Community Foundation awards $38,501 in Fund for Reno County grants

22 Feb Community Foundation awards $38,501 in Fund for Reno County grants

Hutchinson Community Foundation awarded Fund for Reno County grants totaling $38,501 to six nonprofit organizations in January.

Established in 1990, the Fund for Reno County serves as a permanent resource for the changing needs of Reno County. Grants represent an innovative approach or collaboration, a new efficiency, a critical need that requires funding or an opportunity that needs a bit of local support to leverage resources for the community.

Proposals for the grants are accepted year-round, with awards decided in January, March, May, July, September and November.

The following organizations received grants:

Alzheimer’s Association-Central & Western Kansas chapter, “Alz CARES,” $5,000: Funding will help provide direct services, such as support groups, care consultations and community education, to over 1,220 individuals in Reno County.

Bluestem PACE-Hutchinson, “Leg Press Increased Accessibility,” $10,258: Bluestem PACE-Hutchinson, which works to help seniors maintain independence and enhance their quality of life, will use funding to purchase an Air-300 Leg Press and small compressor so Reno County participants have access to onsite weight training equipment for strengthening leg and pelvic floor muscles.

Emanuel Lutheran Church, “Bicycle Repair & Share,” $750: Grant will support the continued work of Emanuel’s growing mission to provide rebuilt bicycles to those who have no other form of transportation.

Faris Elementary School, “Building Better Learners through Bal-A-Vis-X,” $1,063: Funding will support the purchase of equipment for Bal-A-Vis-X exercises, which are designed to build concentration, stamina, cooperation, focus and self-regulation skills.

Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters Serving Reno County, “One-to-One Mentoring Program,” $6,430: Big Brothers Big Sisters aims to provide quarterly organized activities for their Bigs and Littles. The grant will purchase supplies and pay entry fees and other expenses associated with those activities and will also support the development of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ office community space, allowing it to be a free and appropriate spot for Bigs and Littles to spend time together.

Pretty Prairie United Methodist Church, “Childcare Entry,” $15,000: In preparation for starting a child care center in the building, Pretty Prairie United Methodist Church will use this grant, along with support from the congregation’s building fund and money from the Great Plains UMC, to construct a new ground-level, ADA-compliant entrance. This grant is made from the Helen Adams Hamilton Children and Education Fund of Hutchinson Community Foundation.

Hutchinson Community Foundation’s mission is to inspire philanthropy, collaboration and innovative leadership to strengthen Reno County communities. Since 1989, the foundation has granted more than $93 million to organizations.

Read about other projects funded by Hutchinson Community Foundation.