Community Foundation of West Georgia Issues $305,000 to 33 Local Nonprofit Organizations

The Community Foundation of West Georgia today issued grants from its Community Impact Fund totaling $305,000 to 33 nonprofit organizations from Carroll, Haralson and Heard counties.

Since the first grants were issued from the Community Impact Fund in 2004, a total of $2,250,000 has been distributed to local organizations, supporting human service, arts and culture, environmental, economic development, education, medical and hospice programs.

Funds are distributed through a competitive grant process with six panels considering requests, assisting the Foundation in the review and analysis of the applications and making recommendations to the Foundation Board of Directors. Local nonprofit organizations, faith-based and government agencies are eligible to apply for grants. This year requests for a total of $ 621,000 were received.

The Community Impact Fund offers donors a unique opportunity to make a difference in their community no matter how much they can give.

“For donors who feel they can’t donate enough to matter, the Community Impact Fund is the perfect way to give. It works because donations from many people come together and add up to significant local grants, which truly are making a difference in thousands of lives in our communities,” said Kim Jones, president of the Foundation.

“It is an endowed fund, so every donation not only contributes for one season, but it continues to give, year after year,” she said. “When people give they can be confident that the Foundation is a good steward of their donations, and they can see the difference their donations are making.”

The Foundation has introduced a number of initiatives to encourage donations to the Community Impact Fund. One of the newest initiatives encourages donors to commit donations of just $20 a month for 20 years. “Events for Impact” offer donors a fun way to encourage others to participate in the Community Impact Fund. They have included parties, painting classes, scavenger hunts, mom’s night out, an outing in a park and a magic show.

For more information about making donations to the Community Impact Fund or to apply for a grant, contact Kim Jones at 770-832-1462 or kim@cfwg.net. Donations can be made by check or online at the Foundation’s Web site, cfwg.net.

The grant recipients are:

Arts & Culture

· Carrollton Artist Guild: MeccaFest children’s activities (2012)

· Carrollton Teen Theatre: 2012 summer production

· University of West Georgia Foundation: Townsend Center Art in Education (2011-2012)

· University of West Georgia Foundation: Townsend Center West Georgia Presents online ticket service

· City of Bowdon: Copeland Hall update

· University of West Georgia Foundation: Center for Public History “New Harmonies” root music traditions

Medical & Hospice

· University of West Georgia Foundation School of Nursing: SimMan 3G patient simulator

· University of West Georgia Foundation: Speech/Hearing Clinic aphasia support group and clinic assistance

Economic Development

· Carrollton Main Street Program: Web site and iPhone app

· Tallapoosa Cornerstone, Inc.: façade grant program

· Carroll County Economic Development Foundation, Inc.: Carroll Tomorrow operating support

· University of West Georgia Foundation: Center for Public History West Georgia Textile Trail

Education

· Boys & Girls Club of Carroll County: Manhood and Smart Girls programs

· Friends of the Buchanan-Haralson Public Library: Technology 21

· Tallapoosa Public Library: children’s collection

· Bowdon Sewell Public Library: children’s listening corner

· Temple Middle School: instruments for Temple Tigers

· Heard County Community Partnership: HEROEs Literacy Initiative

· Haralson Learning Always Means Progress, Inc. (LAMP): Adult Education/Stay-in-School

· Carroll Literacy Is For Today & Tomorrow, Inc. (LIFT): operating support

· Carroll and Haralson Ferst Foundations (Joint): Ferst Foundation books

· St. Margaret’s Community Outreach, Inc.: Community Family Mentoring program

Environmental Improvement

· Keep Carroll Beautiful, Inc.: litter prevention program

Human Services

· Open Hands United Christian Ministry: reading glasses, coats, blankets and assistance

· Heard County Food Pantry with Heard County Community Partnership: Heard backpack food program

· Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church: Manna House Food Pantry

· St. Margaret’s Community Outreach, Inc.: General assistance

· St. Vincent de Paul Society (OLPHC): Emergency direct aid

· Carroll County CASA, Inc.: volunteer recruitment

· CASA of Polk & Haralson, Inc.: Child abuse prevention

· The Life’s Star Project, Inc.: Safe Haven Family Services

· Impact International, Inc.: 415 HOPE Center

· Carroll County Alzheimer’s Group: Respite Care

· Re-Entry Coalition, Inc.: re-entry program services