Eleven local nonprofits receive training/professional development grants
Macon County – Eleven Macon County Legacy member organizations have been selected to receive a total of more than $12,000 in Microgrants from The Community Foundation of Macon County (CFMC). The grants are targeted to help fund training and professional development programs for this staff and board members within this specific group of nonprofits. The total amount of grants awarded is the most awarded since the Foundation’s Microgrants program was founded in 2010.
This year’s recipients are:
The Boys and Girls Club of Decatur ($1,128), The Boy Scouts of America Greater St. Louis Area Council ($900), Decatur Day Care Center ($240), Decatur Family YMCA ($1,200), The Good Samaritan Inn ($1,200) Heritage Behavioral Health Center ($1,500), Macon County CASA ($1,480), Macon Resources Inc. ($1,500), Prairie Flower Montessori School ($1,200), Project Read Plus ($320) and The Salvation Army of Decatur and Macon County ($1,500).
“The application process was extremely competitive this year,” said CFMC President Natalie Beck. “Our review committee was given the difficult task of selecting from a group of outstanding and worthy organizations who all seek to improve their capabilities in serving our community.”
Decatur Family YMCA CEO Dominic Santomassimo noted the negative impact COVID-19 has had on monthly membership dues, including an increase in requests for need-based sliding fee scales. He plans to use their grant to help improve the organization’s fundraising efforts.
“This grant will give us the opportunity to learn to be better at sharing our stories about our youth development and health programs and how they strengthen the community,” said Santomassimo, who will use the funding to complete a course on developing annual sustainability at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Macon County CASA Executive Director Julia Livingston said receiving this grant coincides with her state organization’s emphasis on addressing racial equity in child welfare.
“This will be an opportunity for our staff and volunteers to get further training on diversity and inclusion to prepare them for working with children of all ages, races, socioeconomic backgrounds and sexual orientations so they can advocate better,” says Livingston, whose staff will attend a statewide virtual training with the grant funds.
Applications for 2022 Microgrants will open to Macon County Legacy members in February 2022.
For more information about the Microgrants program or becoming a Macon County Legacy member, contact CFMC President Natalie Beck at 217.429.3000 or nbeck@maconcountygives.org..
Established in 2000, The Community Foundation of Macon County stewards more than 300 funds and total assets of $44 million. To date, The Community Foundation has distributed over $34 million to charitable organizations and endeavors. For more information about The Community Foundation of Macon County, visit maconcountygives.org.
