On its second anniversary, the Niagara Community Foundation announced its second set of grants from its Community Fund. Ten groups from around Niagara were successful in this round.  "The quality of the grants this year was very high.  The creativity of the projects, the benefits to the community and the variety of initiatives are to be commended" said Betty-Lou Souter, Board member and Chair of the Foundation's Grant Making Advisory Committee.

Applications were received from 18 charities from across Niagara requesting over $53,000 in support.  Commenting on the proposals, Souter said "Our program focuses on community strengths not deficiencies. We look at what is working now in the community and how can we help to make it better."

Ten charities were selected to receive a total of $15,000 in grants, ranging from $500 to $3,000 per group.  The successful applicants included: Business Education Council of Niagara, Carousel Players, Fort Erie Public Library, Information Niagara, Family and Children's Services, Niagara Historical Society & Museum, Osteoporosis Society of Canada - Niagara Chapter, Project S.H.A.R.E., Rodman Hall Arts Centre and theatre Beyond Words.  "The grants will enable these organizations to do some very creative things that they wouldn't have been able to do otherwise," said Souter.

With this announcement, the Foundation has awarded $35,000 in grants to 39 different initiatives across Niagara in the past 12 months.  Virtually every community in the region has benefited from one or more of these projects - whether it was to send kids to camp, providing assistance to families in distress, assisting organizations with strategic planning or teaching children about road safety.

Established in November 2000, the Niagara Community Foundation is a collection of endowed funds held in perpetuity given by caring citizens who have chosen to make their community a better place to live and work.  To date $1,700,000 has been raised in permanently endowed funds.

Carousel Players - Carousel Players Studio Theatre Project - to support equipment necessary to create a 150 seat theatre in the Old Court House building in St. Catharines ($1,700)

Fort Erie Public Library - Fort Erie Library Teen Space - to create a designated area within the library especially for teens - this project was designed and developed with input from the library's teen advisory group ($1,500)

Information Niagara - Capacity Building through Accreditation - to provide staffing assistance as the organization becomes accredited by InformOntario in order to meet required 211 service standards  - 211 is the telephone number residents will be able to call to get information on and referral to any community and government service ($3,000)

Family and Children's Services - Corporate Identity Program for Foundation  - to assist the FACS Foundation to build public awareness and develop a unique and distinctive image in the community ($1,500)

Niagara Historical Society & Museum - Museum Outreach Program - to support the museum's "Bring the Museum to the People" program that targets school children in Grade 3 ($1,000)

Osteoporosis Society of Canada, Niagara Chapter - Osteoporosis Health Promotion and Information Display  - to expand current local community-based education and service programs through the acquisition and use of a portable health awareness display ($500)

Project S.H.A.R.E. - Software/Employee Training - To purchase new accounting and volunteer management software and to train staff and volunteers in use ($1,000)

Rodman Halls Arts Centre - Youth in Niagara Gallery - To develop the curatorial aspects related to formal exhibits dedicated to artwork produced by youth ($1,000)

Theatre Beyond Words - Mask Festival and Exhibit - To support one week of performances, workshops and demonstrations of mask theatre and an exhibition of masks from around the world (exhibits in Fort Erie and Niagara Falls) ($800)