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With wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres, of course the mood was light and casual during the Granite Falls Area Community Foundations (GFACF) grant recipient celebration.
One year after only a single $113 grant was issued by the foundation, a combined $2,450 was bestowed upon six community organization––thanks in large part to the growing endowment.
A sizable crowd turned out for the event held at, and sponsored by, the Granite Run Golf Course. Between grants, door prizes, and a silent auction it was just about certain that no hands left empty.
Serving as the MC for the formal portion of the celebration, GFACF Board Chair Craig Bakkelund called attention to both the foundation’s mission and fundraising success over the course of the past two years before divvying out grant honors.
Established to “provide opportunities for the community to connect the legacy of the past to tomorrow's dreams through charitable giving and grant making,” $85,000 in financial commitments has the foundation well on its way.
This year all six grant applicants were approved for at least a portion of their funding requests. Organizations that were awarded grants included the Kiwanis, Granite Falls Historical Society, Granite Falls Riverfront Revitalization, Granite Arts Council, Granite Falls Area Community Theater Organization and Bert Raney Elementary.
As more donations arrive in the future the size of the endowment is expected to grow and, with it, the number and scale of projects that the foundation is able to assist.
As grant awards were doled out, Les Bergquist accepted a $300 dollar grant on behalf of the Kiwanis which will be put toward the purchase of a new root beer cooler for the popcorn stand.
YME sixth grade teacher Stacy Hinz accepted a $300 grant for the purchase of books to supplement the school’s reading program.
Nicole Zempel accepted a $500 grant award on behalf of GFRR, which she said will go toward the purchase of a projector screen for the K.K. Berge building.
The Granite Art Council was awarded a $500 grant to assist with the annual winter carnival variety show.
The Granite Falls Area Community Theater received a $500 grant, accepted by Mary Virnig, which will go toward the purchase of sound equipment.
On behalf of the Granite Falls Historical Society, Susan Van Hoof accepted a $350 grant that the organization intends to direct toward the purchase of a digital photo frame and DVD player.
Amongst a number of potential operations, Van Hoof said the Historical Society would like to use the technology to showcase upstairs antiques and exhibits that are out of reach for some individuals lacking in mobility.
“We would not have been able to obtain this piece of equipment without the foundation’s help,” Van Hoof said.
“I think it’s real important that the community acknowledges what the foundation does to encourage productivity and creativity locally.”
With wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres, of course the mood was light and casual during the Granite Falls Area Community Foundations (GFACF) grant recipient celebration.
One year after only a single $113 grant was issued by the foundation, a combined $2,450 was bestowed upon six community organization––thanks in large part to the growing endowment.
A sizable crowd turned out for the event held at, and sponsored by, the Granite Run Golf Course. Between grants, door prizes, and a silent auction it was just about certain that no hands left empty.
Serving as the MC for the formal portion of the celebration, GFACF Board Chair Craig Bakkelund called attention to both the foundation’s mission and fundraising success over the course of the past two years before divvying out grant honors.
Established to “provide opportunities for the community to connect the legacy of the past to tomorrow's dreams through charitable giving and grant making,” $85,000 in financial commitments has the foundation well on its way.
This year all six grant applicants were approved for at least a portion of their funding requests. Organizations that were awarded grants included the Kiwanis, Granite Falls Historical Society, Granite Falls Riverfront Revitalization, Granite Arts Council, Granite Falls Area Community Theater Organization and Bert Raney Elementary.
As more donations arrive in the future the size of the endowment is expected to grow and, with it, the number and scale of projects that the foundation is able to assist.
As grant awards were doled out, Les Bergquist accepted a $300 dollar grant on behalf of the Kiwanis which will be put toward the purchase of a new root beer cooler for the popcorn stand.
YME sixth grade teacher Stacy Hinz accepted a $300 grant for the purchase of books to supplement the school’s reading program.
Nicole Zempel accepted a $500 grant award on behalf of GFRR, which she said will go toward the purchase of a projector screen for the K.K. Berge building.
The Granite Art Council was awarded a $500 grant to assist with the annual winter carnival variety show.
The Granite Falls Area Community Theater received a $500 grant, accepted by Mary Virnig, which will go toward the purchase of sound equipment.
On behalf of the Granite Falls Historical Society, Susan Van Hoof accepted a $350 grant that the organization intends to direct toward the purchase of a digital photo frame and DVD player.
Amongst a number of potential operations, Van Hoof said the Historical Society would like to use the technology to showcase upstairs antiques and exhibits that are out of reach for some individuals lacking in mobility.
“We would not have been able to obtain this piece of equipment without the foundation’s help,” Van Hoof said.
“I think it’s real important that the community acknowledges what the foundation does to encourage productivity and creativity locally.”
