Community Foundation Awards Grants
Barry L. Williams as seen in the High Point Enterprise - January 2003
The High Point Community Foundation awarded $175,000 in grants to 30 nonprofit organizations Thursday afternoon at its fifth annual grants luncheon.
Although the roads were slick and the wind chill hovered in the single digits, the ballroom at the High Point Country Club was nearly full for the occasion.
Four organizations received "lead grants." Underscoring the foundation's commitment to community building, the arts, education and the homeless.
* The largest grant of $24,000 was awarded to the Macedonia Family Resource Center.
The 23,000 square- foot center, located at the corner of S.
Centennial Street and Lake Avenue will contain a Head Start
program, a multi-purpose room, and nine classrooms and offices.
Bob Rule, chairman of center's board of directors, said the money
will be used for start-up funds for operations.
"This is our first income other than donations from our board
members." He said. "It's going to get us off to a good start."
* A grant of $19,200 was awarded to The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, a world-class theatrical company that teaches and entertains.
In the past several years, the festival has struggled financially and has accrued a sizeable debt.
Pedro Silva, managing director of the festival, said the organization desperately needs to "enter the 21st century" and will use the funding for technology.
"I'm thrilled that the foundation has sought to incorporate the artistic and cultural life of the community in a major grant," he said. "I'm impressed the foundation realized that many components go into making a community successful."
* Communities in Schools received a grant for $15,500 to help underwrite the establishment of the High Point Scholars Program.
Cerise Collins, executive director of CIS of High Point, said the program will provide the final dollars for students who have been accepted to college and have remaining expenses.
"Our mission is to help young people successfully learn, stay in school and prepare for life," she said. "This grant will help us attain those goals."
* The final lead grant for $15,000 was awarded to Open Door Ministries.
Over the years, Open Door has provided professional aid to the homeless and working poor of Greater High Point.
Steve Key, executive director of the organization, said the funding will aid such efforts as the substance abuse program.
"But this will also help us in working with homeless people who aren't in our shelter," he said. "We feel like anyone who is homeless in our community is part of our concern and our vision for helping."
Since the inception of the grant program in 1999, the foundation has awarded $750,000 in unrestricted grants.
"Really, that's not enough," said Jim Morgan, chairman of the foundation board. "Our goal is that we can be able to give a million a year or more."
Paul Lessard, executive director of the foundation, referred to the workers in non-profit organizations as his heroes and said they are not recognized enough in his book.
GRANT RECIPIENTS
Lead Grants:
Macedonia Family Resource Center $24,000
North Carolina Shakespeare Festival $19,200
Communities In Schools $15,500
Open Door Ministries of High Point, Inc. $15,000
Education
Montlieu Math and Science Academy $3,600
Family Services of the Piedmont, Inc. $3,500
Junior Achievement of Central North Carolina $2,500
John Wesley College $1,200
Center for Nonprofit Leadership $1,000
Health
LifeSpan $4,200
Aid to the Economically Disadvantaged
Habitat for Humanity $8,300
West End Ministries $7,500
Young Women's Christian Association $6,500
Guilford Interfaith Hospitality Network $6,000
Diversity Projects
Macedonia Center for the Study of Social IssueS $4,500
Carl Chavis YMCA $3,300
The Arts
High Point Museum $1,700
Theatre Art Galleries $1,700
High Point Area Arts Council $1,500
Youth Projects
The DePaul Academy $8,000
BOTSO $5,600
Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club $4,400
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Piedmont $3,700
William Bruce Gray, Jr. Philmont Scholarship $3,600
High Point Police Department-Midnight Basketball $3,300
Community Projects
High Point Fire Department $5,800
Historical Jamestown Society $3,400
Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation $3,200
Court Watch of North Carolina, Inc. $2,300
Piedmont Triad Council for Int'l Visitors $1,000