Registered charities from across Niagara have until August 30^th to apply to the Niagara Community Foundation's annual community grants program. This year the foundation has $15,000 available to distribute, with the priority given to projects supporting children and youth in recreation.

Charities interested in submitting a grant are encouraged to call the foundation offices, at (905) 684-8688, prior to completing the application. This provides an opportunity for the foundation to work with the applicant in order to determine if the project meets the granting criteria. A complete copy of the application is available to download from the foundation's website at www.niagaracommunityfoundation.org

The Niagara Community Foundation supports projects in many sectors including the environment, arts, heritage, education, social services, recreation, health and education. The overall focus of the granting program is to support projects aimed at strengthening the ability of local groups to deliver quality programs and services.

Established in 2000, the Niagara Community Foundation is a collection of endowed funds and resources given by caring citizens who have chosen to make their community a better place to live and work. To date $800,000 has been raised in permanently endowed funds. A portion of the earnings on the funds are annually distributed to charities, either through the foundation's grants program or as donors specify when each fund is created.

For release: June 12, 2002

For further information contact: Liz Palmieri, Executive Director, (905) 684-8688