By Rose S. Prinzi
It only happens once a year.
Applications for the Karl Peterson Fund/Lynn Foundation Fund are presently being accepted by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. The deadline to submit a request is January 31st.
The Karl Peterson Fund grants have always been unique, in that they were established to fund religious organizations as well as support the more traditional charitable institutions. In fact, for many years, the Karl Peterson Fund was the only grant 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 financial assistance for both religious and non-religious charitable organizations is now available.
Even though 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 $1,000 or under. All applications are reviewed by the Karl Peterson Fund and the Lynn Foundation Fund Grants Committees.
In 2009, the Community Foundation awarded over $25,000 to 42 local organizations through the Karl Peterson Fund/Lynn Foundation Fund grants process. A small sample of the recipients included: Bethel Lutheran Preschool, American Red Cross, YWCA of Jamestown, Zion Covenant Preschool, Christ First United Methodist Church, Our Lady of the Snows R.C. Church, Family Service of the Chautauqua Region, Community Helping Hands, Joint Neighborhood Project, Inc.; James Prendergast Library Association and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute.
The Kennedy First United Methodist Church is an example of a Karl Peterson Fund/Lynn Fund recipient. The church is used on a daily basis and serves as a site for a variety of community and church programs. Currently, the church functions as a senior luncheon site through the Meals on Wheels program. Additionally it provides a site for WIC/Moms; Released Time Ministries, weekly bible study for school age children; and TOPS Weight Loss Program. Also, the church has a Food Pantry and a used children’s clothing closet which is open to area residents, besides offering an emergency food and gas voucher program for people in need.
With the church being used so extensively, it is important that it provides a safe and clean environment to house these many community, as well as church programs. As a result, the trustees of the Kennedy First United Methodist Church submitted a Karl Peterson Fund/Lynn Foundation Grant Application to assist in addressing a drainage project which was to correct a problem they had in their basement area. After receiving the funds, the necessary work was completed.
Many organizations in the Chautauqua Region, religious and non-religious, have compelling needs. If your organization is in need, consider applying for a Karl Peterson Fund/Lynn Foundation Fund grant. Applications can be downloaded at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation’s website at www.crcfonline.org.
What a great way for your organization to kick-start 2010!
For more information on grant applications, please contact the Community Foundation staff at 661-3390.