The Community Foundation is awarding $717,800 in competitive grants to local nonprofit organizations.  Eighty-six Pioneer Valley projects will receive funding with awards ranging from $500 to $40,000.   The Community Foundation awards competitive grants twice each year, with funds targeting projects addressing community needs from arts and culture to education, from the environment to health, housing, and human services for residents of Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

Funding for the competitive grants program comes from distributions from over 35 funds established by diverse individuals and groups committed to supporting local nonprofits.   These donors rely on the Community Foundation’s volunteers and staff to focus their funds for effective use by nonprofit agencies in our community.  Thirteen volunteer members of the Foundation’s Distribution Committee and 17 project reviewers carefully evaluated all 103 applications for funding requests totaling over $1.6 million dollars. They recommended the funds be distributed by county as follows:

The season of giving is in full swing as the end of the year quickly approaches. It is a busy time for the Foundation’s Philanthropic Services team as generous community members make end of year gifts. A few things to keep in mind for the giving season this year:

Tax-smart gifts include donations of appreciated stock, and before the end of 2011, donors may take advantage of a special provision which offers an IRA owner, age 70½ or over, the opportunity to directly transfer tax-free up to $100,000 per year to an eligible charity. Instructions for year-end gifts can be found on our website at communityfoundation.org/gifts/donate.html or you may call our Philanthropic Services staff at 413-732-2858 to learn more.

December 31st is a Saturday this year, so if you are planning to make a donationbefore the end of 2011, don’t wait. Donations made through the Foundation’s website must be entered before noon on Friday the 30th to meet the deadline for 2011. All the end of year deadlines can be found on our website here www.communityfoundation.org/gifts/donate.html.

As always, giving to the Foundation’s Annual Fund is a convenient way to support all of our work, including grants to local charities and scholarships for students.

Staff Changes at the Foundation

The Foundation welcomes Ashley Pereira, a native of Springfield and graduate of Smith College and STCC. She began interning in our Education Department before becoming our new Assistant to the President.

We also have two job openings at the Foundation currently.  The first is a new position, Director of Development.  The search is underway for someone with extensive fundraising experience to join the Philanthropic Services team.

The Foundation has also posted a position for a staff accountant after Debbie Koske, who worked at the Foundation for 14 years, accepted a managerial position with Pride Stations & Stores in Springfield.  Also, Yvette Morneau, who has been with the Foundation since its inception as a contract accountant, has opted to end her contract to focus more of her attention on other organizations with which she works.  We will miss both Debbie and Yvette and wish them well in the next phases of their careers.

Scholarship Application Available Soon

The Community Foundation’s scholarship program will be accepting applications for the 2012-2013 academic year from January 3 through March 30, 2012.  The application form will be available online at www.communityfoundation.org/scholarships.