COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BOARD APPROVES $611,033 IN GRANTS

LORAIN, OHIO, September 2, 2004 -- The Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Greater Lorain    County voted to approve $611,033 in 32 grants to local nonprofit organizations in the fields of arts and culture, civic affairs, education, health and social services.

In Social Services, twelve grants totaling $268,900 will be distributed to organizations providing services to the needy, youth, prevention of violence and substance abuse.  A grant of $20,000 for After School Tutorial Services was awarded to Save Our Children, Inc., of Elyria.  The Salvation Army of Elyria also received $20,000 for their Community Center for Youth.  Other organizations receiving grants in the area of social services include $12,500 to Horizon Activities Centers for childcare scholarships, $20,000 to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lorain County for general operating support, and $25,000 to the Community Impact Organization for its Campus Impact and Technology Center.

A total of $45,000 was awarded to three local organizations in the area of Arts and Culture.  Ohio Dance Theatre of Oberlin received $20,000 and TrueNorth Cultural Arts received $10,000 for general operating support.  Great Lakes Theater Festival received a grant of $15,000 for its School Residency Program and Student Matinee Series.

In the area of civic affairs, a total of $175,700 was awarded to 11 organizations including Lorain County Habitat for Humanity who received $23,700 towards new home construction.  Main Street Wellington received a grant of $10,000 for a revitalization project, and the Lorain County Urban League was awarded $35,000 for general operations.

The Elyria City Health Department will continue its Pediatric Dental Care Program with a grant of $25,000 in the area of health.  Family Planning Services of Lorain County also received $24,000 to support the salary of their medical director.

A total of $49,433 was awarded in the area of education.  Elyria City Schools received a grant of $27,198 for its Community Collaboration Program, and Lorain Public Library was the recipient of $11,515 for Project LITE, a literacy and tutoring program.

Other grants approved by the Board at its recent meeting include:
Civic Affairs
Cleveland Restoration Society - $5,000 for the Preservation Resource Center of Northeastern Ohio.

Direct Action for Central Lorain - $20,000 for the 2004 Community Initiative.

Leadership Lorain County - $15,000 for general operating support.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation - $50,000 for Entrepreneurs for the American Dream.

Lorain County Historical Society - $5,000 for the Lorain County Preservation Network

Lorain Port Authority - $2,000 for PortFest 2004:  Tall Ships

Port of Lorain Foundation - $10,000 for the Lighthouse Museum

South Lorain Community Development Corporation - $25,000 for general operating support.

Education
Cleveland Institute of Art - $5,000 for Scholarships for Lorain County students.

Elyria Public Library - $2,720 for Project READ.

National Inventors Hall of Fame - $3,000 for the Club Invention Afterschool Program.

Social Services
Blessing House - $25,000 for the Respite Center.

Catholic Charities Services of Lorain County - $40,000 for Community Connections and Family Night.

Child Care Resource Center - $45,250 for a Child Care Scholarship Fund for Lorain County.

El Centro de Servicios Sociales, Inc. - $20,000 for general operating support.

Heart of Ohio Council, Inc. - $15,000 for Urban Scoutreach.

W.G. Nord Mental Health Center - $25,000 for a Housing Service Case Manager.

Stephen Therapy and Riding, Inc. - $1,150 for NARHA Certification.

The Community Foundation has a family of more than 300 endowed funds established through the generosity of individuals and corporations in Lorain County.  Investment income earned by these funds is awarded annually as grants and scholarships.  Since 1980, the Community Foundation has contributed more than $30 million to a wide range of projects in Lorain County.

The next general grant cycle deadline is February 1, 2005.  For additional information about the Community Foundation, please call (440) 277-0142 or (440) 323-4445 or click here Applying for a Grant.