ATHENS Every year for the past nine years, the town and village of Athens have had their own personal version of Santa Claus, who hands out thousands of dollars in post-Christmas grants to local not-for-profit organizations.

This year, the Athens Community Foundation is living up to its reputation, distributing $138,040 in grants to 27 Athens-based civic, sports, cultural, fraternal, educational and governmental groups.

In all, 30 grants will be handed out to the 27 groups, ranging from Little League to the village and town to the library and the senior center.

The Athens Community Foundation was established nearly a decade ago as part of the agreement with the Town of Athens that enabled the Athens Generating plant to be constructed, and over the years has given out well over a million dollars.

This years grant award total of $138,040 is nearly $12,000 higher than last years awards, which totaled $126,460.

Local organizations each year submit applications for grant money, which this year totaled $234,200. The Advisory Board then sifts through the applications and makes decisions on how much money should be awarded to which organizations, whittling the award amounts down to the appropriate total.

According to a press release from the Athens Community Foundation, despite the nations continued economic woes, this years awards represent a steady commitment to the people of Athens, thanks, in part, to sustained growth of the funds through prudent investing of the funds principal by its three trustees and by the equally conscientious recommendations by the Foundations eleven member Advisory Board.

While Athens Generating has completed its part of the original deal that established the Foundation contributing funds each of several years to get the Foundation started with wise investing it is hoped the organization will be able to continue in perpetuity.

According to Foundation Trustee Gene Hatton, who is also Athens deputy town supervisor, with this grant set, the ninth annual round of grants by the Foundation, the number of grants over the life of the Foundation now totals 239, along with a total dollar figure disbursement of over $1,400,000.

Also helping keep the funding pool fiscally sound is a contribution from the Peckham Family Foundation, which for the fourth year in a row contributed its own grant to underwrite the Foundations expenses. While the trustees and Advisory Board are all volunteers, there are minimal expenses such as taxes, accountant fees and state regulatory fees.

Other corporate donors to the Foundation this year included Morgan Stanleys Charitable Spending Program and the Bank of Greene County.

Each year, grant money enables local not-for-profit groups and the two municipalities the town and village to complete projects and programs they might otherwise not be able to afford.

Past grants have been used to replace the deck on the Athens Recreation Associations swimming pool, purchase uniforms for Boy Scouts, make improvements to the Athens Community Center and purchase items for the senior center.

Virtually every Athens-based not-for-profit group has benefited from the grant awards in some way over the past nine years.

The Athens Community Foundations trustees include Hatton, Leo Palmateer and Athens Generating Plant Manager Dan DeVinney.

The Advisory Board consists of local residents Herby Blasewitz, Rob Butler, Ron Coons, Joe Iraci, Tim Martin, Martin Miller, Michael Ragaini, Herman Reinhold, Peggy Snyder, Patty Whiteman and Howard Zar.

Winter fuel drive hits 20,000 mark - Today's News - News - JournalLive

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Since launching on October 27, the Good Giving Challenge has well exceeded its goal of raising $100,000 for the nonprofit community before midnight on Dec. In addition, nonprofits are competing for over $22,000 in cash challenge grants provided by Blue Grass Community Foundation, local philanthropists and area businesses. With matching funds and grants, challenge organizers put the actual amount of money raised so far at approximately $165,000.

Challenge grants reward nonprofits with the most new donors, most donors under thirty-five years old, most contributions, and more.

There are still three more days to become part of the GoodGiving Challenge community or to make additional donations.

Montevallo receives $100k grant for eco park | Shelby County Reporter Montevallo receives $100k grant for eco park Published 12:53pm Thursday, December 29, 2011

By KATIE MCDOWELL/Lifestyles Editor

Its a gift that will continue to give for generations of Montevallo residents.

The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham recently awarded the University of Montevallo a $100,000 grant to create an eco park on its campus.

Dr.

Grant funding supports nonprofit organizations that work to improve the health of thousands of Missourians.

The local grants are part of a $1.8 million round of funding recently approved by MFH's Board of Directors.

MFH's Health Care Workforce Development funding program supports projects that increase the number of health care practitioners in underserved areas; encourage youth to consider health careers; and increase nursing schools' enrollment capacity. The northeast Missouri hospital is using funding to partner with area school districts and health professionals to create a health career club and mentoring program.

Established in 2000, MFH is the largest nongovernmental funder of community health activities in Missouri.

THE Sleaford based Lincolnshire Community Foundation has announced a new 500,000 pot of cash available for vulnerable people living in Lincolnshire.

The Responders to Warmth fund is aimed at combating fuel poverty and helping vulnerable people and those suffering with ill health to cope this winter. The scheme is funded by the Department of Health, managed by the Lincolnshire Community Foundation, sponsored by NHS Lincolnshire.

People living in their own homes and who suffer with chronic ill health can apply through the Foundations soon-to-be-launched website or via their GP, health visitor or voluntary group from mid January for a range of free or subsidised winter warmth services.

People receiving the service can expect anything from new slippers (the old ones often contribute to slips and falls) to home insulation and heating repair or improvements.

WEST AKRON When Mark and Sandy Auburn heard they had been selected to receive the H.

According to officials with the American Red Cross (ARC) of Summit and Portage Counties, which bestows the award each year, the award is given to a person or couple that best exemplifies Burgs leadership in the community, his compassion for people and dedication to the humanitarian mission of the ARC.

In October, a panel of past award recipients met and selected the Auburns, who have been active in the Akron area, where they grew up, since returning here in 1991.

Sandy Auburn was born and raised in West Akron and attended Portage Path Elementary School, West Junior High School and Old Trail School.

Since returning to Akron, Sandy Auburn was the founding executive director of the Summit Education Partnership Foundation, which became the Summit Education Initiative, from 1992 to 1996, and vice president of workforce development for the Greater Akron Chamber from 1997 to 2003.

Sandy Auburn said she and Mark had both lived away from the Akron area since the late 1960s, but they always considered the area home, and were happy to return 20 years ago.

Mark Auburn is a board member of the ARC of Summit and Portage Counties, the Greater Akron Musical Association, Western Reserve Public Media and Weathervane Playhouse, among others, while Sandy Auburn serves on boards including the Akron-Summit County Public Library, United Way of Summit County, Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Womens Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation.