Freeman Foundation announces 2014 grant opportunities for Sussex County nonprofits
The Carl M. Freeman Foundation announces the opening of grant opportunities for nonprofit organizations located in and serving Sussex County. Funding is available through the Freeman Assists Communities with Extra Support Grants Program, which targets small organizations with operating budgets of $500,000 or less, which are often overlooked by funders.
The FACES program uses a volunteer advisory board composed of citizens who live or work in Sussex County. Typically, these people are community and business leaders, activists, students, and nonprofit executives. Advisory board members evaluate the applications and recommend where funding should be awarded based on the needs and priorities of the community. The grant cycle will open Wednesday, Feb. 19, and applications are due by 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 19.
Grant guidelines and applications can be found at www.carlfreemanfoundation.org. As well, a Meet the Funder Workshop will take place from 4 to 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Georgetown Public Library in Georgetown. This workshop will focus on an overview of the FACES grant process as well as the E-Grant system, which is used during the FACES grant application process. Those with questions about the application process may contact Melissa Rizer, Carl M. Freeman Foundations grant manager, at 302-436-6310 or melissa@freemanfoundation.org. The winners will be announced in May.
“This is our 14th year of giving FACES grants in Sussex County,” said Patti Grimes, executive director of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation. “We’re so proud, particularly in such a difficult economic time, to be able to serve the most vulnerable organizations serving our community. We are committed to doing everything we can to help support and continue the vital work they do.”
Organizations that received FACES grants in 2013 include Cancer Support Community Delaware, Clothing Our Kids, CASA - Friends of Sussex, Girls on the Run of Delaware Inc., Howard T. Ennis School, New Hope Recreation and Development Center Inc., Rehoboth Beach Boys & Girls Club, Student Mentoring at John M. Clayton Elementary School, Sussex Tech Family Literacy Program, VSA Delaware, and West Side New Beginnings Inc.
The Carl M. Freeman Foundation has been involved in the Sussex County community since the Freeman Companies began developing Sea Colony in the 1960s. As the Freeman Companies developed the communities of Bayside and Bear Trap Dunes, the foundation expanded its outreach with the FACES program. In 2008, the foundation began supporting The Freeman Stage Series at Bayside, an open-air performing arts venue near Fenwick Island, which will open its seventh season this upcoming Memorial Day.
Go to www.carlfreemanfoundation.org for more information.
