The Green River Area Community Foundation (GRACF) is awarding $50,000 in grants to 10 nonprofits in the greater Owensboro area.
GRACF conducted a grant process that resulted in 55 local nonprofits submitting applications, an all-time high.
“Our local nonprofits have so many financial needs, making the award decisions very difficult,” said Greg Longtine, Chair of the GRACF Grantmaking Committee. “We wished we could have funded them all. They’re all doing such important and valuable work.”
Some of the projects and programs receiving funds include the Empowerment Academy to support the completion of a dorm room for two students 18 or older who are in high school or college needing a safe place to reside; the RiverPark Center to support the production of a play depicting the life of Moneta Sleet, the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for journalism; and Girls, Inc. to help provide mental health therapists who will provide services regularly on site.
All 10 charitable organizations receiving funds are:
- Empowerment Academy
- Fresh Start for Women
- Junior Achievement of West Kentucky
- Union County Happy Pack Weekend Feeding Program
- Care Net of Owensboro
- Owensboro Daviess County Regional Dental Clinic
- Girls, Inc.
- Help Office of Owensboro Daviess County
- RiverPark Center
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul Central District of Owensboro
Grants were possible by utilizing funds from the Owensboro-Daviess County Community Fund, the Green River Area Community Foundation Endowment Fund, and the Field-Weller Endowment Fund.
The Owensboro Daviess County Endowment Fund was one of the first funds established 30 years ago when the local Community Foundation began. Contributions were made by many of the original Foundation leaders, and community members continue to contribute annually. The Green River Area Community Foundation Endowment was created less than five years ago, and helps fund nonprofits in Hancock, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster counties.
Amy Silvert, GRACF Executive Director, thinks most people in the community still know little about what the Community Foundation entails.
“They might hear about the annual grants, but those are only the investments made to our local charitable organizations from our community endowment funds,” Silvert said. “We have so many generous donors who support their own charitable interests through donor advised funds they establish at the Community Foundation, which provides an even higher level of financial support for our nonprofits.”
The Green River Area Community Foundation is an affiliate foundation of the Community Foundation of Louisville (CFL).
