training (LIT) for teensHEAL--$14,430--Open Minds—Mindfulness/yoga programHospice of Wash. Co.--$2,500--Camp Hope ‘N’ CopeInterfaith Service Coalition--$4,015--Martha’s HouseLadders to Leaders--$5,000--Historic preservation apprenticeshipMaryland Entertainment Group--$5,000--Elementary School Show on lonelinessMD Food Bank-Western Branch--$5,000--WCPS pantry programMaryland Symphony Orchestra--$3,298--Ensembles in the Schools Education ProgramREACH of Washington County--$5,000--Cold weather shelter case managementSalvation Army--$3,500--Women & children’s shelterStar Community--$4,520--Character Reins (equine & academic activities)Valor Ministries--$2,000--Crisis assistance family program in emergenciesWash Co Community Action Council--$10,000--Crisis Intervention assistance for safe housing