Eleven community organizations will share $61,350 as part of Connect Clermont’s mission to advance the Agenda for the Future of Clermont County. The awards are a result of Connect Clermont’s first-ever grant session in the Spring of this year. This is the first of two grant cycles planned for 2019. Connect Clermont is currently accepting applications for its Fall 2019 community development grants.
This Spring, Connect Clermont invited organizations in the county to apply for community development initiative grants, and the community demonstrated strong interest, with 48 applications for grants submitted.
Funding for the grants came from Duke Energy Foundation’s three-year commitment to help implement Connect Clermont’s strategic plan. Other companies such as Park National Bank and Vistra Energy have stepped up to assist.
“These grants will enable organizations in our community to move forward with projects that support the goals identified through the Agenda for the Future,” said Bob Pautke, Connect Clermont Board Chair. “The Agenda was the product of the efforts of more than 500 volunteers who shared their vision for the future of the county. Duke’s generosity provides the seed money needed to fund and support these organizations to make their initiatives a reality. When fully implemented, the 11 chosen projects will help advance lifelong learning, connect individuals with jobs, promote healthy choices and enhance the overall quality of life in Clermont County.”
Recipients of the grants are:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Clermont County: $5,000 to support the GRADUATE program that focuses on academic and career success in its after-school based programming;
Cardinal Land Conservancy: $6,850 to help promote programs and events to ensure there are more preserved and protected areas in Clermont County that can be enjoyed by current and future generations;
Goshen Local Schools: $7,500 to purchase start-up equipment for a credentialing center that would support local students and adults in obtaining necessary job training and certifications in programs like Microsoft, Adobe, etc.;
HOPE Community Center: $5,000 to purchase computers for their peer-based social support program that offers education, job-search, housing-search, or career advancement help for those recovering from mental health or substance use issues;
KliCWOW!: $7,500 to support early childhood learning through distribution of educational tablets and early literacy materials along with parental education and support;
Literacy Council of Clermont County: $2,000 to support adult literacy training and tutoring programs, including preparing adults to model literacy to their families;
Milford Schools Foundation: $7,500 to support the introduction of basic life skills training for high school juniors through Project Life Skills: Adulting 101;
New Leaf Kitchen: $5,000 to conduct “Our Community Cooks with Care” program, which connects families with healthy edible experiences across Clermont County;
Success By Six: $7,500 to help promote early learning and kindergarten readiness in Clermont County;
Village of Moscow: $5,000 to help purchase new equipment for the community fitness center used by residents of Moscow and the surrounding area (Much of their equipment was damaged and not replaced after the tornadoes of 2012.); and
Village of Williamsburg: $2,500 to support digital accessibility and necessary upgrades to the Village website via the Mobile Williamsburg program.
Applications were judged primarily based on their correlation to the Agenda themes of Jobs, Education, Health and Vibrancy. Impact, sustainability, and measurable outcomes were also considered in the selection process, which included an objective scoring system modeled after the one used by the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
The Fall 2019 Grant Session opened on September 15. Grant applications and instructions are available on the Connect Clermont website at https://connectclermont.com. The deadline for Fall grant requests is October 15.
For more information visit https://connectclermont.com or email info@connectclermont.com.
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