Wednesday, December 5, 2018

MONTGOMERY—The Central Alabama Community Foundation (CACF) on Wednesday awarded $85,890 in grants to twelve River Region nonprofits that provide shelter and social service programs in Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon and Montgomery counties.

The shelter and social services grants awarded Wednesday are part of the Cultural and Community Enhancement Grant Cycle that CACF manages.  Applications were submitted in July, and shelter and social services grants were approved by CACF’s Board of Directors in November.

Nonprofits receiving 2018 CACF Shelter and Social Services Grants include:

• Alabama Kidney Foundation ($6,000) – to provide support for their Financial Assistance Program which helps patients with purchasing medication, handicap equipment, transportation assistance and seasonal high utility bills.
• American Red Cross of Alabama ($7,500) – to install 500 smoke detectors in high risk areas in Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery counties.
• Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center ($2,500) – to provide forensic interviews, therapy, caregiver support, and advocacy services to 2 children victimized by abuse and/or neglect from Elmore County.
• Child Protect ($5,000) – to support victims of alleged child sex abuse, severe physical abuse or the witness of a murder, rape or domestic violence. Child Protect sees over 500 children per year and provides forensic interviews and follow-up counseling.
• HandsOn River Region ($7,000) – to support “Christmas Clearinghouse.” The River Region’s largest holiday giving program.  Funds will assist our area’s neediest families (families with children up to 18 years old, the disabled, and elderly) by matching donors with adoptive families during the holiday season.
• Kid One Transport ($5,000) – to provide transportation for children, under the age of 19, and expectant mothers who have little or no means of transportation to needed medical care.
• Macon County Humane Society ($12,495) – to provide 100 vouchers to low income citizens for annual vaccines and spay/neuter services, 25 enclosures with pens and dog houses to reduce the number of dogs chained without shelter in the community.
• Montgomery Baptist Association Community Ministries, Inc. ($9,800) – to create nutrition workshops and a community garden of 40 plots at the Forest Park Ministry Center (FPMC). Ten plots will be tended by FPMC volunteers and 30 plots will be tended by the community.  Plots will provide fresh food in an area that is food insecure with a high poverty rate.
• Montgomery Cancer Wellness Foundation ($2,500) – to provide transportation, medication assistance and advocacy services to 100 medically underserved, low income, insured and uninsured cancer patients from Elmore County.
• Red Mountain Grace ($9,200) – to fully furnish and sustain one apartment (rent and utilities) for one year.  Apartments are available for patients and their families from Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery counties while receiving critical medical treatment in Birmingham.
• Southeastern Diabetes Education Services ($6,400) – to assist children with diabetes attend and receive diabetes education at Camp Seale Harris. Funds will cover nutrition, medical and activity supplies.
• That’s My Child ($12,495) – to build an outdoor classroom over an existing basketball court. Funds will cover an awning, repaving, tree removal, lighting, volleyball nets, classroom supplies, tables and chairs.

“For thirty-one years, the Central Alabama Community Foundation has been making investments into nonprofits in our community,” CACF President Burton Crenshaw said.  “Each of the organizations receiving grants today provides services to those in our community who are most in need of Hope and new opportunities.  Without safe shelter, sustenance, and access to services that so many of us are able to take for granted, too many in our community slip through the cracks. Our generous donors understand how important giving Hope and meaningful help is to someone in need. We at CACF are grateful to the champions in our community who help us provide this crucial funding to these dedicated nonprofits.”

CACF was founded in 1987. Since its inception, CACF has grown to hold more than $65 million in charitable assets while distributing more than $55 million to organizations that serve the community. CACF serves several counties including Autauga, Coffee, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lowndes, Macon and Montgomery.

Through its more than 230+ funds established by donors, CACF addresses a wide variety of concerns, supporting projects and programs in education, health, human services, cultural arts, recreation, historic preservation and other civic concerns. Each year, the foundation distributes more than $5 million through hundreds of grants and scholarships.