This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
10/05/2022 08:47 AMThe Guilford Foundation (TGF) has announced its celebration of the work of local and regional non-profit organizations with the awarding of more than $90,000 in grants. According to the Foundation, the awards will help Guilford residents and the community as a whole thrive, despite the many challenges of the last year.
For more than 45 years, TGF has supported local projects and campaigns that enhance the Guilford community, according to Executive Director Liza Petra.
“The Guilford Foundation is unique because we are a permanent source of funding. We actually raise private dollars and invest those dollars and use a portion of the proceeds out into the community every year, with the hope that the assets continue to grow over time so that we can support the community in perpetuity,” Petra said. “Our mission and our goal is to enhance the quality of life in Guilford and we do that by connecting people who care, with the causes that matter. And we do that by raising private dollars, and investing wisely, so that we can support organizations year after year.”
Petra said that after a rigorous review process, 22 grants were partially or fully funded out of an applicant pool of 27, requesting more than $200,000 in grants. A total of $84,150 was awarded and close to $10,000 was set aside for emergent funds throughout the year, according to Petra.
The selecting of competitive grants is a months-long process by The Guilford Foundation’s Community Investment Committee, Petra said. The Foundation sources grants and funding in several different ways.
“Each year the Foundation puts together what we call our grant budget. A portion of those funds go to our competitive grant making, which is what this particular funding went to,” said Petra. “We have a number of scholarships that we distribute in partnership with the high school. We also have a number funds every year that are dedicated to a particular organization, and then some donor advised funds. These annual competitive grants are something that we are able to do thanks to the generosity of our community, and our careful investment.”
According to Chair of the Committee Alexander Sulpasso, each application is read by every member of the committee.
“When we started this grants process on the backside of COVID, we realized we wanted to be a little more strategic in our decision making, but also dynamic to respond to emergent needs of the community,” Sulpasso said.
According to Sulpasso, the committee prioritized requests surrounding basic needs including food, shelter, and emergency assistance, as well as mental health and well-being. The committee also focused on child and youth development; justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI), arts and culture, and economic recovery.
Citing an example, Sulpasso said, the Guilford Center for Children received a $6,000 grant for tuition assistance. According to Sulpasso, the committee was moved by a letter of support in the application from parents who had received tuition assistance enabling them to keep their local business open throughout COVID.
One of the grant recipients is the Guilford Center for Children’s Early Education program that serves children ages three to five on a sliding scale fee structure that is set by the state, according to TGF officials. Their full-day program offers a nurturing and consistent environment for children to explore language arts, science, music and fine arts, and movement, according to the Center’s Director Lisa Jones.
However, even with a sliding scale, families can sometimes still struggle to make ends meet, making grants from organizations like The Guilford Foundation critical to their operations, Jones said.
According to Petra, the Foundation’s mission is a crucial component for many local organizations and for town and community enhancements that many residents may not be aware of.
“We are sort of like that hub of support for folks who want to support Guilford and recognize that our foundation has really some really good relationships and understands the needs of the community, and are able to distribute those resources,” Petra said. “We’ve all heard ‘Think globally, act locally,’ and Guilford is a place where you could easily look around and say ‘Everything is fine here.’ In general, Guilford is a really fabulous and wonderful place, but at the same time and in reality, there are challenges that every family is facing, and some more severe than others — from loss of a job, domestic violence, substance abuse, and other issues that you don’t necessarily see. The Guilford Foundation is here to try and take care of those who are most vulnerable. Also, the environment, and enhancing the best parts of Guilford and helping it grow.”
Another example of an organization that is enhanced by the Foundation’s resources, According to Sulpasso, is the Women and Family Life Center. This year the Center received some of the largest support including a $12,000 grant for its Guided Assistance Program that provides personal support and referrals for women and families facing challenges, and is a great example of the effectiveness of the competitive grants program, Sulpasso said.
“We are always seeking to partner with organizations and programs making ripples big and small in Guilford. Our true measure of success is the impact we have in our community and the lives we can touch while filling our mission,” Sulpasso said.
For more information on TGF or to donate, visit guilfordfoundation.org or via phone at 203-640-4049.