We’re only half way through the year and with news of $20,000 in new awards today, the Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation has now topped $50,000 in contributions to the community in the current year alone.
With news of more than $20,000 in new awards today to local non-profits, the foundation is providing assistance during the COVID coronavirus crunch.
The Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation has announced awards topping $20,000 to help launch educational, cultural, beautification and youth programs servicing the greater South Haven area. Eleven non-profit organizations were awarded funds for community projects.
This year’s grant recipients include:
- South Haven Center for the Arts
- Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum
- South Haven Scott Club
- People Helping People
- Maple Grove Elementary School
- YDC/PAL
- Benton Harbor First Tee
- South Haven Project CURB
- Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan
- Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy
The funding will support Kahlo art events, technology upgrades at South Haven Center for the Arts, the Liberty Hyde Bailey Annual Conference, Scott Club Piano Series, computers for after school programs, library upgrades at Maple Grove Elementary, field trips for summer camp, youth golf scholarships for South Haven students, landscaping and art display at South Haven High School, two additional area girl scout programs and land acquisition of Porter Legacy Dunes.
Andy Barnes, President of the Foundation says, “Although we are disheartened that some organizations had to withdraw their applications due to COVID-19 impacts, we are still very excited to see the outcome of these efforts,” and adds, “The Foundation is looking forward to the 2021 grant cycle being in more normalized times, providing more grant opportunities.”
The Foundation has made a significant impact this year, contributing over $50,000 to community initiatives and non-profits. In addition to the spring grants, The Foundation recently launched the Emergency Response Fund and donated $25,000 to the fund, which will grant money to local food, personal care and infant care pantries and provide meals to those in need.
Roger Beglin of the Foundation’s grant committee says, “We are so grateful for our donors who allowed us to step up our contributions at a time when the community needed it most.” He adds, “We will continue to raise funds strategically so that we can provide support during these uncertain times.” The Foundation’s Splash Pad Matching Fund is also still underway. The Foundation will match each donation, dollar for dollar, up to $25,000 towards the city project for a $50,000 total contribution.
Each spring, GSHACF requests grant proposals from the area’s non-profit organizations concentrating on the fields of art, culture, education, recreation, information and community health to enrich and improve the lives of area residents. To date, it has awarded over $400,000 to local organizations. Grant monies are made available by donations made to the GSHACF endowment fund.
In addition to grant distribution, the Foundation manages funds for many local non-profits through endowments. Those interested in starting an endowment fund or making donations to the funds can contact the Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation at execdirector@southhavencf.org or visit online at http://www.southhavencf.org for more information.
