Community Foundation Grants $129,901 to Local Nonprofits

The Community Foundation of Washington County MD, Inc. awarded its 2023 responsive grants, totaling $129,901, to twenty one local non-profit organizations. A check presentation ceremony showcasing each organization was held Thursday, March 16th at the Washington County Free Library.

The Community Foundation’s grants committee chose to fund Washington County nonprofits and programs focused on the development of a stronger community through programs addressing family stability, including all stages of life, financial literacy, employment, mental health, and basic needs. Examples include youth development with a focus on mentoring, school readiness, and advocacy; arts, recreation, and education opportunities for our youth and the underserved.

Resources for the responsive grants come from the growth and earnings of established community funds at the Community Foundation as well as a partnership with the Pauline Anderson Foundation. The following programs received funding.

• American Red Cross of Greater Shenandoah Valley: $5,000 to further increase family stability through their home fire campaign in Washington County.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County: $5,000 to support their Little Leadership Academy Group Mentoring Program.

• Boys & Girls Club of Washington County: $10,000 to continue supporting academic success for boys and girls within their many programs.

• Brook Lane Behavioral Services, Inc.: $9,277 to fund the installation of new school lockers in their on-campus Laurel Hall.

• Children In Need: $6,000 to further support their monthly client visits and extended services.

• Community Free Clinic, Inc.: $10,000 to continue supporting mental health care for community individuals.

• Community Mediation Maryland – Mediation First: $7,500 to support their child access mediation and family court partnership programming.

• Fort Ritchie Community Center: $1,500 to further develop their teen center.

• Gatekeepers: $5,000 to support their Business of Living (BOL) program which assists sensible re-entry into the community after the criminal justice system.

• Girls Inc. of Washington County: $5,000 to support their Leaps and Beats program.

• Horizon Goodwill Industries: $15,000 to fund their Adolescent Clubhouse.

• The Interfaith Service Coalition of Hancock, MD, Inc.: $5,000 to keep a senior safe and warm.

• Leveling the Playing Field: $4,000 to support their pop-up sports equipment distributions.

• Literacy Council of Washington County, Inc.: $5,300 to purchase materials used to tutor.

• Potomac Case Management Services, Inc.: $7,000 to support their Youth Diversion program.

• Reach of Washington County: $10,000 to fund their cold weather shelter case management’s Rapid Rehousing program.

• Sleep in Heavenly Peace, MD – Hagerstown Chapter: $5,000 to fund the purchase of mattresses and other materials preventing any kid from sleeping on the floor.

• The Salvation Army Hagerstown: $6,000 for their Music for the Mind, Body and Soul program.

• Washington County Commission on Aging, Inc.: $5,000 to support their Aging in Place programming.

• Washington County Historical Society: $2,400 to fund their Travel Trunk educational program.

• Women’s Club Foundation, Inc.: $924 to purchase a new electric stove for their tenant kitchen.