Rochester Area Foundation awarded $146,000 in grants to 18 community nonprofits in the 2019 fall cycle of Better Communities Grants. Each year, Rochester Area Foundation awards grants in two competitive cycles, which are supported by the Better Communities Fund and donor funds held at the Foundation.
“I am so pleased that Rochester Area Foundation was able to invest in our communities and the nonprofits that serve them,” said Jennifer Woodford, President of Rochester Area Foundation. “With the support of our donors, we have awarded grants for programs supporting dental health, financial literacy, environmental learning, service dogs, diverse cultural communities, and mental health among others.”
Jeremy Emmi, Community Impact Officer at Rochester Area Foundation added, “Our Grant Distribution Committee works incredibly hard reviewing grant applications, completing site visits, and pooling resources with donors to maximize funding for these grants. The grant process highlights the collaborative nature and generosity in the Rochester area.”
The following are the grants awarded for Fall Cycle of the 2019 Better Communities Grants:
180 Degrees
180 Degrees, which manages the Von Wald Group Home, was awarded $3,000 to serve at-risk teens who experience violence, trauma, neglect, and chemical and mental health issues by rewarding positive behavior for youth in residence.
Apple Tree Dental
Apple Tree Dental is a nonprofit dental clinic serving those with special access needs who face barriers to care. Their award for $7,300 will support training and startup costs needed to launch an IV sedation program supporting services in Olmsted County.
Can Do Canines
Can Do Canines was awarded $10,000 to support their Prison Puppy Raising Program at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester. Specially trained inmates raise and train puppies to become assistance dogs who are matched with a person who has a disability.
Children's dental health services
Children’s Dental Health Services was awarded $8,000 to provide comprehensive dental care to uninsured children in Olmsted County by offering services to children at their school, removing many barriers to care.
commonweal theatre company
Commonweal Theatre Company was awarded $3,000 to support their Student Matinee Series, with the goal of providing curriculum-enhancing cultural experiences to students in the region.
Community Interfaith Dialogue on Islam (cidi)
Community Interfaith Dialogue on Islam (CIDI) was awarded $8,500 to support their CIDI Empowerment Center, focusing on providing access to financial assistance and community services to single mothers in a safe and culturally sensitive space.
eagle bluff environmental learning center
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center was awarded $9,050 to support a nature-based day-camp for preschool-aged children in the summer, offering youngest learners structured outdoor play activities.
exercisabilities, inc.
Exercisabilities, Inc. was awarded $7,800 to provide training and tools required to enhance interactive learning in their sensory processing rehabilitation program for special needs preschool and elementary age children.
family service rochester
Family Service Rochester was awarded $6,000 to provide nutritious meals to seniors through Meals on Wheels and their new congregate dining site, focusing on underserved cultural and ethnic populations through provision of varying cultural cuisines.
familymeans
FamilyMeans was awarded $8,500 to help families maintain financial stability through budget and debt counseling, financial education, and student loan counseling.
jeremiah program
Jeremiah Program was awarded $20,000 to support their programming for low-income single mothers with young children, focusing on building out their financial literacy life-skills trainings and operationalizing their early childhood program model in their child development center.
listos preschool and childcare
Listos Preschool and Childcare was awarded $10,000 to develop a culturally sensitive family outreach curriculum to provide bilingual, adult education to help families overcome language and other barriers to access resources.
minnesota council of nonprofits
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits was awarded $4,100 to support their educational trainings and programming, including a new Nonprofit Board Academy, in their Southeast region.
nami southeast minnesota
NAMI Southeast Minnesota was awarded $15,750 to add and train additional Peer Support Specialists, who serve clients with mental illness free of charge in Dodge County, to address increased need.
rockchester
ROCKchester, a nonprofit with the mission of energizing the creative arts landscape in the Midwest for young adults, was awarded $5,000 to support educational programming offered in conjunction with their annual music festival featuring youth musicians and artists.
serveminnesota
ServeMinnesota was awarded $6,500 to support a trained Math Corps tutor to work with area 4th-8th graders who are below grade level and provide free, personalized tutoring.
sports mentorship academy
Sports Mentorship Academy was awarded $6,000 to support their Trauma Sensitive Sports programming, using sports-related activities as a means of providing mental health support for individuals suffering from the effects of Trauma Influenced Behaviors.
zumbro ridge estates
Zumbro Ridge Estates, a resident-owned manufactured home community, was awarded $7,500 to provide safe playground equipment for the community’s 200+ children to enjoy.