The Seeds of Strength Founders Grant, established in 2024, honors all our founders by awarding a special grant each December. The grant is funded by donations separate from our membership donations. We hope to be able to give at least a $5000 grant each year.
The Founders Grant idea was developed by the Board of Directors as they discussed ways to honor Barbara Brightwell when she passed away in the summer of 2023. An ad hoc committee was created and asked to develop a plan. The board adopted the plan as submitted by the committee.
Highlights of the Founders Grant plan:
- The Founders Grant is established to honor the Seeds of Strength Founders and Charter Members who created the mission, vision, core values, and operations of the Seeds of Strength Giving Circle in January 2010.
- The Founders Grant exemplifies the Seeds of Strength mission.
- An annual Founders Grant of $5,000 is awarded in December of each calendar year beginning December 2024. The annual award is dependent upon availability of funds.
- A separate designated financial account is established to receive, manage, and distribute Founders Grant funds.
- Potential candidates are drawn from the most recently concluded Seeds of Strength grant applicant pool.
- A Founders Grant Committee identifies a grant applicant organization that:
- Can use funds to make an immediate, tangible impact to its clients;
- Was new to the Seeds of Strength grant process or a previously qualified applicant, but not funded;
- Is a small but maturing nonprofit organization;
- Can responsibly execute the grant within the calendar year following the December award.
- The Founders Grant Committee consists of the Past Year Grants Chair, Treasurer, Current President, Past President, and Past Year Compliance Chair.
If you would like to contribute to the Founders Grant, please designate “Founders Grant Fund” when you submit your donation.