Pokagon Fund Hands Out Money for Projects
Pokagon Fund hands out money for projects
By H-P STAFF
Published: Thursday, January 29, 2009 1:09 PM EST
NEW BUFFALO – The Pokagon Fund’s board has granted $183,301 for new projects ranging from scouting to sports programs.
Getting grants in the December-January funding round are:
– St. Mary of the Lake School and New Buffalo Area Schools, $8,965 for the Girls on the Run Program, a national program aimed at building confidence in girls in third through fifth grade. It’s a 12-week course and they train for a 3.1-mile competitive run in May.
– LaSalle Council of Boy Scouts of America, $6,600 for an after-school scouting program.
– Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce, $4,500 to underwrite formation of a strategic plan.
– New Buffalo Sports Inc., $7,750 to support its 2009 season and an unsolicited grant of $500 to provide scholarships for youths whose families find it hard to pay registration fees.
– New Buffalo Township, $3,500 for additional work on amending its master plan.
The fund is also continuing to loan New Buffalo Township $136,486 to pay for police protection in January, February and March. The fund has supported the township’s police force since January 2008, and the loan will be paid back with proceeds from the Local Revenue Sharing Board when those funds are released.
The fund is also taking steps to ensure that organizations that get grants can deliver services. Executive Director Mary Dunbar said the fund is entering a $15,000 agreement with Executive Service Corp. of Chicago toward that end.
“We want very much to see our grantees succeed in delivering their programs and their mission.” Dunbar said.
Executive Service Corps will survey all organizations getting grants to assess strengths and any weaknesses, then hold workshops on any areas that need help. Workshops could include such topics as board development, finance, fund raising, and marketing.
The Pokagon Fund began funding grant proposals in November 2007, and since that time has provided over $3.4 million in funding. Grant funding supports initiatives in the fields of health, human services, art, education, recreation, and environment.
The fund supports municipalities and non-profit groups in New Buffalo, Chikaming, and Three Oaks townships, and in and around Pokagon Band land trusts in Dowagiac, Hartford and North Liberty, Ind. The fund is a private foundation supported by 2 percent of electronic gaming revenue from the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo Township.
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