Grant Funds Awarded
CF Release - September 17, 2009

The Community Foundation of the Quincy Area awarded 10 grants from unrestricted endowments totaling $10,500 to nonprofit organizations that represent a wide range of local, charitable interests. The checks from unrestricted endowment funds were awarded during an awards presentation today at Douglass Community Services, Hannibal, Missouri.  
 
''Now more than ever it is vital to continue to address the changing needs of our communities by matching donor intent with the needs of people in the tri-state area,'' said Jill Arnold Blickhan, executive director. ''These grants support nonprofit organizations that are actively improving the quality of life in the communities they serve.''  
 
As of this morning, the Community Foundation has awarded more than 725 grants totaling over $1,125,000 providing local support for various programs and projects in the tri-states. Grants were presented to the following organizations:  
 
o Northeast Missouri Chapter, American Red Cross: The Northeast Chapter of the American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The organization received two grants. One to support a program to offer Red Cross babysitting training to at-risk youth and another to purchase a projector and portable screen for use in its outreach programs.  
 
o Center for Effective Nonprofits: As an intermediary agency, the Center for Effective Nonprofits (CEN) assists, promotes, represents and strengthens community organizations as they improve the quality of life for those they serve. CEN aids community organizations in capacity building so that they can better serve their clients. This grant will be used for the annual membership fee of and new materials for the West Central Illinois Philanthropy Center (WCIPC) at John Wood Community College.  
 
o Douglass Community Services for Head Start and Early Head Start Program: The mission of Head Start is to prepare children academically, physically and socially; empower families; and influence communities in the support of families. The award will provide support in health literacy for 200 low-income families in the service area.  
 
o Douglass Community Services for Kids In Motion: The Kids In Motion program teaches teens and pre-teens to value work, their community and their future. The organization focuses the majority of their efforts on at-risk youth, being referred by the school, juvenile office, social service organizations and others. This request will provide general support for Kids in Motion program that teaches at-risk youth to value work, their community and their future.  
 
o Girl Scouts of Central Illinois: Girl Scouting builds courage, confidence and character in girls to make the world a better place. This grant will assist the organization with Girls Day Out in Brown County, helping to educate girls ages 10-12 on making healthy choices.  
 
o Hancock County Health and Wellness Coalition: The Hancock County Health and Wellness Coalition is a local charitable collaborative formed in 2006 to increase the capacity of the programs and services of the Hancock County Health Department to meet the health needs of area residents. The funding provided will assist in purchasing equipment for the expanded meeting/conference room of the Hancock County Health Department and will allow the Department to better meet needs of its residents.  
 
o Hannibal Free Clinic: The Clinic promotes health and wellness by providing quality services, at no cost, to adults ages 18-65 who do not have access to basic medical care. This grant will provide general support to help the Hannibal Free Clinic respond to the current health needs of the area.  
 
o Douglass Community Services for Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP): RSVP is part of the National Corporation for Service and provides opportunities for senior adults, ages 55 and older, to enrich their lives and their communities by participating in volunteer activities. The program encourages seniors to bring their lifetime of talent, experiences, education, skills, and hobbies to community projects and nonprofit organizations. The Community Foundation funding will provide assistance to volunteers who provide medical transportation to seniors and low income individuals.  
 
o Walter Hammond Day Care, Inc.: Walter Hammond Day Care provides quality childcare services for low to middle income families. This grant will be used to re-surface playgrounds to meet licensing standards and to provide a safe learning environment for their children.  
 
The Community Foundation annually accepts competitive grant requests from nonprofit organizations awarded from unrestricted funds held with the Foundation. Earnings from the following unrestricted endowments make todays grants possible:  
 
 Anonymous Friend  
 Karl H. & Bobbi Bowles Family and Quincy Farm & Home Supply Company Fund  
 Community Endowment Fund  
 Dr. & Mrs. Merle F. Crossland Family Fund  
 Harry Channon Eaton Family Endowment Fund  
 Evelyn J. Fusselman Fund  
 Harry J. & Bernice M. Wissman Heidbreder Fund  
 Mrs. Arthur O. Lindsay Fund  
 Robert A. & Anne M. Mays Fund  
 Robert G. and Melva Campbell Riley Fund  
 Charles A. & Nancy Scholz Charitable Fund  
 Margaret J. Sinnock Fund  
 Grant L. & K. Georgann Sturhahn Fund  
 Dorothy L. Swallow Fund  
 
These are among 100 funds that have been established to support arts and culture, community betterment, education, health or human services.  
 
Thanks to the investment in the community that these individuals and families have made, adds Blickhan, organizations in the area will continue to serve the needs of our citizens.  
 
The Community Foundation is a nonprofit resource that connects people who care with causes that matter in the tri-states. It encompasses 13 area counties and works with donors to build charitable funds that support local causes. It is an endowment builder, a donor advisor, community connector and grant maker. The Community Foundation was established with enthusiasm and just $1,050 dollars in late 1997.  
 
For more information, call 217-222-1237, email grantsqacf@adams.net or go to www.mycommunityfoundation.org.