Grant Applications Due by June 30th
Alexandria, Minn. – The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) announced today that their “Difference Maker” grant round is now accepting applications for programs that serve people in the Douglas County region. The AACF seeks to make significant grants that will be the “Difference Maker” in bringing about lasting, positive change in the Alexandria area community. Grant application deadline is June 30th.
Eligible organizations are 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, schools or governmental entities and it must serve the residents of Douglas County. For more information about the grant round, visit www.communitygiving.org/grants. The AACF has awarded over $233,000 in Difference Maker grants in the last five years.
In 2016 the AACF awarded 3 grants totaling $30,000. The descriptions of last year’s projects are below:
#1. City of Alexandria-Fire Department $9,000
This grant is for training for a Hostile Event Response to be held in October. The purpose of this course is to teach a new integrated practice to Law, Fire, and EMS in a hostile event situation where there are viable victims in order to reduce morbidity and mortality. The 3 ECHO response model is an integrated practice for the agencies to move beyond the separation of law enforcement and fire/rescue/medical personnel during an active shooter, post blast response, and other hostile events. This training will allow responders to train others to help protect our community for years to come.
#2. Alexandria Opportunities Center $11,000
This grant will help them replace the roof on their facility. Currently their roof leaks when it rains and leaks when the snow melts. They need to place buckets throughout the building to catch the leaking water each season. Being a non-profit organization, finding extra resources to complete large projects is very difficult.
#3. Someplace Safe $10,000
Someplace Safe will use this grant for emergency financial assistance for clients who are victims of crime and their families. This includes items such as: hotel emergency safe housing, transportation, food, child care, vehicle repairs, vehicle insurance, housing, rental deposits, and VISA gift cards for the purchase of personal care items, diapers, medicine, etc. Many times victims of crime do not qualify for any other financial assistance.
Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) in affiliation with CommunityGiving, is a public charity that attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local community. Since 1992, AACF has grown to over $2.4 million in assets and awarded over $657,000 in grants to local nonprofits. CommunityGiving is a collaboration of community foundations united under a single framework to create efficiencies that maximize the impact of our donors. The core foundations working with CommunityGiving include the Alexandria Area Community Foundation, the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, the Central Minnesota Community Foundation and the Willmar Area Community Foundation. Collectively, CommunityGiving administers more than 650 funds totaling more than $123 million. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org/Alexandria.