Have Tools, Will Travel – Ithaca Times : News

For new homeowners and novice builders, even the smallest of improvement projects can seem next to impossible without the proper tools or the funds to invest in them.

Enter an ambitious project by a group of young craftsmen and women who aim to bring a rolling, lending tool library to Tompkins County and, in the process, build lasting ties with local builders around the shared interest of making.

Expanding on previous volunteer building projects at Ithacaas Significant Elements and 4H Acres, they plan to build a mobile tool library a think a hybrid tiny home and tool shed, on wheels a pulled around the local community and making pit-stops to serve neighborhood restorations and non-profits or to lead workshops.

An alternative to renting tools from local retail stores, community-led tool libraries are far from a new concept.

During the ideaas conception, Building Community member Isabela Magnoni-Crowley had looked to Buffaloas tool libraries as a possible model. One major impediment from the start was a permanent space, an impossibility for a tool library in its infancy.

Made of salvaged materials, the traveling toolshed will resemble a tiny home a compact, approximately 150 square-feet mobile residences a with an internal galley of custom-made cabinets for tool storage, Building Community member Cameron Neuhoff said.

Salomon added that, as a shop manager, he occasionally fields emails from local builders who request to use the campus space or borrow tools. a[The mobile tool library] is something I can point them to instead of saying no.a

As for the other half of costs not covered by the $5,000 grant, Building Community members are exploring any number of options: a daily fee to rent the entire mobile library, memberships, workshops, other events, and good old-fashioned donations. In fact, the group is about to launch its first major tool drive to begin collecting what will become its lending library.

Building Community members are seeking partnerships with local builders and community stakeholders around Tompkins County, and donations of any working hand- and power-tools are greatly appreciated.

Daily Courier-Observer | Northern New York Community Foundation awarding tree grants Northern New York Community Foundation awarding tree grants

WATERTOWN The Northern New York Community Foundation is distributing up to $3,000 in funding for nonprofit or governmental organizations that would be used for tree planting in the city of Watertown.

The grants are being made possible through the estate of Carolyn Whitney and a gift from former Watertown Mayor T.

Thousands of readers like you have made Northern New York Newspapers the number one ranked website* for local news and sports coverage in the north country.

Last year’s recipients included Adopt a Golden, Equines Assisting Special Individuals, Hand in Paw, and MomaKat Rescue.

California

The Partnership for HOPE SF, the funding arm of HOPE SF, which is housed at the San Francisco Foundation, has announced a request for proposals for an innovative program aimed at increasing and sustaining economic mobility and financial self-sufficiency among young adults living in public housing developments in San Francisco. In 2010, the City of San Francisco joined with SFF, Enterprise Community Partners, leading foundations, and donors across the nation to transform the lives of people living in public housing in the city. Working in four of San Francisco’s most isolated and distressed public housing sites Hunters View, Alice Griffith, Potrero Hill, and Sunnydale HOPE SF aims to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty, reduce social isolation, and create a bright future for thousands of families.

Connecticut

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving“>Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has announced a three-year, $160,860 to the John J. Modeled after a similar program implemented in New Jersey, the agency’s Immigration Advocacy and Assistance program combines legal, employment, and supportive services to simplify the immigration and employment process for immigrants in the greater Hartford region.

Indiana

The Indianapolis Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, has announced the creation of two $100,000 funds in celebration of its hundredth anniversary. Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham Press Release 03/15/2016. San Francisco Foundation Press Release 03/16/2016. Hartford Foundation for Public Giving“>Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Press Release 03/15/2016. Central Indiana Community Foundation Press Release 03/14/2016. Cape Cod Foundation Press Release 03/15/2016. Dayton Foundation Press Release 03/14/2016. Seattle Foundation Press Release 03/16/2016.

a Prosser High School students will get a taste of scientific research next year thanks to a $5,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust in Vancouver and $2,000 in matching funds from the school district.

Biology teacher Aaron Sonnichsen and his students will use the money to raise a species of roundworm and study its genetics.

School and district officials lauded the news, noting science- and technology-related fields have increasingly become part of the economic future of the region and state.

For Sonnichsen, who taught a few lessons with students this past fall with the roundworms, itas a new tool to make scientific discovery real and tangible.

aThey just loved it, you can take these worms and see how they change,a Sonnichsen said.

Sonnichsen, who also is a Prosser High graduate, has worked with the Murdock Trust and its Partners in Science program since 2013. The organization works to get science teachers who havenat had much research experience out into the field.

He worked with a researcher based at Washington State Universityas Prosser research station during the summer of 2014 on a study looking at how rerouting Highway 12 could affect bee populations and alfalfa operations. He conducted some genetic research with a doctorate student this past summer.

This latest grant, one of 12 awarded throughout the Pacific Northwest, is intended to help teachers whoave previously done research with the trustas help bring that work back into the classroom.

Itas hard to raise and work with bees in a classroom, Sonnichsen said, but he still wanted to do something on genetic expression.

Getting a number of the roundworms isnat all Sonnichsen and his students will need, though. Machines needed to look at genetic sequences will also be purchased.

While the roundworms could have a role in Sonnichsenas general biology class lessons, theyare more likely to be a big part of his Advanced Placement biology class, he said.

Principal Kevin Lusk said the school has made an effort to increase AP course offerings in recent years, noting that AP English will be available next year and there are plans to eventually offer AP chemistry.

aWeare encouraging kids to challenge themselves,a Lusk said.

Thatas easier said than done. More than 30 students took AP biology at Prosser High when it was first offered during the 2014-15 academic year, but less than half that number are taking the course this year, Sonnichsen said.

Offering a unique research experience may help change that.

aHopefully weall see more of a spike next year,a Sonnichsen said.

Habitat for Humanity’s Prairie Garden fashion show, April 24 at the Delta Winnipeg, showcases local designers.

Hope Couture, which supports Ronald McDonald House is April 6 at the convention centre.

Philanthropic fashion season is a time when generous ‘Peg-city fashionistas open up their hearts and handbags in support of charitable organizations hosting everything from fashion shows to accessory auctions.

Also on the philanthropic fashion calendar this spring is Habitat for Humanity’s Prairie Garden fashion show.

“Each year, the garden party fashion show committee puts together a wonderful afternoon fashion show, raising a significant portion of the $150,000 needed to build a safe, affordable home for a low-income family to purchase,” says Joanne Machado, chairwoman of Habitat for Humanity’s build fundraising committee.

Habitat for Humanity’s Prairie Garden fashion show will hit the runway on April 24 at the Delta Winnipeg.

Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital recently received $795,000 from UniHealth Foundation, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit, to help fund the hospital’s new Integrated Supportive Care initiative, a program that is designed to enhance the way the hospital cares for chronically and seriously ill patients, both inside and outside the hospital, according to Dignity Health officials.

It’s the largest grant the hospital has ever received from a foundation.

Ultimately, the goal is to reduce repeat hospitalizations and increase patients’ overall quality of life, said Jack Ivie, the hospital’s president.

“We look forward to collaborating with a number of different community-based providers that offer a 24/7, in-home nursing response and pharmacies that can deliver medication 24/7 supporting medication compliance, which will reduce one of the most common reasons for rapid readmission to the hospital,” he added.

Our Gulf Coast family lost a special person last week.

I often use this column space to share news of important initiatives that Gulf Coast Community Foundation is funding, together with our donors, to transform our region and head off emerging issues. But our work at Gulf Coast is about legacy as much as impact; a sign of respect toward the individual donor’s “family at large,” as well as a summation of her own life’s work and passions.

The donor we just lost is one of hundreds of community members who have created a fund or foundation within Gulf Coast.

Mark Pritchett is president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

Learn about the resources available to family foundations, community foundations and the organizations that benefit from them the most. P.A.), Mark Pritchett (Gulf Coast Community Foundation), Teri Hansen (Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation) and Alexandra Quarles (Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation) will share their own perspectives on philanthropy and how our community can help to improve so many peoples lives.

Elementary school receives STEM grant – Brunswick News: Community Life

Satilla Marsh Elementary School was recently awarded an Exxon Mobil STEM grant from Lewis and Raulerson Oil Company.

The Hennepin County Board has approved nearly $250,000 in grants to help local cities and schools improve playgrounds and purchase equipment for sports fields and facilities.

The grant money is part of the county’s Youth Sports Program, using proceeds from the county’s ballpark sales tax (which pays for Target Field) to fund the local projects.

City of Dayton, city of Long Lake, city of Robbinsdale, Village of Minnetonka Beach, Intermediate School District 287: $25,000 each for playground improvements.

Minneapolis Public Schools: $61,283 for 13 projects at schools and parks, including $10,000 to refinish the gym floor at Martin Luther King Park, $8,500 for a wrestling mat at North Commons Recreation Center and $7,699 for a discus cage at Patrick Henry High School.

Richfield Public Schools: $10,000 for youth soccer goals.

Hennepin County Board awards latest round of youth sports grants The Hennepin County Board has approved nearly $250,000 in grants to help local cities and schools improve playgrounds and purchase equipment for sports fields and

Grammy Foundation applauds two O.C.