Over $700,000 in grants awarded to local nonprofits

Coastal Bend Community Foundation presented grant checks totaling more than $700,000 to area nonprofits Thursday, Sept. 5, through the Foundation’s 2013 Annual Grant cycle.

Among the recipients was the Ark Assessment Center who received $5,000 to care or children removed for their homes because abuse or neglect. Also receiving $5,000 was Corpus Christi Hope House, Inc. to provide shelter to homeless women and children. The Cathedral Concert Series received $10,000.00 to fund the annual Cathedral Holiday Spectacular.

Grants were made to 111 nonprofit agencies for programs and services in the Foundation’s seven county area – Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio Counties. Awards were granted to a diverse number of requests ranging from support of career awareness and after school educational programs for at risk and underrepresented youth to health, utility and food services for the elderly, as well as provisions to support environmental education and family experiences such as “Dollar Day” at the Texas State Aquarium and the interpretive trunks and family daypacks program for the Goose Island, Mustang Island and Lake Corpus Christi State Parks. The Foundation’s core areas of funding include the arts, education, environment, family, human and medical services, and public good.

“Coastal Bend Community Foundation is pleased to partner with these nonprofits to enhance and improve our community,” Karen Selim, President & CEO of the Foundation said. “These grants will provide needed services to our area youth and elderly, as well as providing innovative and diverse programs in education, arts and the environment.”

Bill Whitworth, Chair of the Foundation’s Grants Committee said “The committee was happy to see grants submitted to serve some unique needs in each county, as well as many projects that will benefit the entire Coastal Bend region. Although it is always difficult to turn down an applicant, we are pleased to have been able to make so many awards this year, reflecting the generosity of our Coastal Bend community donors.”

Since its inception in 1981, over $72 million in grants and scholarships have been made to the non-profits and students of the Coastal Bend by the Foundation. In addition to its annual grants, Coastal Bend Community Foundation has been instrumental in the Coastal Bend Day of Giving. Now in its fifth year, this one-day, annual event has raised nearly $2.6 million for local charities sheltering and feeding the home