Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Calaveras Community Foundation (CCF) Awards Grants for 2014





The Calaveras Community Foundation (CCF) has just awarded eleven grants for 2014. The combined amount of these grants equals $53,612, and was given in the areas of County Youth K-12, Aging in Place for Seniors, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). These topics represent the initiatives CCF has identified as being instrumental in helping our community.

The five members of the Foundation’s Grant Committee received 15 grant applications. A great deal of interest was generated by our 2014 initiatives, resulting in an excellent group of submitted applications for funding.


Three grants were awarded that concentrated on assisting our aging senior population. Central Calaveras Fire’s project, “Senior Residential Safety Inspection”, deals with inspections/ recommendations and assistance in repairing hazards; Common Ground Senior Services, Inc.’s “Home Delivered Meals” provides nutritious food for those who need extra assistance; and Habitat for Humanity’s “Senior Home Repairs” will help seniors make their homes more comfortable through assistance with minor repairs.  CCF has provided significant financial support for projects benefiting seniors in our community. These grants expand the tradition of helping seniors remain in their homes and age with health, safety and dignity.

Three grants relating to the STEM initiative were awarded. Christian Family Learning Center’s “Robotics” features problem and project-based lessons utilizing Remotely Operated Vehicles; Gardens to Grow In “Elementary Enrichment Program” teaches children the science behind food and energy production; and Toyon Middle School – “Robotics Elective Program” utilizes robotics solutions based on real-life robotic technology.  Each of these projects are varied, exciting, and give our county youth a taste of what is possible with studies concentrating on science, technology, engineering and math.

CCF awarded five grants relating to the County Youth K-12 initiative. This initiative is designed to foster youth development in extra-curricular activities for ages K-12. Those applications chosen were: Arts Committee of North East Calaveras County’s “Art Promotion for Youth”. This offers art scholarships and arts day support for West Point and Rail Road Flat Schools; Blue Mountain Coalition of Youth & Families “Facing the Bully” provides workshop experience in dealing with the problem of bullying; Calaveras County Office of Education “Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program” funds costs associated with screening mentors; Mountain Ranch Youth Alliance “Building Bridges Youth Garden” introduces children to the principles of organic gardening, cooking and nutrition; and Studio 4 Dance Theater “Spring Show & Nutcracker 2014” funds costumes and props for this production.

Funds for 2014’s grant giving originated from the Foundation’s Heritage Fund as well as The San Francisco Foundation, in memory of Lloyd Federlein, Ratterman/Norfolk County Youth Fund and the Holleman Family Fund.  CCF is so grateful to these contributors, as well as all our other donors, for their generosity. These additional donated funds allow CCF to fund even more worthwhile projects. Since its inception in 2000, CCF has provided over $800,000 in competitive grants, scholarships and assistance.

To learn more about Calaveras Community Foundation, to set up a donor advised fund or to make a donation, call (209) 736-1845 or visit www.calaverascommunityfoundation.org