September/October 2013

Your gift to the Partnership Grantmaking program is strengthened by challenge grants.

 10 Charities Win Partnership Grants

     Thanks to you, the generous donors to the Partnership Grantmaking program, $109,000 is going to 10 great organizations serving large and small communities across northern Nevada. Each charity has committed to matching their challenge grant. We hope this helps to give the charity a platform for fundraising and expands their donor base.

     Congratulations to the winners. Enjoy reading about their projects and know that all this good work can happen because you cared. Links to winning organizations website are provided. We appreciate that you trust the Foundation to make excellent grant choices. Thank you.

Austin's House - Carson City

     $14,000 matching grant pays for grocery,utilities and transportation for 2014. Austin's House provides emergency shelter and compassionate care for up to 10 children between the ages of birth to 18. The children who are placed at Austin's House have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Whenever possible, children stay in the school they attended before being placed at Austin's House.

Black Rock Solar - Reno

     $2,000 in matching funds provides 12 field trips for 720-900 local students. The students visit organizations where Black Rock Solar has built solar arrays. Trips focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as students learn about renewable energy and technology, climate change, and conservation issues. These trips also teach students about the variety of services and needs found in northern Nevada. 

Communities in Schools of Nevada - Elko

     $14,000 in matching funds supports the Hunger Prevention Program, the only breakfast program available on-site at schools for children with Elko County.

Community Chest, Inc.- Virginia City

     $15,000 challenge grant helps the Storey County Library hire a certified librarian, supplies library support materials and initiates the process for meeting state minimum standards for public libraries. The Story County Library in Virginia City reopened in July 2013 with help from the Community Chest and volunteers.  The library is open to the public three days a week for two hours a day, thanks to volunteers. The goal for the library is to move toward public library status recognized by Nevada State Library and Archives. 

Friends in Service Helping (FISH) - Gardnerville

     $15,000 match funds will establish a free Family Dining Room in the Gardnerville Ranchos, the poorest section of Douglas County.

Holland Project - Reno

     $6,000 challenge grant will support the Youth Leaders Program.

Students in the program work with Holland staff, Board members, committees and a mentor to execute and lead special events and projects. This provides a unique and hands-on experience  and opportunity for the students as well as improving the overall quality and breadth of Holland's program offerings.   

Nevada Health Centers - Elko

     $15,000 in matching funds will help pay for the travel and operating cost of the NVHC Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. The Care Mobile is based in Elko, Nevada but travels to such places as Silver Springs, Ely, Winnemucca, Carlin, Battle Mountain, Wells and Wendover delivering dental care to underserved, uninsured children.

Safe Haven Rescue Zoo - Imlay

    $8,000 granted will fund building a pavilion and handicap-accessible restrooms for visitors. In 2012 they hosted 2,000 visitors and the need for facilities has become critical. 

Sierra Association of Foster Families - Reno

     $15,000 matching grant will support the expansion of the In-Home/After School Academic Tutoring Program. 100% of funds are used to pay tutors to go to the homes of foster parents, birth parents, emergency shelters, and hospitals to become the teacher, friend and mentor of kids in foster care. The program started four years ago with 5 tutors. It has expanded to 27 tutors and has reached approximately 1500 students. 
  

Veterans Guest House - Reno

     $5,000 will be matched to provide 400 guest nights lodging for veterans or their families as they are receiving care at the VA hospital. 

  Celebrate Diversity Awards School 

 Bully Free Efforts

The Celebrate Diversity Fund granted cash to three Washoe County Schools to reward their efforts at creating a bully-free atmosphere where kids feel safe and respected.