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Latah County foundation looking for grant projects

Written by Lisa Montierth - Argonaut

Monday, 14 April 2008

The Latah County Community Foundation is accepting applications for grants to benefit community programs and projects. Founded in 2000, the LCCF is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Latah County. It gives about $60,000 a year to non-profit groups that work with civic improvement, the arts, education, youth, health and the environment. So far, LCCF has awarded more than $250,000 in grants. In order to be eligible for funding, a group must be a public charity with tax-exempt status and use the funding for a charitable purpose. Foundation director Kenton Bird said that LCCF looks favorably on innovative projects that want to deal with old problems in new ways. “We are always interested in funding groups that address needs outside of Moscow, in the small towns and rural areas of Latah County,” Bird said. Though the LCCF will consider grants of up to $3,000, smaller grants have a greater chance of being funded. Jay Pengilly, president of the LCCF, said the foundation is especially interested in receiving applications from groups that have never received a LCCF grant. Three types of funding are awarded: project or program support for new or existing programs, capacity building support to improve an organization’s ability to serve its constituents and start-up support for new organizations or projects. The last round of grants were awarded in February. The three largest grants, each $3,000, were given to Regional Public Transportation, the Palouse Audubon Society, and the Moscow Central Lions Club. The groups plan to use this money for the purchase of two new mini-buses, a community wildlife viewing area at the wetlands along Paradise Creek and additional playground equipment for Lions Park. Other grants awarded provided for family science outreach programs in Latah County, a pool cover and exercise chairs for the Gritman Wellness Center and round pens and barn panels to accommodate rescued animals. Bird said the foundation is also interested in projects that reach under-served members of the community, such as people with disabilities or low-income families. Grant applications will be reviewed by the foundation’s board of directors and a 24-member community advisory board. The LCCF was founded with a large gift from former Moscow resident Janet Lecompte, which has continued to fund grants with its investment earnings. Applications should be postmarked no later than Friday and sent to Latah Foundation, P.O. Box 9049, Moscow. They may also be delivered before 5 p.m. that day to offices of Hayden & Ross, 315 S. Almon in Moscow. Application guidelines are available from the Foundation’s Web site, www.latahfoundation.org. Grants will be awarded in May. Add as favorites (32) | Views: 433 Be first to comment this article Write Comment Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code. Name: Title: Comment: