11.06.2009 -  In observance of Community Foundation Week, Fort Smith Area Community Foundation has awarded $10,400 in grants to eight Sebastian County nonprofits in the first of two annual grant cycles. Largest grants of $2,750 went to Next Step Day Room to help provide security systems for its locations serving the homeless, and to Fort Smith Little Theatre to provide new lobby drapes.

Other grants from the Fort Smith Area Community Foundation’s unrestricted endowment announced are:

Clayton House, $500
Community Services Clearinghouse $1,000
Fort Smith Trolley Museum, $1,000
Good Samaritan Clinic, $700
River Valley Animal Welfare Coalition, $700
Sack Lunch Program, $1,000

Community Foundation week, November 12-18, is a national event spearheaded by the Council on Foundations each year to raise awareness of the work community foundations do in managing endowment funds, making grants to nonprofits and helping solve community problems. The annual observance began in 1989 with a proclamation by President George H.W. Bush and a briefing to Congress on the work of community foundations.

Community Foundations are one of the fastest-growing forms of philanthropy in the U.S. with more than $50 billion in assets in about 700 Community Foundations distributing some $4 billion to nonprofits each year. CF funds are popular because donors get the most favorable tax treatment available while retaining the option to advise which non-profits get grants.   

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, Fort Smith Area Community Foundation’s 43 funds distributed about $900,000 to charities.  Virtually all was designated by fund donors, but the total included $32,050 in FSACF discretionary funds.

Second-cycle application information for Sebastian County non-profits will be announced on January 10 on the website at www.arcf.org. Information about grants or establishing a fund is also available at dcunning10@gmail.com or by calling 484-5150.