Contact: Susan Lorenz, CMCF Director of Programs Phone: 877-253-4380 ext 732
WACF 2011 Grant Investment to Surpass $100,000
Foundation Plans to Award Additional $55,000
Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) announces plans to invest an additional $55,000 this year in community programs that help meet key needs in Kandiyohi County. Applications for two separate grant opportunities are due Aug. 15.
Following these upcoming grant rounds, the Foundation will have invested more than $100,000 into the community this year. This spring, WACF awarded nearly $45,000 to eight community organizations, including a $12,000 grant to the United Way for the Growmobile Program. The Foundation’s Women’s Fund has also been accepting requests from organizations that address an issue confronting teenage girls in Kandiyohi County or underserved women over the age of 55 and expects to provide $4,300 in grants by this fall.
The Foundation plans to award $50,000 through its General Grant Program to projects, programs or capital-related proposals that address youth, elderly and diversity. The Foundation has invested in a variety of programs in recent years, including Safe Avenues for Willmar, West Central Industries, New London Little Theatre, Atwater City Fire Department and Willmar Community Senior Network. Applicants must specify how the grant will help the organization serve its constituents better and more cost effectively.
The Foundation will award an additional $5,000 through its Fund for the Arts to support arts activities conducted by small and medium-sized arts organizations or other community organizations. The primary geographic focus is the City of Willmar.
Art grant applications should address the artistic quality and merit of the art projects or programs, demonstrate community demand or need and specify how the art program or project benefits the Willmar area.
Organizations applying for a grant must be nonprofit, charitable organizations designated 501(c)3 by the Internal Revenue Service. The grant guidelines and electronic applications for the general and art grants can be found by visiting www.CommunityGiving.org/Willmar and clicking on the “WACF Grants” link. Applications must be submitted online by midnight on Aug. 15. Nonprofits with specific questions should contact Susan Lorenz at slorenz@communitygiving.org.
The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) is a public charity that attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local community. Since 1998, WACF has grown to nearly $7 million in assets and awarded $2 million in grants to local nonprofits. WACF is affiliated with the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, which administers more than 500 funds totaling more than $65 million. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org/Willmar.
