The Iosco County Community Foundation (ICCF) recently awarded seven new grants totaling $11,239 to area nonprofits for programs and projects that benefit Iosco County through its Community Improvement Grant program.
The ICCF Board of Directors recently identified education as a main area of funding interest. As a result, a total of $5,500 was awarded to Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools to support a new STEM classroom, and to bring the K-12 music program back to the school system after an 8-year hiatus.
“Through several different funds at ICCF, we’re able to put funding toward some great projects that affect our communities. We had some really tough decisions to make on applications this year,” said ICCF Board President Tony Johnson. “These grants reflect education as one of our priorities, but also the importance of helping people connect with necessary human services outlets; a program that brings greater appreciation for our precious natural resources; and a program that helps young families get a solid start.”
New grants approved on May 23 by the ICCF Board of Directors include:
- $3,000 to Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools for the STEM classroom;
- $2,542 to Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools for the K-12 Music Program;
- $1,426 to Develop Iosco to support the Human Services Coordinating Council quarterly newsletter;
- $1,173 to Oscoda Area First Responders for the replacement of volunteer pagers;
- $1,098 to Harbor Lights Pregnancy and Information Center to support the purchase of DVDs and information material on financial management and child care topics;
- $1,000 to Iosco Conservation District to purchase items for the Ingalls Forest Workspace Enhancement for Conservation and Nature program (IF WE CAN);
- $1,000 to the Iosco County Agricultural Society to purchase new livestock lock gates.
The next deadline for grant opportunities through ICCF is with the Youth Advisory Council grant. Applications are due February 1, 2019. The Iosco County YAC is particularly interested in funding projects and programs that address stress and mental health issues for their fellow youth and families. Nonprofits, schools, churches (for non-religious purposes) and government agencies interested in applying for a Youth Advisory Council grant can access the application form and criteria at www.iccf-online.org. Those with questions or needing assistance with the application process can contact the ICCF office at 877-354-6881.
The Iosco County Community Foundation is a charitable organization that serves as a catalyst and resource to inspire private giving for the betterment of Iosco County. Led by a volunteer board of local citizens, the foundation oversees a group of permanent endowment funds from a wide range of donors. Gifts of all sizes from individuals, families and businesses are invested in a balanced, well-managed portfolio to build endowments, enabling support for local community nonprofits now and forever. To make a donation or learn more about how community foundations work, visit www.iccf-online.org.
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