The Wayne County Foundation is pleased to announce that seventeen local organizations have been awarded a total of $153,050 through Grant Cycle II and other recent grant opportunities. Grants made through the Foundation’s Grant Cycles are designed to support local programs or projects that enhance the spirit of the community and improve the quality of life across Wayne County.
“Wayne County is made better through the hard work of our local nonprofit organizations,” said Executive Director Rebecca Gilliam. “The Foundation is very pleased to have the opportunity to support these organizations through our Grant Cycles and other grantmaking opportunities.”
Grant Cycle II is the second of three cycles in 2023. During this Grant Cycle, the Foundation received twenty-eight requests, with total funds requested of over $322,000. Of these, thirteen organizations were provided funding for a total of $139,550. Grant Cycle III will open on August 7, 2023.
The Wayne County Foundation’s grantmaking is made possible by many individual donors that create funds to support Wayne County. Below is the list of the grants awarded through July of 2023.
American Red Cross of Indiana ($7,500) to support immediate, basic needs and to offer ongoing recovery casework and assistance to families who have been displaced or affected by house fires in Wayne County.
Animal Care Alliance ($4,250) to purchase an on-site storage unit for pet food donations.
Brighter Path Inc. ($7,500) to provide Equine Assisted Therapy to low-income families for reduced costs.
Communities in Schools of Wayne County ($15,000) to support the continuation of the Site Coordination program in Wayne County.
Every Child Can Read, Inc. ($15,000) to support the expansion of ECCR’s programs with the purchase of books for children in Wayne County through currently established programs: Rx for Reading, Books at Birth (Reid Health), and K-Ready.
Girls, Inc. of Wayne County ($15,000) to provide funding for a fence for the organization’s side yard, creating a second outdoor play area and program space.
Golay Community Center ($15,000) to repurpose existing, unused, outdoor basketball courts into additional pickleball courts.
Hayes Arboretum ($7,000) to install outdoor, educational beehives.
Indiana Women in Need Foundation ($2,800) to support the Wayne County Survivor Support Program.
Neighborhood Health Center ($15,000) to further expand transportation assistance to patients, removing barriers to patients obtaining health care.
Sunrise Therapeutic Riding Center ($7,500) to provide Equine Assisted Therapy to low-income families for reduced costs.
Western Wayne Schools ($22,000) to support Communities in School (CIS) Site Coordinators in Western Wayne Schools.
Women’s Workshop Richmond ($6,000) to provide funding for new workshop equipment.
Outside of Grant Cycle II, two organizations were awarded Mini Grants through the Foundation. These grants are designed to serve smaller projects, short term programs, or unplanned opportunities that require immediate funding.
Open Arms Ministries received a grant in the amount of $1,500 to support the organization’s expansion and the furnishing of additional office space at Central United Methodist Church.
Safety Village of Wayne County received a grant in the amount of $4,000 to support the purchase of four picnic tables for the facility.
Additionally, the Town of Cambridge City received a grant in the amount of $7,000 to purchase high-tech body cameras and software for the Cambridge City Police Department. This project was partially funded by the Roscoe (Ross) Jones Foundation Fund.
And finally, the Dalton Township Trustee received a grant in the amount of $1,000 to serve individuals and families in Dalton Township. This project was funded by the Wayne County Cares Fund.
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Since 1979, the Wayne County Foundation has existed to foster and encourage private philanthropic giving, to enhance the spirit of community and to improve the quality of life in the Wayne County, Indiana, area now and for future generations.