May 3, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: T. DUANE GORDON 513-424-7369 (mobile 513-593-4860)

From tombstone repair and indigent cancer patient care to a free symphony concert and sponsorship of the local community theatre’s upcoming season, the Middletown Community Foundation recently announced nearly $100,000 in grants for the spring 2011 quarter.

“As occurs every quarter, we had significantly greater community need than we had funds available to assist,” explained Middletown Community Foundation Executive Director T. Duane Gordon. “Out of $155,000 in requests, our Board of Trustees was able to fund $95,500 in grants, or less than two-thirds of what was sought by our applicants.”

He said while the Community Foundation’s grantmaking endowments have recovered from investment losses suffered in the 2008-2009 recession, the general economy has continued to lag, placing greater strains on philanthropic resources in all communities as nonprofits see fewer dollars from other donors and rely more heavily on foundation support.

Grants approved this quarter are:

· 3-R Development $5,000 for community assistance programs including youth cultural development, homeless substance abuse treatment, adult employment training and parental motivation initiatives and $2,500 toward picnic expenses for a citywide 2011 Youth Conference.

· Atrium Medical Center Foundation $10,000 to support indigent cancer care as part of the Imagine a Cure Campaign.

· Berachah Baptist Church $1,000 for the annual community Father’s Day Party in the Park.

· Girl Scouts of Western Ohio $1,000 for Nova Service Unit Summer Day Camp.

· Lifespan $13,000 to cover a HUD funding shortfall in its program to assist Middletown-area homeowners in foreclosure.

· Madison Local Schools $1,000 for improvements to the junior high/high school drama department.

· Miami University Middletown $1,000 for the Circle K Club to prepare a garden at Center of Hope shelter.

· Middletown Civic Chorus $700 for its annual concert in December.

· City of Middletown $9,308 to repair tombstones in Pioneer Cemetery.

· Middletown Symphony Orchestra $7,000 for its free annual Labor Day Concert at Woodside Cemetery.

· Middletown Arts Center $5,000 for Youth Art Class scholarships.

· Middletown Lyric Theatre $9,000 as lead sponsor of the community theatre’s 2011-2012 season and $5,000 toward facility improvements.

· Ohio Challenge $15,000 to sponsor the 2011 hot air balloon event.

· PARACHUTE Butler County $1,400 for training one court-appointed special advocate volunteer.

· Pigskin Roundball $1,200 to purchase two tables for Middletown High School student athletes to attend at no charge.

· We Can Business Incubator $7,000 for stage and electrical improvements to Governor’s Square Park.

The Community Foundation’s next grant application deadline is June 1 for requests in the fields of human needs and education, followed by a September 1 deadline for capital needs (building construction and equipment purchases), the arts, recreation, community development and festivals.

Nonprofit organizations, churches (for non-religious programs), governmental bodies and schools in Middletown, Monroe, Trenton, Franklin, Madison Township or Lemon Township may apply. Applications are not considered for grants for individuals, general operating support, non 501(c)(3) organizations, national organizations, religious purposes, political groups, endowments or medical organizations. Complete guidelines and application materials are available at mcfoundation.org.

The Middletown Community Foundation works to improve the lives of those in the greater Middletown area by serving as a permanent source of funding for projects to benefit the community. Founded in 1976 as part of the Middletown United Way, the Community Foundation became an independent organization in 1986. In the past 25 years, it has distributed more than $10 million in scholarships and more than $19 million in grants to benefit the greater Middletown area. For more information, call 513-424-7369.