The Hillsdale County Community Foundation announced the winners of the 2018 “Love Your Community” grant program at a community reception on April 12. Five organizations received a combined $9,250 in grant funding through the program, which was founded to support those who have a vision to improve the community. The program was open to any applicant with an idea, a plan, and a desire to make their community a better place. The finalists’ projects promote community improvement, interaction, or engagement. Award winners were as follows:
- Hillsdale Community Schools, $2,500 for the Davis Closet program;
- Hillsdale County Great Start Collaborative, $2,500 for a Community Baby Shower;
- Community Action Agency, $2,000 for a Community Diaper Drive;
- Hillsdale County Senior Services Center, $1,500 for a Senior Prom; and
- Hillsdale Conservation District, $750 for a Spring Clean Event
For the first time in the four-year history of the program, there was a tie for the first place award. A large factor in the grant award decision-making was the support that each proposal received via Facebook likes recorded directly from the HCCF page during the voting period. Over 600 Facebook likes were received for the various projects. The HCCF also evaluated each proposal for feasibility, plan for execution, clear communication of goals and expected outcomes, and realistic budget.
Each of the program finalists were invited to prepare a display and presentation materials to be available during the reception. Attendees had the opportunity to speak with all the finalists and find out more information about their projects and goals. Hillsdale County Community Foundation representatives also provided a short presentation about the HCCF and the Love Your Community program before announcing grant award winners.
The Hillsdale County Community Foundation was established in 1991 as a community grant-making foundation, providing funding to organizations and institutions that have identified problems and designed constructive action programs aimed at solutions. A majority of the Foundation’s grant making is focused on the areas of youth, leadership, philanthropy and volunteerism. For more information about community grant making opportunities or other HCCF programs, please call 517-439-5101, stop by the office at 2 S. Howell St. in Hillsdale, or visit www.abouthccf.org.