Help these nonprofits get grant awards through Gannett crowdfunding program
Organizations looking to better their communities are now fundraising until Aug. 12 as a part of the Gannett Foundation’s A Community Thrives crowdfunding and grant program. More than 700 organizations have applied for the $2 million initiative in hopes of implementing community-building ideas.
In Louisville, those groups are Cedar Lake Foundation, Critically Loved, Dream Factory Inc., Kentucky and Southern Indiana Stroke Association, SOS International Inc., The Community Mental Health Fund and Zora's Cradle LLC.
Two other Kentucky groups that applied include the Logan County Humane Society Inc., based in Russellville, and the Samaritan Car Clinic Inc. in Covington.
The nonprofit organizations have one month to raise money through the online platform Mightycause to reach a minimum of $3,000 or $6,000, depending on the group’s operating budget, in order to qualify as a grant recipient.
Through the site, users can donate to an organization of their choice by filtering the cause type, location and category. Donors have the opportunity to help these organizations advance their safe spaces for teens with cancer,expand no-kill animal sanctuaries,improve musical training programsand more.
“A Community Thrives has been an excellent way for Gannett to leverage its platforms to raise attention and funds for participating nonprofit organizations," said Sue Madden, director of the Gannett Foundation. "Over the past five years, the program has contributed more than $17 million to community building projects and local operating expenses of service organizations across the country.”
A Community Thrives:Louisville nonprofits can receive grants from Gannett Foundation
The organizations will get to keep the money they raise, but top projects also will qualify for additional grants to support their change-making ideas. Top fundraisers will receive a total of $200,000 in grants and all eligible organizations will qualify for consideration of the National Project and Local Operating grants.
Last year, Louisville nonprofit Whitney/Strong received $50,000 as a national merit grant recipient through the program. The organization focuses on reducing gun violence in the city by promoting responsible gun ownership.
Whitney Austin co-founded the nonprofit after surviving a mass shooting at the Fifth Third Center in Cincinnati in September 2018, where the Louisville native was shot 12 times.
Austin told The Courier Journal in 2021 that Whitney/Strong is not just about reducing the type of gun violence that happened to her, but all types of gun violence, as "gun violence is traumatic and difficult for everyone, regardless of what kind."
With the help of A Community Thrives program, nonprofits are able to bring community improvement ideas to life.
In addition to funding, A Community Thrives raises the visibility of participating organizations with national and local media coverage and exposes the organizations’ missions to new potential donors.
2021 grant recipients:New Jersey urban farm project, refugee organization in Ohio among 2021 Gannett Foundation's A Community Thrives winners
“This is a national program with equal opportunity for small and nascent organizations and well-established organizations alike. Building community through connections and helping communities thrive are key program drivers,” Madden said.
Here's information on the Louisville area organizations:
Cedar Lake Foundation
Cedar Lake's mission is to offer highly compassionate, capable care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they may experience a life of abundant possibilities.
Donate at this link: Cedar Lake Foundation Inc | A Community Thrives (mightycause.com)
Critically Loved
Critically Loved exists to provide guidance and hope to families with critically and chronically ill children.
Donate here: Critically Loved | A Community Thrives (mightycause.com)
Dream Factory Inc.
The Dream Factory grants dreams to critically and chronically ill children from the ages of 3 through 18.
Donate here: Dream Factory Inc | A Community Thrives (mightycause.com)
Kentucky and Southern Indiana Stroke Association
The Kentuckiana Stroke Association is dedicated to the prevention of stroke through education and awareness.
Donate here: Kentucky and Southern Indiana Stroke Association | A Community Thrives (mightycause.com)
SOS International Inc.
SOS is a global health non-profit that meets critical health care needs in medically impoverished communities around the world by collecting and distributing surplus medical supplies and equipment.
Donate here: SOS International Inc | A Community Thrives (mightycause.com)
The Community Mental Health Fund
The Community Mental Health Fund works to promote healthy and meaningful lives.
Donate here: Kentucky Psychological Foundation | A Community Thrives (mightycause.com)
Zora's Cradle
Zora’s Cradle addresses the gaps in maternity health services that discriminate against individuals from lower socio-economic demographics in Kentucky and result in higher maternal and child mortality rates, by providing access to financial and health supports pre and post pregnancy.
Donate here: Zoras Cradle Llc | A Community Thrives (mightycause.com)
Logan County Humane Society Inc.
The Logan County Humane Society works to provide for the effective care and control of the animals of Logan County.
Donate here: Logan County Humane Society Inc | A Community Thrives (mightycause.com)
Samaritan Car Clinic Inc.
Samaritan Car Clinic addresses transportation barriers to economic self-sufficiency.
Donate here: Samaritan Car Clinic Inc | A Community Thrives (mightycause.com)
To learn about the 2022 A Community Thrives participating organizations and to make donations, visit acommunitythrives.mightycause.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Gannett A Community Thrives program: How to donate
