The Greene County Foundation concluded the September grant cycle and is happy to announce that $105,716 was granted to eight organizations:
- Shawnee Theatre
- Linton Civitan
- Linton-Chamber of Commerce
- White River Valley School District
- MSD of Shakamak
- Linton Farmers Market
- Bloomfield NJROTC
- Purdue Extension
This grant cycle was focused on COVID-19 recovery efforts. The Foundation accepted grant requests from September 1 – 15 and received 18 separate requests totaling $249K. The grants committee carefully reviewed each proposal. With limited funding available, it was a difficult process to determine the most impactful grants to benefit the entire county.
Sherri Knieriem, the Foundation’s executive director, said, “The pandemic has been difficult for everyone, and we’re humbled to be able to assist these great organizations with all they’re doing to help with recovery.”
In what would have been their 61st season, Shawnee Theatre was forced to cancel it when the pandemic hit. The Foundation granted them $35,000 for general operating expenses to help cover their lost revenue. While some consider Shawnee Theatre “the gem of Greene County”, it is undoubtedly the only art performance venue in the entire county and serves to foster creative expression in residents of all ages.
The Linton Civitan was granted $30,000. With their grant, they will help around 400-450 needy children in Greene County this Christmas through their clothe-a-child program. This program is typically supported through fundraising efforts which were not possible due to the pandemic.
Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce was granted $19,566 for general operating expenses. They experienced substantial losses in revenue after the Linton Freedom Festival events were canceled.
The Foundation was able to help three school districts in the county this cycle. White River Valley School District was granted $10,000 for school consumables and Ready Schools equipment for students throughout the district. At the same time, the MSD of Shakamak was awarded two grants totaling $9,150. Their first grant is for three water bottle filling stations, which will help students avoid transmission of illness through traditional water fountains. The second grant will allow the school to purchase new microscopes with tablets attached, allowing students more distance from the microscope and eliminating the risk of spreading illness. Students are currently unable to perform such labs under social-distancing guidelines. In addition, Bloomfield NJROTC received a grant totaling $2,400 for their competitions. Typically, the NJROTC would hold multiple fundraisers to pay for the students’ travel expenses.
Linton Farmers Market was granted $2,600 to help with unexpected market costs and loss of advertising revenue. The market remained open all season long, providing fresh produce and goods to patrons. The open-air market was more conducive to a healthy shopping experience and offered local produce, which is a win-win for the shoppers and the vendors.
The Foundation granted Purdue Extension $2,000 for painted playspace stencils to eliminate the barrier of installing outdoor painted playspaces while increasing outdoor play. The stencils will be stored at the Greene County Purdue Extension office with free rental to any agencies throughout Greene County that serve children or are looking to enhance their outdoor space.
The COVID-19 relief funding is made possible through a generous grant by United Way of Monroe County, Indiana United Ways, and Lilly Endowment Inc. The Foundation also granted Community Support Funds to assist with recovery efforts.
For more information, visit their website at greenecountyfoundation.org. If you’d like to support these grant funds, you can give through PayPal on their site. Please reach out to Sherri Knieriem, executive director, if you have any questions or ideas at sherri@greenecountyfoundation.org.
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