Community Foundation Announces Forward Funding Challenge Winner

The Community Foundation of Washington County MD announces the Junior Firefighter Program as the winner of the Forward Funding Challenge event that took place Monday, February 27. The Junior Firefighters will use their grant of $3,000 to purchase a commercial cotton candy machine and supplies to sell cotton candy at local events. This will not only help increase their fundraising efforts, but will teach the Junior Firefighters job skills, leadership and responsibility.The Forward Funding Challenge was a new initiative created to encourage local nonprofit organizations to develop innovative and ongoing fundraising efforts. The Community Foundation received 15 applications for the Challenge. A selection committee within the Foundation choose three finalists, who presented their ideas at the live event on February 27. A panel of judges consisting of the most recent Rising Star Award recipients selected a winner similar to the hit ABC TV Show Shark Tank. Judges included Kelsi Waltemire Palmer, Heather Guessford and Dr. Brenna Bacon Ranieli.Other finalists included Kodiaks Sled Hockey Team and the Women’s Club of Hagerstown.The Kodiaks Sled Hockey Team wanted funding for an exhibition game with the USA Warriors Sled Hockey Team at the Hagerstown ice rink. At this event, they also planned to have raffles, an auction and a “Sled-a-Thon.” The Women's Club hoped to increase their rental income by adding Wi-Fi, data access, a screen and projector to the first floor of their building in order to become more competitive with other venues that offer rental space to businesses, organizations and individuals for their meetings and social events.