News
$4.5 million in grants awarded for Access to Recreation
14 Midwest communities will provide universal recreation to residents
Grand Haven, Mich. – Fourteen community foundations in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio have been awarded $4.5 million in matching grants to enhance and expand recreational facilities into fully accessible opportunities for people of all abilities.The money is part of the $15 million Access to Recreation project that began last year in Michigan. The grants, announced today by the Midwest Community Foundation Ventures (MCFV) board of directors, encourage the foundations to work with local community partners on the projects.
The funded projects include accessible splash pads and playgrounds, fishing piers, sensory gardens and accessible nature trails with interpretative signage. Each has a goal of providing citizens of all abilities with opportunities to enjoy the many recreational activities and adventures available.
Recipients of the grants are:
• Illinois – Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, The DuPage Community Foundation, The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation and the Sangamon County Community Foundation.
• Indiana – Harrison County Community Foundation, Parke County Community Foundation, Whitley County Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, Community Foundation of St. Joseph County and Blue River Community Foundation.
• Ohio - The Dayton Foundation, The Tiffin Charitable Foundation, Pickaway County Community Foundation and Sandusky/Erie County Community Foundation.
These projects join eight in Michigan communities that received funding in 2006 and earlier this year. In addition to new and enhanced recreation opportunities, each community will develop and fund an Access to Recreation endowment to strengthen and expand their commitment to universal accessibility.
“When we began this initiative in Michigan, we expected the first communities to provide a road map for other Midwest states,” said Rob Collier, president of both MCFV and the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF). “We are thrilled that these community foundations in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio have joined this effort to achieve our collective goal of making accessible recreation available for all.”
The Access to Recreation project is funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and coordinated by the Midwest Community Foundations’ Ventures. It provides a combination of challenge grants, technical assistance and public education that results in recreation facilities that exceed current ADA standards. Additional project partners include the Michigan Recreation and Park Association Foundation (MRPA) and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
MCFV, a supporting organization of CMF, coordinates the collaborative activities of 135 community foundations operating in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio – nearly 16 percent of such foundations nationwide.
CMF is a membership association of more than 400 foundations and corporations making grants for charitable purposes, with a mission to strengthen, promote and increase philanthropy in Michigan. For more information on CMF and the work of Michigan foundations, visit www.michiganfoundations.org .
Additional information on Access to Recreation and the grant-winning community foundation projects may be found at www.accesstorecreation.org .
September 26, 2007