Funds from this grant will cover most of the construction material and labor costs necessary to renovate existing space in our building into a new training classroom, said Ted Van Name, president and CEO of Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County. We urgently need more classroom space and this grant from the Delaware Community Foundation will make that possible, added Van Name.

The Delaware Community Foundation manages charitable funds for individuals, families, businesses and organizations, and distributes income from the funds as grants to humanitarian, educational, health and cultural entities throughout Delaware.

For 88 years, Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware Countys mission has been to improve the quality of life for individuals with barriers to employment through vocational services and work opportunities and has been supported by proceeds from retail sales and donations. Last year alone, Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County provided over 6,900 services to individuals throughout the region.

Sometimes a little can go a long way. Like the endowment left to a local community foundation by a Danville author who passed away in 2007.

Richard Brown, author of the book, “The History of Danville and Boyle County,” died in December 2007. But he left behind some money for the Wilderness Trace Community Foundation, money that the foundation expects will be helping area communities for a long time to come.

Paul Elwyn, with Wilderness Trace, said the money Brown left behind was put into an endowment in his name. The endowment is invested, and the return on investment is used partly to fund grants and partly to grow the endowment for future grants.

Established in 1987, the Coastal Community Foundation is a resource and service for the north coastal communities, including Carmel Valley, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, La Costa, Carlsbad and Oceanside.

Through the power of endowments and grant making, donors personalize giving in a way that meets their needs and desires. The Foundation staff and board help connect donors to causes they care about the most. Individuals are ensured that their donation will continue to work to make their communities better and stronger in perpetuity.

The mission of the Coastal Community Foundation is to enhance the quality of life in the north coast by helping donors achieve their current and long-term charitable goals, helping professional advisors aid their clients and helping nonprofits support their programs and services.

The Trustees of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts recently announced $511,500 in competitive grant awards to area organizations.

Fifty-five Pioneer Valley projects will receive this funding with awards ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. The Community Foundation awards competitive grants twice each year, allocating funds to nonprofit organizations for projects addressing community needs, including arts and culture, education, environment, health, housing and human services for Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.