Hutchinson Community Foundation awards more than $14K in grants

18 Oct Hutchinson Community Foundation awards more than $14K in grants

Hutchinson Community Foundation awarded Fund for Reno County grants totaling $14,600 to three nonprofit organizations in September.

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:

Arlington Community PRIDE Association, $3,600: The purpose of the organization is to support local leadership, develop local resources, and encourage economic development to create a better environment for citizens of the small, rural community of Arlington. The group will sponsor a community flu vaccine clinic to be administered by KG Medical in Arlington. Grant funds will provide 30 free flu shots to Arlington community members who struggle to pay for them on their own. This project will also help promote the local availability of flu shots for those whose mobility and transportation may be a concern.

Hand Up, Inc., $6,000: The organization’s vision is to aid and guide members of the community who seek resources and opportunities to improve their lives and the lives of those around them. Hand Up, Inc. does this by providing a Community Healthcare Worker and peer mentors, who go beyond offering lists of agencies to contact to instead walk alongside individuals and families as they are connected to community resources. The newly established nonprofit organization has been operating on staff and volunteers’ personal equipment and services and will use the grant to establish an organization mailing address, purchase phone and internet service, and develop a website.

Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL), $5,000: KCSL works to prevent childhood abuse and neglect, offer family support, improve school readiness, and provide parent and community education in communities throughout Kansas. Their Healthy Families program in Reno County does this work through both home visitations and engagement opportunities, such as Parent Support Groups and Family Nights (play groups). These programs have proven hugely successful, and this grant funding, in combination with the 1-to-1 Medicaid match the grant leverages, will help update supplies and equipment for these events, which increase parent connections and reduce isolation.

Hutchinson Community Foundation’s mission is to inspire philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration to strengthen Reno County. Since 1989, the foundation has granted more than $97 million to organizations.