By Rose S. Prinzi
It only happens once a year. The Karl Peterson Fund/Lynn Foundation Fund applications are now available. January 31st is the deadline for funding requests through this process.
The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation grants are well known among most non-profit organizations in our area. Local non-profits know that every year at this time, an important deadline—January 31st—is just around the corner for the Karl Peterson Fund grant application.
The Karl Peterson Fund grants have always been unique, since they were established to fund religious organizations, as well as the more traditional grant making of educational, charitable, and scientific projects. In fact, for many years, they were the only grants available to serve the needs of religious organizations in our area. However, with the establishment of the Lynn Foundation Fund in 2008, a charitable fund within the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, a larger pool of funding for both religious and non-religious charitable activities is available.
Although the Lynn Foundation Fund has been added to the Karl Peterson Fund grant process, eligibility for a grant remains the same. Applicants should be aware that 1) funding is limited to the Chautauqua region; 2) the grants committee is most interested in unique projects or projects not funded by other area foundations; 3) grants are at a level of $1000 or under. All applications are reviewed by the Karl Peterson Fund and the Lynn Foundation Fund grant committees.
In 2008, the Community Foundation awarded over $25,000 to local organizations through Karl Peterson Fund/Lynn Foundation Fund grants. Local recipients included the Bethel Baptist Christian Academy, Zion Covenant Church, American Red Cross, YWCA of Jamestown, Blockville United Methodist Church, Wiltsie Community Church, Centaur Stride, Vietnam Veterans of America, Hillcrest Baptist Church Youth Ministry, SS Peter & Paul R.C. Church, Ellington Community Food Pantry and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. This partial listing provides just a small sample of award recipients—and the list is bound to grow.
An example of the type of organization receiving funds is Community Helping Hands. This organization is a faith based non-profit organization that exists to meet the needs of people in our community, while empowering them to help themselves and others. They also process referrals from several community agencies for clothing and furniture for those in need.
Community Helping Hands requested a grant from the Karl Peterson Fund/Lynn Foundation Fund committee for a unique sewing-quilt program. Money was needed for sewing machine repairs and materials. Young women involved in this project are taught the skill of sewing and, at the same time, they are giving back to the community. The first quilt they make is for them, any other quilts they make are sold in the Community Helping Hands Thrift Store.
Many organizations in the Chautauqua region, religious and non-religious, have compelling needs. If yours is one of those organizations, consider applying for a Karl Peterson Fund /Lynn Foundation Fund grant. Applications can be downloaded at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation’s website (www.crcfonline.org).
For more information on grant applications, please contact the Community Foundation staff at 661-3390.
A great way for your organization to kick-start 2009!