Funds for Greater Green Bay awards $155,000 in grants
May 1, 2018 – The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation has awarded more than $155,000 to 19 Green Bay area nonprofit organizations through the Funds for Greater Green Bay grant program.
The Funds for Greater Green Bay are a collection of funds at the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. The corresponding grant program funds measurable strategies to make a positive impact on the quality of life and create a better future for residents of our community.
In addition to the Funds for Greater Green Bay endowed funds, other donors are invited to co-invest in vetted programs. In this cycle, donors contributed more than $60,000 toward programs creating even greater impact.
Grants are awarded based on a competitive application process which includes review by a grants team of community volunteers. Two grant cycles are offered annually for the Funds for Greater Green Bay. The next deadline for applications will be July 1, 2018.
The Winter 2018 grants were awarded to the following organizations and programs:
Baird Creek Preservation Foundation, Education in Nature
To continue to provide free science-based education to about 1,000 people per year the program needs to align with school curriculum and become sustainable. This grant supports a 3-year plan to fully develop a year-round, sustainable program for students and the public.
Bellin Health Foundation, Brown County Population Health Collaborative
The collaborative is composed of local organizations that serve people with disabilities who are enrolled in Wisconsin’s Medicaid long-term care programs. Funding would support rollout of a community care pilot program to all members in Brown County. The rollout will include establishing use of electronic sharing of information, developing and using training videos for community care teams, identifying clinical areas for community-wide focus and measuring community care team engagement and performance.
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Green Bay, Youth Arts Initiative
Low-income youth have less access to high-quality arts education, while research shows those who participate are more likely to succeed in many development areas. Funding would support continuation of high-quality arts education programming for low-income children in greater Green Bay.
Bridge the Gap, Social Skills/Daily Living Skills Summer Camp
Bridge the Gap serves youth in rural settings with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Funding would allow youth from Brown or Oconto counties to attend Social Skills/Daily Living Skills Summer Camp to build skills of friendship, rule following, daily living and appropriate public behaviors.
Freedom House Ministries, Required Programming
Freedom House requires residents to participate in personal financial management and positive parenting programming. Funding would support an update, including designing an individualized financial plan for credit rehabilitation, adding consumer education and healthy relationship modules and transferring programming to an online format that can accommodate residents working second and third shifts.
Golden House, Domestic Violence Youth Program
Each year Golden House serves more than 250 youth who have been exposed to domestic violence. Funding will allow a dedicated Youth Advocate to provide safety planning, advocacy and support for ages 5-17 while their families are accessing shelter, intervention and advocacy services.
Goodwill Industries of North Central WI, Neighborhood Partners
Funding will support a community approach to building social connections and reducing the risk of isolation for older adults in the village of Denmark. Work will include asset inventory, engagement activities, incentives and connections.
Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity, Home Repair Program-Training and Development
Through the new Home Repair Program, Habitat assists low- to moderate-income homeowners with basic repairs. Funds will provide staff training in lead paint removal and market the program to homeowners.
Hands On Deck, Cut and Run Boat Building and Rowing Program
At-risk youth ages 10 to 14 will participate in a wooden boat building project and community rowing experience one on one with trained and matched mentors. Funds will support construction of two boats with equipment, training and consultation.
House of Hope, Ending Child Homelessness
With additional shelter and programming available to address pregnant and parenting homeless women ages 18-24 on a waiting list, a grant will allow House of Hope to add case managers and program supplies.
Howe Community Resource Center, Family Engagement/Advocacy
A Support Advocate Program assists parents and families with communication, understanding information and community resource connections. Funding will be used to hire, train and retain staff, purchase program supplies, support construction and provide continued advocacy training.
Junior Achievement of WI – Brown County, Building Financial Literacy in Today’s Youth
Funding will provide financial literacy, work-readiness and entrepreneurship programs to the elementary, middle and high school students of Brown and Oconto counties. The grade-level appropriate, research-based K-12 curriculum is provided at no cost to schools or students.
Kewaunee Health and Fitness, Aging Mastery Program
The program aims to help baby boomers and older adults improve their well-being, add stability to their lives and strengthen ties to the community. The 10-week program developed by the National Council on Aging addresses physical, financial and emotional wellness to impact changes to behavior.
Literacy Green Bay, Summer Transition Classes
Funding would align the English Language Acquisition classes with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s basic education programming to provide a new, coordinated and seamless transition for students. Funding will support additional instructional hours, updated textbooks and additional training.
Prevent Blindness Wisconsin, Head Start Vision Health Program
In partnership with Green Bay Area Public Schools, the program ensures low-income children enrolled in Head Start receive a vision screening and referral. Access is improved through vision education, resources, and follow-up support. Head Start promotes school readiness in birth to 5 from low-income families.
Service League of Green Bay, Service League
The Back-to-School Store is a one-day event that provides all the supplies needed to start a child’s new school year to low-income children and families in Brown County. Funding will provide supplies for the Store.
Suring Lions Foundation, Home Care Equipment Expansion
The Suring Lions offer a home medical equipment loan project, currently using donated equipment. To better meet the needs of residents, the club will acquire high-demand equipment and obtain storage space for the project.
UW-Extension Brown County, Family Living Program
A new poverty simulation kit is needed to meet increased demand. Simulations give human service professionals, teachers and college students a better understanding of the challenges faced by those living in a typical low-income household and work more effectively with these residents.
WI Waterfowl Association, Abrams Long Term Project
Funding will complete the installation of two disabled-accessible hunting blinds and their entry ramps, giving those with disabilities the opportunity to experience the outdoors. Work would include removing invasive fish species to improve the forage base for migratory birds and preparing for a controlled burn.