The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation announces the recipients of the 12th annual granting cycle. This year, $36,250 is being awarded to 18 nonprofits in the community. Of the total amount, $5,000 is restricted to youth projects. The Foundation received requests for grants totaling $73,146.
“We have the privilege of seeing the heart and soul of our nonprofits through the review of their grant applications. We read their goals to meet the most basic needs of our citizens from food, to clothing, to just keeping on the lights and heat. And then, we read applications that represent inspirational goals to improve the quality of life we all treasure. It reaffirms to all of us the importance of the work of the Foundation through its granting program”, said Gregg Motley, chairperson of the granting committee.
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The FSACF Application Process
Applicants were required to provide proof of their 501(c)(3) status in order to be considered. Additionally, applicants responded to questions regarding their programming and how it responds to specific needs of the community. They also provided a plan for the sustainability of the project, groups with whom they collaborate, and a budget.
2020 Grant Recipients
The 18 nonprofits receiving grants include the USD 234 third-grade music program, City of Ft. Scott Fire Department safety trailer refurbishing, Beacon, KSU Extension Aging with Attitude expo, Ft. Scott/Bourbon County Riverfront Authority walking trail enhancements, CASA volunteer training during pandemic, Lowell Milken Center Ft. Scott Front Line Heroes, Special Olympics Kansas meals for athletes, Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition rent/utilities assistance, and the Fort Scott Community College Martin Luther King celebration.
Other agencies receiving grants are Care to Share transportation vouchers, Gordon Parks Museum Learning Tree Film Trail, City of Ft. Scott/Kiwanis friendship swing at the park, Faith Christian Center school supplies for all Ft. Scott students, Pioneer Harvest Fiesta fairgrounds seating, First United Methodist Church Feeding Families In His Name, USD 234 first-grade virtual community experience, and Compassionate Ministries ID and winter warming project.
How FSACF Grants Are Funded
The funds for these grants are derived from interest earned each year from the Foundation’s unrestricted endowment. Currently, this endowment stands at $650,677.
“It is through the generosity of our community that the unrestricted endowment has grown significantly to where we are today,” said Carla Farmer, FSACF chair. “The principal from this endowment is never touched, allowing the interest to be used in its entirety for grants to our hardworking nonprofits.”
The Good Works Forever Campaign, which begins in November, is the primary way in which citizens can contribute to the unrestricted endowed fund.