19 Dec The FCCF Awards $203,650 in Grants in 2017
The Fulton County Community Foundation (FCCF) awarded $203,650 in Community Fund grants to local nonprofit organizations in 2017.
The FCCF awarded an Impact Grant of $30,000 to the Fulton County Economic Development Corporation to assist in building Centennial Park, a new development on the corner of 9th and Main Street in downtown Rochester. The new green space includes native plant life, benches, stone pathways, repurposed wrought iron fencing, and outdoor art displays. New parking spaces, portable restrooms, and food vendor access are available at the rear of the park as well. Possible future plans for the park could include a pavilion or stage awning, where outdoor concerts and other events could be held.
A second Impact Grant of $10,000 was given to Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation for library technology and furniture upgrades. The goal of this project is to create a learning environment in the Middle and High School libraries that engages students in learning, collaboration, reading, and discussion. The furniture and technology will assist with the facilitation of a wide range of team-based projects.
A $5,000 grant was given to Akron Lions Club for an electronic sign for the Akron Community Center, which will be used for announcing important social events and activities to the community. The electric sign is much easier to use and is more modern than the previous outdoor sign.
The FCCF awarded $5,000 to Fulton County Leadership Academy (FCLA) for its Cutshall Park Project. A group from FCLA erected a 24 x 30 picnic shelter at the Cutshall Park in Akron. This shelter is located near the entrance to the park at the start of the newly constructed disc golf course. The construction of the shelter will allow facilitation of outdoor park activities, such as summer education programs, disc golf tournaments, family and community group picnics, and other gatherings.
An additional $1,500 was granted to Fulton County Leadership Academy (FCLA) for a video project. FCLA is partnering with Fulton County Tourism Commission to produce marketing videos that show the best qualities of Fulton County. The videos will be used with the intent to increase tourism and to therefore provide support to the entire community.
The Lake Bruce Conservancy District (LBCD) was awarded $3,000 for an early warning system. An early warning system will help to ensure safety of the local community in the event of an emergency situation. The system will especially help those who do not have the technology that might warn them of an emergency.
The Eta Mu Chapter of Psi Iota Xi received two grants. The first, a $1,000 award, is for the Downtown Art Banner contest for students in Rochester, Caston, and Tippecanoe Valley schools. The winning entries will be displayed on banners in the downtown area of Rochester in the spring of 2018. The second grant awarded was $1,500. These funds were used for the annual Fort Wayne Philharmonic Holiday Pops concert.
$5,000 was awarded to the Grass Creek Lions Park Fund for the purchase of four picnic tables. The new tables are made of plastic and recycled wood. They will be maintenance free and will replace old wooden tables that are damaged.
A $5,000 award was given to Fulton County Department of Parks and Recreation for the reconstruction of a building at Aubbeenaubbee Landing County Park. The group converted the building into a pavilion. The group also constructed an additional parking area. Since 2000, the park department has acquired eight properties, which have been combined into three parks and two nature preserves. The new pavilion and parking lot will enable public use of the park.
In addition to having fun in Fulton County parks, families in the community also enjoyed themselves at the Kewanna H.E.A.R.T. Fall Festival this year. The FCCF supported the annual festival with a $5,000 grant. Kewanna’s H.E.A.R.T. organized the event, which provided entertainment for families, education about the community, and celebration of local heroes.
$9,000 was given to Liberty Township Park for the repair and overlay paving of the basketball court. Liberty Township Park serves as a gathering place for sports organizations, an annual festival, reunions, and sports tournaments. The completed project will provide a smooth, durable, and safe court.
The Akron Park Board received $3,000 for its tree planting project. The organization planted trees along the Akron trails, along with markers that identify the species of the trees. The project will provide an educational experience for hikers, as well as shade, visual appeal, and general pleasure.
The Fulton County Council on Aging is a nonprofit organization that offers assistance to Fulton County seniors, including meals, transportation, and various programs. The FCCF gave the organization $17,600 for match money to purchase a new low-floor minivan and a medium transit vehicle for the transportation department, which offers public transportation to any person living in Fulton County.
The FCCF is also proud to support Fulton County Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976, and it started serving Fulton County in 1998. Habitat is making preparations on its 15th Fulton County home, and this FCCF grant of $9,500 will assist with the costs of the well and septic system.
Heartery, Inc. was formed in 2015 as a center for drama, music, and civic events in the town of Kewanna. It has sponsored a Blues concert, a four-day improvisation workshop, and other programs and events. The FCCF granted $6,550 to Heartery, Inc. for the installation of a ramp that will make its building handicap accessible.
Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry was awarded $2,500. The organization was established in 2011 with a mission to reduce hunger throughout Indiana. This grant was used to pay processing fees on large game and livestock, donated by hunters and farmers. The meat was given to Fulton County hunger relief agencies and then distributed back into the community to assist those in need of additional food services.
In addition to these grants, other dollars were allocated to special projects and programs, including $20,600 for preschool scholarships for Fulton County four-year-olds.
Grants are made possible through FCCF Community Funds. These endowed funds will continue to grow and support community projects now and forever.
For more information, contact FCCF Director of Development Brian Johnson at 574-224-3223 or e-mail fulton@nicf.org.