Centre Foundation’s annual round of competitive grants have been finalized and checks totaling about $41,000 will be released! These grants are funded by Field-of-Interest Funds, which were established by the original donors to support various causes or geographic areas in Centre County. There are currently 13 of these funds, which open for applications each September.
“We received 117 applications from 52 organizations across Centre County,” explained Executive Director, Molly Kunkel. “The decisions were tough, but our staff and our board members ultimately decided these were the right projects to fund at this time.”
This annual granting cycle will distribute funds to communities and projects in each of the five Centre County school districts. It will fund programs that focus on education, health and social services, animal welfare, at-risk youth, and the performing arts. People across the county will be able to feel the impact of these numerous grants.
The Philipsburg Area Fund’s $1,512 grant will go to the Central PA Community Action’s Food Pantry to strengthen and expand nutrition services to those in need in Philipsburg.
The Counseling Service Fund, which supports organizations that provide behavioral and mental health counseling services in Centre County, made its $9,231 to the Community Help Centre for counseling services. This fund will allow the Community Help Centre to provide immediate, compassionate responses 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Centre County Medical Society Fund promotes healthy lifestyles for children, making its $1,053 grant a perfect partner for Park Forest Preschool’s fruit and vegetable nutrition program.
The Patricia Farrell Music Fund supports all types of music programs – especially those focused on children – and is named after a former chair of Centre Foundation, an active community volunteer, a Penn State professor, and a musician. This year, the $6,291 was given to Discovery Space for their Music Makers Program.
J. Alvin and Vera E. Knepper Hawbaker Memorial Endowment Fund will grant $3,631 to the YMCA of Centre County to support enhancements to an outdoor pond at their Penns Valley facility. Located in Spring Mills, this new venue will provide educational and recreational programming for children and families in the community.
The Carolyn A. Petrus Memorial Seeing Eye Dog Fund will grant $11,785 to The Seeing Eye. This grant will provide instruction for Centre County residents partnered with Seeing Eye dogs in upcoming classes.
The Ruth E. Rishel Charitable Fund focuses on Rishel’s home community of Penns Valley. This $1,959 grant was divided among two organizations this year.
YMCA of Centre County will receive a $1,579 grant to supplement the aforementioned pond project in Spring Mills.
Centre County Youth Services Bureau will receive $380 to use towards connecting with youth in the Centre Associates Mobile Home Park. This program goes into communities to help keep these youth safe, help with homework, provide mentorship, and distribute healthy snacks.
The Centre Children’s Fund, supporting services to at-risk children, will also be divided among two organizations.
Central Intermediate Unit #10 will use a grant of $1,100 to implement art-based programming for juvenile offenders ages 12-21. These programs will provide a creative and therapeutic outlet to address emotional and behavioral challenges, develop new talents, and communicate their thoughts and ideas through artistic exploration.
Centre County Youth Services Bureau will receive a $492 grant to provide healthy food and snacks to youth who visit their centers across the county.
The Louis E. and Patricia H. Silvi Fund was established to support at-risk children, especially in the areas of early childhood education programs that improve the health, care, and education of young children. This year, the fund’s $996 grant will go Easter Seals to buy supplies and to fund their Therapeutic Recreation Programs, which include Horseback Riding and an All Abilities Social Group.
The Mattil Family Fund will split $902 between three organizations that support animal welfare.
This fund will provide $326 to support to Centre County PAWS’ Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP provides low cost spay/neuter vouchers Centre County pet owners in need.
Pets Come First will also receive $326 to support their cat spay/neuter program, which helps to eliminate the number of neglected and abused animals in our community
And, Centre County Animal Response Team will receive $250 to purchase animal care supplies for emergency response preparation.
The Ben Franklin Fund supports community projects in Centre, Clearfield, Huntingdon, and Mifflin counties, carrying out Franklin’s commitment to giving back to Pennsylvania’s communities. This fund’s $1,866 grant will be divided among three organizations.
Central Intermediate Unit #10 will receive $500 to further supplement the art-based programming for juvenile offenders, mentioned above.
Schlow Centre Region Library will receive $683 to expand the offerings of their downloadable audiobook collection through the addition of 59 new popular children and adult titles.
Finally, Huntingdon County Library will receive $683 to fund the first-ever “Maker Faire” in Huntingdon. The event will be a celebration of the Maker Movement and will be a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness.
For more information about all of Centre Foundation’s granting opportunities, please visit our website, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, or contact our Grants & Scholarship Coordinator, Ashley Pipe (ashley@centre-foundation.org | 814-237-6229).).
To learn more about setting up your own fund to support a passion near to your heart, please contact our Development & Events Coordinator, Irene Miller (irene@centre-foundation.org | 814-237-6229).
