Doylestown, PA (July 5, 2011) – The Foundations Board of Directors today announced they will award a total of $160,000 in grants to Bucks County non-profit organizations through ten Bucks County Innovation and Improvement Grants (BIIG) and six Capital Improvement Grants. This most recent cycle of giving puts Foundations over the 1 million dollar threshold in providing targeted community support.

Formed in 2007, Foundations Community Partnership is a philanthropic grant-making foundation supporting the behavioral health and human service needs of children and young adults in Bucks County.

“It has been the focus of our Board to support Bucks County non-profits that provide essential services to special needs youth in our community,” says Ron Bernstein, Executive Director of Foundations. “With our latest round of grants, we have reached a milestone – over $1,000,000 of support funneled back into the community.”

Foundations’ Bucks Innovation and Improvement Grants (BIIG) are awarded to non-profit organizations that focus on behavioral health and human service needs of children, youth and families in Bucks County. Capital Improvement Grants are awarded to support capital campaigns including structural improvements to the facility (bricks & mortar, such as new buildings or addition to existing buildings), or extensive renovation or addition of durable equipment to an existing structure.

Receiving BIIG awards in the amount of $10,000 each are:

Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education in Chalfont will use the grant to support their Wildlife Summer Camp and School Education program, which works with disadvantaged & special needs youth to help develop their compassion, improved self confidence and self-esteem.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Bucks County in Jamison will provide increased services, including mentoring to Latino children throughout Bucks County.

Bucks County Family YMCA in Doylestown will expand their afterschool program for special needs youth.

Bucks County Habitat for Humanity in Chalfont will provide training to applicants and existing partners in Bucks County.

Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership in Langhorne will increase their assessment of families with chronically ill parents and referral for children for medical and social services.

Central Bucks High School West in Doylestown will implement a stress reduction program for all students in collaboration with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, with a focus on special needs students.

Community Conservatory in Doylestown will extend support of their summer camp and music education program for high-risk communities.

Just Community Inc. in Quakertown will extend the Alcoholedu high school program to 9th graders and more school districts in Upper Bucks.

Miracle League of Northampton Township will use the grant for their special needs sports program.

YWCA of Bucks County in Feasterville will extend their summer enrichment program for at-risk children.

Capital Grants totaling $60,000 will be awarded to:

Bucks County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Newtown for a low vision clinic in upper Bucks County for special needs population.

Bucks County Children’s Museum in Doylestown for the design of hands-on exhibits for children at all developmental levels, including special needs.

Bucks County Workforce Investment Board in Bristol will renovate the site for relocation of current youth program for high-risk youth.

Central Bucks High School West Garden Learning Center in Doylestown will provide a “high tunnel” greenhouse for special needs and other students to learn vocational, business and social skills.

Children’s Developmental Program of Bucks County in Quakertown to upgrade the computer system to provide educational opportunities to classrooms serving special needs/behavioral health students.

St Mary’s Hospital/Foundation in Langhorne to provide increased pediatric emergency room services.

“With the support of Foundations Community Partnership, we will be able to achieve our long-awaited goal: to open a low vision clinic serving children, youth and adults experiencing low vision in Upper Bucks County,” says Anne Marie Spinden, Executive Director, Bucks County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. “We will be able to help more people prepare for and manage their vision loss, maintain hope, and regain their independence.”

Foundations Community Partnership (www.fcpartnership.org) provides grants and technical assistance to non-profit organizations, awards scholarships to Bucks County high school seniors, subsidizes service learning internships for college students, underwrites community education programs and supports behavioral health education and research.

 

Contact: Beth Brody, 609-397-3737, Beth@BrodyPR.com