(Le Mars) — Last evening, (Thursday) $121,000 was distributed to 21 different organizations, communities, and emergency personnel as part of the Community Foundation for Greater Plymouth County grant awards. Fire departments, ambulance services, police departments, legion clubs, area schools, and
extension services, and others, all benefited. Kelly Nashleanas serves as the chair for the foundation and explains the grant money is from gaming and casino revenue.
Foundation Board Members
Nashleanas says to be eligible for grants you must be a 501 (c)
organization, or go through a civic organization like a town or school. She says in the future the foundation may hold a workshop to help organizations with the criteria that is needed to qualify for grants.
She says those that received grants can be categorized as she refers to them as “feel good stories.”
There are a few organizations that have received grants multiple years.
Nashleanas explains it may be some of the same organizations that previously have received funding, but it is usually for a different purpose, or a continuation of the project.
Nashleanas says the maximum amount that can be given is $10,000 for a receiving organization. She says the foundation board members will often ask the organization if they can still perform their project if they would be given less than the amount of money requested.
The Community Foundation chair says each grant request is judged on its merits, and not determined whether or not the organization received funding in previous years.
Nashleanas says grant applications are due in mid-August. In early September, the foundation committee members are notified by the state as to how much money will be allocated to be distributed for area grants, and the awarding of said grants takes place in October.
Organizations Receiving Funding:
Merrill Legion $2,000 handicapped doors
Le Mars Fire Department $9,408 Thermal imaging camera
New Horizons Church $ 650 After school programs
Merrill Lions Club $7,000 Coats for children
St. Mary’s High School $10,000 Health and wellness
Hinton School $8,055 Classroom computers
Gehlen Catholic School $2,584 Environmental science class
City of Hinton $7,275 Handicapped doors
Beautification Babes $3,000 Trees along trails
Community Ministry $4,500 Backpack snacks MMCRU
City of Merrill $3,000 Handicapped restrooms
MMCRU School $1,375 Archery club
City of Remsen $7,072 Memorial Field fencing
Lucky Leprechauns $6,000 Boots for children
Life Skills Training Ctr. $8,875 Fire prevention system
Le Mars Police Department $6,000 Bulletproof vests
Le Mars Ambulance $6,540 AED cardiac machines
Kluckholn Elementary $4,350 STEM robotics
City of Kingsley $7,871 Security doors for pool
City of Kingsley $2,000 Freedom Rock Info Bd.
Plymouth Co. Extension $7,800 Robotic Blocks
Plymouth Co. Extension $1,000 Kingsley 4-H Project
Le Mars Grant Recipients
Remsen Grant Recipients
Merrill Grant Recipients
Kingsley Grant Recipients
Akron Grant Recipients
Hinton Grant Recipients
