Central Pa. Community Foundation distributes grants

The Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation distributed $23,657.20 in grants to 23 nonprofit organizations, serving Blair County, on July 14.

In a ceremony held at the Trolleyworks at Amtran, representatives from each organization were presented with their grant awards by members of the CPCF Board of Directors and Grants Committee.

Each year, the CPCF accepts project proposals from eligible organizations requesting funding via its competitive grants process. Each applicant must be located in or serve Blair County. Additionally, only 501(c)(3) organizations that meet one of the following criteria are eligible for funding:

1. Promote scientific research for the advancement of knowledge.

2. Support art, music, and culture of all kinds.

3. Provide scholarships or otherwise assist deserving persons in obtaining an education.

4. Assist the improvement of living and working conditions for the health and welfare of the community.

5. Provide facilities for public recreation.

6. Provide funds to assist in the delivery of medical services.

"We are so blessed to have many charitable organizations that play such a vital role in the well-being of our community. Although we could not fund all of the applications we received, today is an exciting day to be able to award 23 grants," said Jodi Cessna, CPCF executive director.

The CPCF began its competitive grants process in 2000. Since then, it has distributed more than $970,000 to 120 local nonprofit organizations.

The 2021 Grant Award Recipients include:

n Altoona Chapter of National Ambucs -- To provide free Amtrykes to people with mobility and independence challenges.

n The Arc of Blair County -- To purchase ukuleles and begin lessons for people with disabilities with the objective of beginning a group that performs at no cost throughout the community.

n Bellwood-Antis Public Library -- To present a second session of Zen Art, a weeklong art camp that teaches mindfulness and meditation techniques via art activities to children and teens ages 10 to 14.

n Big Brothers Big Sisters of Blair County -- To continue its expansion efforts at the Claysburg-Kimmel School District by matching high school mentors with middle school students in need of youth mentoring.

n Blair Concert Chorale -- To enable the BCC to continue to offer the Children's Choir as an educational and music development program for children ages 6 through high school.

n Blair County Arts Foundation -- To support Family Theatre at the Mishler Theatre by helping to maintain affordable ticket pricing.

n Blair County Chamber of Commerce Foundation -- To support the Leadership Blair County Youth program, which cultivates the service and leadership potential of Blair County high school students.

n Blair County Community Action Agency -- To purchase food for Altoona Area School District elementary students in need of supplemental food over weekends/holidays during the school year.

n Blair Regional YMCA -- To provide an alternative family activity that involves music, art, resources, food and fun for all ages that is affordable and safe.

n Central Blair County Parks and Recreation Commission -- To replace the existing batting cage nets and Lscreens at Veterans Memorial Field.

n The Door -- To provide 20 financially needy "at-risk" teens with a reduced summer camp registration fees, which come with a community or camp service requirement.

n Foundation For Free Enterprise Education -- To sponsor two Blair County high school students to participate in PA Free Enterprise Week, an award-winning weeklong summer business education program.

n Geeseytown Community Fire Company -- To purchase new batteries for its portable radios.

n Lakemont Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 -- To replace aging, worn and damaged helmets used by the firefighters.

n Make-A-Wish: Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia -- To support the wish expenses of an Altoona child with a life-threatening medical condition.

n Morrisons Cove Memorial Park -- To remove the deteriorating brick and install new pavers to improve the main walkway from Walnut Street to the front entrance of the community library.

n PennMont Academy -- To support project "PEACE puzzle," which promotes understanding and acceptance of diversity through collaborative artistic expression in celebration of International Day of Peace.

n Roaring Spring Community Library -- To provide a safe and secure environment to library staff and patrons by installing security equipment.

n Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art -- To provide scholarships for students wishing to attend summer art camp.

n Tyrone-Snyder Public Library -- To provide the children of the community with the opportunity to continue their learning in a fun way at summer camp.

n Victory Therapeutic Horsemanship -- To add and/or replace critical first aid items to its emergency supplies.

n Young Life -- To offer financial support to students interested in participating in the camping program, who need some financial assistance.

n Young Readers of Blair County -- To provide a school-based assembly program to approximately 1,150, second-grade students, which includes a personalized book for each child.

The Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation (CPCF) manages charitable giving by helping donors achieve their goals, while maximizing the impact of each gift.

The CPCF manages more than 275 funds created by generous community members and corporations interested in improving the quality of life and creating opportunities for Central Pennsylvania residents.

With $28.7 million in assets under current management and administration and $20 million distributed in awards, the foundation has effectively managed $48.7 million since 1995. Since inception, the CPCF has distributed grants to more than 750 organizations through its competitive grants process, donor-advised funds and other funding streams. In addition to grants, the organization has provided more than 1,500 scholarships to deserving students.

For more information, visit www.centralpagives.org.