MONTGOMERY, AL – The Central Alabama Community Foundation (CACF) awarded $189,615.00 in grants to 24 River Region nonprofits that support family and wellness initiatives in Montgomery, Lowndes, Macon, Autauga, and Elmore counties.
The Family, Food, and Medical Grants awarded are part of the Family Wellness and Education Grant Cycle that CACF manages. Funds from these grants will go directly toward assisting many within these communities.
The nonprofit organizations awarded grants from CACF and its two affiliates, Autauga Area Community Foundation and Elmore County Community Foundation, are listed below at the May 20 grant ceremony.Â
Central Alabama Community Foundation ($94,442.00)
Family Grants ($28,376.00)
$5,500.00 to CASA of the River Region – to support CASA’s recruitment and training of volunteers to pair as advocates with children referred by the Montgomery County Family Court
$9,620.00 to Life on Wheels – to purchase evidence-based educational materials needed for one year for the agency’s education of pregnant clients on the importance of prenatal care and referrals to insurance, nutritional resources, and medical services
$6,356.00 to Mental Health America, Montgomery – to support the program coordinator and field trip costs for the Psychosocial Clubhouse, which provides clients with serious mental health diagnoses with a support system and social opportunities
$6,900.00 to Ostara Initiative – to provide 62 doula visits for pregnant women in Tutwiler Prison
Food Grants ($30,550.00)
$8,218.00 to MBA Community Ministries, Inc. – to provide one year of weekly meals for 50 homeless clients who will also receive case management services, weekend meals, and referrals to other support services
$10,832.00 to Meals on Wheels Montgomery AL Metro Area – to provide the meal costs for 242 serving days for six senior citizens participating in the Northern Route Meals on Wheels
$6,500.00 to Society of St. Andrew – to provide packing and transportation costs for a large crop-drop distribution that will result in about 120,000 servings of produce to nonprofit providers in Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery counties
$5,000.00 to Young Men on a Mission – to support the operation of a West Montgomery community garden that provides fresh produce and eggs for elderly residents and hosts free monthly community garden events
Medical Grants ($30,516.00)
$8,516.00 to Medical Outreach Ministries – to support the costs of providing free medications for uninsured, low-income adult clients in Montgomery County
$22,000.00 to the Shorter Fire Auxiliary – to purchase a medical monitor for EMS field use on all medical and accident calls by the Shorter Volunteer Fire Department that will provide CPR quality in real-time, noninvasive blood pressure measurement, multi-lead ECG, pulse oximeter, and defibrillator capabilities
Technical Assistance Grants ($5,000.00)
$2,500.00 to CASA of the River Region – to contract with a media firm to develop a branding campaign and implement a social media strategy
$2,500.00 to Embrace Alabama Kids – to replace two outdated laptops for Mary Ellen’s Hearth staff to use in case management and administrative activities
Autauga Area Community Foundation ($14,500.00)
Family Wellness Grants ($8,500.00)
$2,500.00 to Autauga Interfaith Care Center – to purchase cooling fans and heaters to distribute to Autauga County clients in need of these resources
$3,000.00 to Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center – to provide for two Autauga County children to receive forensic interviews, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and caregiver support sessions
$3,000.00 to Family Sunshine Center – to support the delivery of evidence-based counseling services for Autauga County children experiencing trauma from abuse, sexual assault, or witnessing domestic violence
Medical Grants ($6,000.00)
$3,000.00 to Medical Outreach Ministries – to support the costs of providing free medical care and medications for uninsured, low-income adults in Autauga County
$3,000.00 to Sight Savers America – to provide high-tech low vision/blind aid and case management services to one child in Autauga County
Elmore County Community Foundation ($25,132.00)
Family Wellness Grants ($11,990.00)
$3,000.00 to Autism Support of Alabama – to provide $250.00 to 12 families affected by autism to support the costs of elopement/wandering safety devices, respite care, ABA therapy, swimming lessons, or other necessary services
$3,000.00 to Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center – to provide for two Elmore County children to receive forensic interviews, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and caregiver support sessions
$1,300.00 to CASA of the River Region – to support the training costs of volunteers to pair as advocates with children referred by the Elmore County Family Court
$3,000.00 to Family Sunshine Center – to support the delivery of evidence-based counseling services for Elmore County children experiencing trauma from abuse, sexual assault, or witnessing domestic violence
$1,690.00 to Wetumpka Depot Players – to support the Penguin Project, where children with disabilities participate in a full theater program that becomes an enriching physical therapy and speech-language opportunity
Food Grants ($3,000.00)
$3,000.00 to W.E.L.C.O.M.E., Inc. – to support the food pickup and purchase costs to provide food to 350 Elmore County families monthly
Medical Grants ($7,642.00)
$1,642.00 to First Choice Women’s Medical Center – to support the costs of providing medical services to women in Elmore County to increase access to care for unplanned pregnancies
$3,000.00 to Medical Outreach Ministries – to support the costs of providing free medical care and medications for uninsured, low-income adults in Elmore County
$3,000.00 to Sight Savers America – to provide high-tech low vision/blind aid and case management services to one child in Elmore County
Technical Assistance Grants ($2,500.00)
$2,500.00 to Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center – to upgrade out-of-date computers used for administrative tasks
Field of Interest Grants ($55,541.00)
CACF Group Homes for Children Grant ($7,471.00)
$7,471.00 to Easter Seals Central Alabama – to support the costs of a PATH-certified instructor in the hippotherapy program serving clients ages four to fourteen years with autism or developmental delays
ECCF Margaret & Auston Bridges Fund for Arts Education Grant ($970.00)
$485.00 to Holtville High School – to purchase new sheet music for vocal ensembles and accompanying instrumental parts for the Choir Program
$485.00 to Wetumpka High School – to purchase sewing machines, thread, and fabric for the Visual Arts Program’s projects that involve sewing
CACF Mental Health Grant ($1,300.00)
$1,300.00 to Mental Health America, Montgomery – to support transportation costs for participants in the Psychosocial Clubhouse, which provides clients with a serious mental health diagnosis with a support system and social opportunities
CACF Merle S. and Mack C. Hunt Diabetes Grant ($40,800.00)
$20,000.00 to Medical Outreach Ministries – to support salary costs of a nurse practitioner, medical assistants, and patient advocate for the free one-on-one diabetes education program and to provide annual medications and diabetes testing supplies for all participants
$20,800.00 to Southeastern Diabetes Education Services – to provide 26 Montgomery area children with $800 scholarships to Camp Seale Harris, where they will learn how to manage their diabetes
CACF Give Smart Montgomery Grant ($5,000.00)
$5,000.00 to Quiet Storm Outreach Group – to support the cost of outreach supplies distributed to panhandlers in the City of Montgomery to build relationships to identify the panhandlers’ long-term needs and link them to resources that address those needs