Foundation Awards Grants
Justin Cord Hayes as seen in the High Point Enterprise - January 2003
The High Point Community Foundation has awarded nearly $750,000 to agencies since 1999.
The High Point Community Foundation awarded $175,000 in grants Thursday to 30 nonprofit agencies.
Since 1999 the foundation has given away $750,000 to 83 nonprofit agencies dealing with the economically disadvantaged, diversity promotion, the arts and youth, education and community projects.
"If there's any bad news to report, it's that we haven't given away enough," foundation Chairman Jim Morgan said at Thursday's banquet. "Someday we want to be giving a million dollars each year."
Joe Rawley, grants chairman, said nonprofit agencies are challenged by a poor economy and shifting political winds. Paul Lessard, foundation executive director, praised local nonprofit leaders for rising to the challenge.
The foundation's single largest grant, $24,000, went to the Macedonia Family Resource Center. Members of the economically disadvantaged south High Point neighborhood are working with various groups, such as the United Way of Greater High Point and members of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, to build a center that will offer a safe and educational haven for the neighborhood's children and young adults.
"We're very honored to receive the top gift, and promise to use it wisely," said Bob Rule, acting president of the Macedonia Family Resource Center's board. "This is our first money raised outside of board members."
Open Door Ministries also received one of the largest grants, $15,000. The agency has "consistently provided professional and compassionate aid to the homeless and working poor of High Point," Lessard said.
Steve Key, Open Door's executive director, said: "When I heard what we were getting, I was overwhelmed. We've got so many people with needs in this community, and this will help us to assist them even better."
Marsha Slane, High Point philanthropist and foundation board member, summed up remarks: "These grants today speak volumes of what is truly possible and what High Point is about."