Citing the greatest need for emergency services seen in its 36-year history, The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region announced today that its Neighbors in Need Fund is awarding $714,300 in new grants to safety net organizations that serve vulnerable residents throughout the metropolitan Washington region.

The Community Foundation is the largest funder of nonprofit organizations in the Washington region.

The grants, awarded on a competitive basis, will help 37 charities including food banks, homeless shelters, and clothing, meal, and foreclosure-prevention programs meet the Washington, DC region`s escalating demand for basic human services.

The Chicago Community Trust announced it surpassed a $1-million target to provide funds for shelters and pantries that have been overwhelmed by soaring demand.

In an initiative launched late last year, the community foundation raised $1.3 million for its Unity Challenge fund for local charities.

In addition, it contributed $2 to the fund for every $1 in donations, bringing the total fund to almost $4 million. A $500,000 donation from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation helped the Trust exceed its initial goal to raise $1 million for the fund.

By the end of the year, Greensboro's homeless residents will have a place to spend their daytime hours, advocates will announce today.

An East Washington Street warehouse and office building near the former home of the Southern Plate and Window Glass Co. has been donated to the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro to be used as a new service center for the area's homeless.

Organizers hope to use $55,000 in city and nonprofit funds to continue to run a temporary day center until summer, while the permanent building is renovated. City staff will ask the City Council to designate $30,000 for that purpose tonight.

The holidays will be a little merrier for many needy and homeless Rhode Islanders thanks to $500,000 in one-time emergency grants announced today by the Rhode Island Foundation.

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