City of Marion Partners with CoFo To Award $400K in Grants to Non Profits
City of marion partners with community foundation to award
$400,000 in grants to fifteen nonprofit organizations serving marion
The Community Foundation of Grant County, in partnership with the City of Marion, is excited to announce the award of $400,000 in grants to fifteen nonprofit organizations that are making a significant impact in the city. Through the 212° Grant Cycle, these organizations will receive essential funding for programs and projects that drive positive change across the City of Marion.
The grant cycle's name is inspired by the metaphor that at 211 degrees, water is hot, but at 212 degrees, it boils—creating steam powerful enough to move a train—this grant cycle reflects the transformative impact of small but powerful efforts. The nonprofits selected are making that extra degree of difference, driving progress that propels our community forward.
The City of Marion formally celebrated the grant recipients during the Community Spotlight segment of the City Council meeting on Wednesday, November 6th. This celebration was an opportunity for the city to honor the remarkable work of local nonprofits and the impact they continue to make across Marion.
Dawn Brown, President and CEO of the Community Foundation, shared her enthusiasm for the impact of the 212° grant cycle and what it signifies for the City of Marion, “Through the 212° grant cycle, we’re proud to support Marion's nonprofits as they provide the extra degree of effort that makes transformative changes in our community. This $400,000 initiative, championed by Mayor Ronald Morrell, Jr. and the City Council, is a powerful reminder that even small adjustments can lead to impactful outcomes. We’re honored to celebrate the commitment and innovative work of these organizations as we foster a stronger, more resilient city together."
Below is a summary of how each organization plans to use the awarded funding:
Boys & Girls Club of Grant County was awarded a grant to provide educational after-school programming that will reinforce academic skills and build self-confidence in at-risk youth. The Boys and Girls Club of Grant County said, “The Grant County Boys and Girls Club is honored to be partnering with the Community Foundation of Grant County and the City of Marion as we forge Great Futures for youth in our community. This collaboration is essential in building the foundation for our next generation of community leaders.”
Cancer Services of Grant County was awarded a grant to provide support services and durable medical equipment to cancer patients, with a focus on the BESS program. Cancer Services said, “This grant will be used for our Cancer Assistance Program and The BESS Program. It will be used to help those facing cancer in our community and to help pay for mammograms for those in need in our community.”
Cardinal Greenway, Inc. was awarded a grant to maintain and repair the Cardinal Greenway Trail and associated buildings to ensure safe usage for the community. Cardinal Greenway said, “We are beyond grateful for the amazing award! These funds will go a long way to secure our beloved "Depot" building in Marion and provide us a much needed mower plus funds to work on our trail! The work our passionate small team of volunteers do to keep our northern section ridable and ready to enjoy for the many trail users is top notch. This award not only means so much to me as CEO but to our Board of Directors and this team of volunteers. They are so excited and ready to work to start meeting the goals of our grant.”
Carey Services was awarded a grant to establish a business offering practical job skills for individuals with disabilities, students, and adult learners, while addressing food insecurity and workforce development. Carey Services said, “Carey Services is excited to keep turning abilities into opportunities in partnership with the City of Marion and the Community Foundation of Grant County with the 212 Degree grant opportunity. With that mission and partnership, Carey Services is planning for even more job and career opportunities for people with disabilities and through partnerships with organizations in our community that support students and adult learners, with this impact creating an even more integrated learning environment within Marion, IN.”
First Light Child Advocacy Center was awarded a grant to update security systems to ensure the safety of children and families at the Child Advocacy Center. First Light Child Advocacy Center said, “The 212 Grant Cycle funds will be used to replace and add additional security systems outside and inside our building. Confidentiality and safety are very important in not only our building, but also in the forensic interviews of the children. First Light has been serving children and families in Marion since 2004, with our mission to provide intervention and investigation in alleged child abuse cases, security is very important to the children and families of Grant County. We are very blessed and thankful to have been awarded these funds, and wish to thank the City of Marion and the Community Foundation for making this possible for not only our additional funding opportunity, but all the non-profits serving our growing community.”
Grant County Rescue Mission was awarded a grant to provide housing, and shelter services through New Light, and Open Heart. Grant County Rescue Mission said, “This grant will be of great assistance to both the New Light Men's Shelter and Open Heart Women's Shelter, as both offer group and transitional housing opportunities. Our capacity will be expanded through new beds and bedding. We will also be able to handle more intakes through additional clothing sanitizing equipment. The Grant County Rescue Mission will continue restoring people to society through developing good citizenship and reconciling them to their community, families, and God.”
Grant Regional Adult Education was awarded a grant to offer free career certification programs to unemployed or underemployed adults, equipping them with the skills needed to secure jobs that align with the needs of local employers, and succeed in the local workforce. Grant Regional Adult Education said, “Grant Regional Adult Education will utilize the 212 grant funds to expand our free career certification offerings for adults. We are grateful for these grant funds, and we are excited about the impact it will have within our community. This is a tremendous opportunity to provide individuals with a personal competitive advantage that increases employment opportunities, which benefit our students and their families, our local workforce, and ultimately the city of Marion.”
Historic Marion, Inc. was awarded a grant to beautify downtown Marion through the installation of benches, trees, murals, arches, and other elements to enhance community engagement. Historic Marion said, “This initiative aims to enhance our community's charm and create inviting spaces for everyone to enjoy. This investment will improve our downtown's aesthetic and functional aspects and stimulate economic growth and job creation. For our city, it represents a commitment to fostering a vibrant community that values development and inclusivity, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for residents and encouraging new opportunities for all.”
JobSource, Inc. was awarded a grant to support single parent households in achieving self-sufficiency through postsecondary education. JobSource said, “Marion Scholar House offers a permanent solution to eliminate generational poverty for single parent families in Grant County. We are on a mission to help single parents achieve financial stability through higher education by providing wraparound services and affordable housing; supporting single parents to break down any and all barriers that they may experience when returning to school. What at one time seemed impossible is now attainable, setting families on a new trajectory.”
Meals on Wheels, Marion Area, Inc. was awarded a grant to expand and reorganize the Meals on Wheels program to address food insecurity and improve service delivery. Meals on Wheels said, “Meals on Wheels staff, volunteers and board of directors is thrilled to receive the 212 Grant. Serving Grant County individuals facing food insecurity is our passion. This grant will enable us to do what we do even better! Working through the development of a strategic plan and capacity building side by side will give this organization the means to reach our goals in a timely manner and to stay on task as we do. The outcome will be more families and individuals facing food insecurity served in our community by our staff and volunteers. Meals on Wheels will have a stronger impact on the food insecurity of our community.”
Radiant Health was awarded a grant to support community engagement activities and skill-building opportunities to help individuals improve social interaction and independence through Radiant Health's Clubhouse Program. Radiant Health said, “The clubhouse program perfectly aligns with Radiant Health's mission to foster independence for individuals with mental illness through social engagement and skill-building activities. This crucial initiative addresses the heightened mental health needs brought about by the pandemic and aids community reintegration. This grant will secure the expansion and heightened impact of the clubhouse, significantly enhancing the mental well-being and independence of Marion residents.”
St. Martin DePorres Center, Inc. was awarded a grant to replace outdated kitchen appliances to improve meal preparation for underserved populations. St. Martin DePorres Center said, “This funding will be used to replace vital kitchen equipment that is 20 years old, ensuring we can continue to serve more than 80,000 meals annually to residents of Grant County. With this grant, we can better serve our community and provide critical support to those facing food insecurity.”
The Quilters Hall of Fame was awarded a grant to establish a Maker's Space to empower the community with sewing and quilting skills. The Quilters Hall of Fame said, “Marion Public Library (MPL) Maker Space is a space where people can learn and use new technologies and equipment they may not otherwise have access to. The 212 Grant Cycle funds that have been awarded to The Quilters Hall of Fame (TQHF) will be used to purchase sewing machines and equipment for this dedicated sewing space. After being "checked-out" on a sewing machine, library patrons will be able to reserve and use a sewing machine in the space. By establishing this Maker's Space, MPL and TQHF aim to empower our community members with valuable skills, to foster creativity, and to create a hub for collaborative learning and growth in Marion.”
The Salvation Army was awarded a grant to create a community garden and provide educational programs on growing, preparing, and preserving healthy food. The Salvation Army said, “Thanks to the generous support of the Community Foundation of Grant County, The Salvation Army Marion Corps Community Center is excited to launch our Harvest of Hope program, which will offer a garden for people in our community to grow fresh vegetables and learn canning and other food preparation techniques. This new program will help tackle food insecurity in Marion by empowering our struggling neighbors with the knowledge and resources to grow, prepare, and preserve healthy food for their families. We are grateful to the Community Foundation for investing in the Harvest of Hope program, and we look forward to continuing our partnership through expanded efforts to combat food insecurity in the future.”
The Wilson-Vaughan Hostess House was awarded a grant to preserve and maintain the historic Wilson-Vaughan Hostess House by repairing gutters, skylights, and replacing carpeting. The Hostess House said, “Marion’s rich heritage is as important as its future. One way of affirming this is through the preservation of historic buildings in our town. For Marion, this unique building is the Wilson-Vaughan Hostess House. This building is owned by our entire community and needs to be recognized as one of the important landmarks of Marion. Maintaining historic homes is a constant undertaking, so the improvements to be made through the 212 degree grant will be exceptionally beneficial in this endeavor. The grant allows the original gutters on the house to be improved, sagging ceilings to be fixed, and worn carpet to be replaced for the safety of our patrons and guests. Preserving this gem helps maintain our cultural heritage, while boosting local economy, and providing the patrons of Marion a sense of identity to our past, as well as a beautifully aesthetic place to visit.”
About the City of Marion, Indiana
Marion, Indiana, situated in east-central Indiana along the I-69 corridor, is a vibrant community celebrated for its rich history, cultural diversity, and innovative spirit. Known for welcoming both residents and visitors alike, Marion offers a dynamic blend of community events, extensive parks, and collaborative opportunities, all contributing to its unique identity as a place to live, work, and thrive. Led by Mayor Ronald Morrell, Jr., the city emphasizes growth and progress, continually investing in development and public resources for a promising future. For more information, visit the City of Marion's website at www.CityOfMarion.IN.gov.
About the Community Foundation of Grant County, Indiana, Inc.
The Community Foundation of Grant County, Indiana, Inc. is an advocate for local philanthropy and is dedicated to improving the lives of people in the Grant County area. An effective steward of the community’s charitable resources since 1984, the Foundation works with donors to establish charitable funds and supports non-profit organizations through a variety of grantmaking efforts. The Community Foundation connects people, resources, and causes to promote sustainable impact for the betterment of Grant County. Currently the Community Foundation holds over 400 charitable funds that support a variety of charities and charitable causes in Grant County. For more information, please visit www.GiveToGrant.org or call 765-662-0065.
###
