The Wells County Foundation has awarded grants for the first grant cycle of 2022.
The board of directors are giving $48,677 for the first of three grant cycles in 2022. Eight grants were awarded the following:
• Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department received two grants. The first is for $10,000 to assist in funding the 2022 Kehoe Park Free Concert Series. The 2022 series will include seven free concerts, performed at the Rotary Stage at Kehoe Park.
This year’s series will include four Friday evening concerts. Performers scheduled for this year’s series are Last Child (Aerosmith tribute) – June 24; Fleetwood Gold (Fleetwood Mac tribute) – July 8; Simply Elton (Elton John tribute) – July 29; and Sail On (Beach Boys tribute) – Aug. 5. The series will also include the following Sunday evening concerts: Gospel Celebration – June 26 (local community artists); Ok Boomer (easy listening) – July 10; and Sugar Shot (country) – Aug. 7. The grant will come from the Community Enhancement Endowment Fund.
The second grant at the parks department received is for $9,078. This grant will help fund a parks department goal of upgrading park facilities to be in compliance with regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act
The grant will provide funding for the purchase of three accessible swings and five accessible picnic tables. The grant will come from the G. Robert and Emma Studabaker Endowment Fund for the Physically and/or Mentally Challenged Fund.
• Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana will receive $5,000 to provide funding for client advocate and client services programming for residents of Wells County.
In 2021, Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana assisted 100 Wells County families who had a loved one diagnosed with cancer. Financial assistance, durable medical equipment and health care supply items, nutritional drinks, wigs, hats and scarves were among the types of assistance received by Wells County residents through Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana. The grant is being made through the Margaret Powers Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
• The Creative Arts Council of Wells County will receive $949 to fund a public address and sound system. This system will be utilized primarily for dance classes, but will also be used for voice lessons, choir rehearsals and theater workshops. The grant is being made from the Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
• Kate’s Kart will receive $2,000 for the purchase of books utilized in the Kate’s Kart program at Bluffton Regional Medical Center. This program provides a free book to children who enter BRMC through the emergency room or admission to the hospital.
Books distributed through this program provide a temporary diversion to children and their families during their visit to the emergency room or a hospital stay.
An average of 40 books are distributed on a monthly basis through this program, totaling a distribution of 443 books in 2021. The grant will come from the Elizabeth Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
• Wells County Child Protection Team will receive $6,650 for full funding for the “Be Seen Be Heard” program to be presented to elementary students in all three Northern Wells Community schools/ The program will reach 2,580 students.
This program creates a safe and engaging atmosphere where students can learn about the difference between safe and unsafe touching, what is sexual abuse, and empowers students to tell a trusted adult if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
The programs are presented by Victor Pacini. The grant will come from the Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
• Youth for Christ will receive $10,000 to provide funding for Campus Life programming within the Bluffton-Harrison, Northern Wells and Southern Wells middle and high schools. Campus Life programming impacts more than 2,800 students in Wells County.
This grant will complement the Campus Life programming by providing money for the directors to purchase food for meetings, provide scholarships for students to attend Youth for Christ enrichment trips, leadership development and supplies for large group events.
The grant is coming from the Elizabeth Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
• Town of Zanesville will receive $5,000 to provide partial funding for the development of a master plan for the community of Zanesville.
Zanesville officials want to establish a plan that will include development goals and objectives to guide the future growth within and around Zanesville in a coordinated manner.
Additionally, the plan will assist the town in accessing public and private funding programs that may be available through the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, private foundations and other sources.
The grant will come from the Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
The Foundation considers grant proposals three times annually for those agencies seeking funding through the competitive grant process. Funding for these grants comes from the unrestricted funds which are administered by the Foundation.
Donors with broad philanthropic interests find that an unrestricted fund in the community foundation is a simple and flexible way to accomplish their charitable objectives. Contributing to an established unrestricted fund, or creating a new unrestricted fund is an excellent way to provide resources for grantmaking and help make a positive difference for the ever-changing needs in Wells County.
The Wells County Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit public charity established in 1957 to serve donors, award grants, and provide leadership to improve Wells County.
Grant proposals to be considered for the next cycle are due to the Foundation office by June 15.
