Foundation accepting applications for grants

The Salisbury Community Foundation is currently accepting applications from nonprofit organizations for its 2009 grants program.

Funds may be used to launch new programs or to develop innovative approaches that address community needs. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded.

Grants are limited to eligible organizations recognized as tax exempt by the IRS — nonprofit, governmental or educational institutions — for projects that will serve Salisbury/Rowan County citizens.

Grants do not cover book publication, conferences, endowment funds, individual needs, capital campaigns or operating budgets beyond the seed level.

Grant applications can be downloaded from www.salisbury-cf.org. Applications must be received by Sept. 11. For questions about the grants process, contact Karen Coppadge, grants specialist, at 704-973-4559, or kcoppadge@fftc.org.

In 2008, the Salisbury Community Foundation awarded $60,350 to 11 nonprofit organizations in the Salisbury/Rowan County area. Grants were awarded to the following organizations in 2008:

- $3,130 to Abundant Living Adult Day Service for a retractable fabric awning.

- $8,000 to Catawba College for the handicapped-accessible men's restroom renovation project.

- $3,500 to the city of Salisbury's Parks and Recreation for the Summer Outdoor Adventure Camp.

- $5,000 to Communities in Schools for technology improvement.

- $10,000 to Hood Theological Seminaries for renovation of residential rooms.

- $5,000 to Knox Middle School for its band program.

- $2,000 to Path of Hope for the Substance Abuse Halfway House for Women.

- $6,000 to Rowan County Parks and Recreation to assist in the construction of accessible restrooms at the Ellis Park Events Center.

- $8,720 to Rowan Helping Ministries for building and grounds renovations.

- $7,000 to Rowan Helping Ministries for the Overton Elementary Backpack Buddies program.

- $2,000 to Rowan Partners for Education for the Second Annual Education Summit.

The Salisbury Community Foundation is dedicated to inspiring philanthropy in the Salisbury/Rowan County area.

The foundation has a permanent endowment that was established in 1944 by local leaders to benefit a broad range of charitable purposes.

The Salisbury Community Foundation assists individuals and families address their philanthropic needs through charitable giving services; helps local nonprofits secure their future through endowments and establishment of charitable giving programs; and addresses a broad range of changing local needs through a grant-making program.

As an affiliate of Charlotte-based Foundation for the Carolinas, the Salisbury Community Foundation is dedicated to increasing charitable giving and strengthening the community.

The Salisbury Community Foundation's 2009 Board of Trustees include Christine P. Whitton, chairperson; Tom E. Smith, vice chairman; Alice M. Stanback, secretary; Dwight F. Messinger, treasurer; Patricia P. Rendleman, immediate past chairperson; Larry T. Cloninger Jr.; Steven Fisher; Shari Graham; Judy Grissom; R. Darrell Hancock; Susan W. Kluttz; Edward P. Norvell; and William C. Stanback.

For more information about the foundation, contact Meg Dees, vice president for development, Foundation For The Carolinas, 704-973-4504, or mdees@fftc.org.