Centre Foundation is bringing back a grant program that in the past helped launch several innovative projects that have become staples of the local community.
Centre Inspires will award up to $100,000 through a competitive grant program to “a visionary project that demonstrates innovation, collaboration and broad community benefit,” according to the foundation.
Introduced in 2014, Centre Inspires awarded more than $500,000 to project’s in Centre County until 2020, when it was paused amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now Centre Foundation is reviving the program as part of its 45th anniversary celebration. Funding will support new projects or significant expansions of existing efforts.
“Centre Inspires was created to encourage organizations to dream bigger, collaborate in unexpected ways, and bring transformational ideas to life,” David Lieb, executive director of Centre Foundation said in a statement. “As we celebrate 45 years of community impact, there could not be a more fitting time to relaunch a program that has helped spark some of the most creative and community-centered initiatives in Centre County. We are incredibly excited to see what bold ideas emerge next.”
In previous years, Centre Inspires provided funding that helped establish lasting initiatives such as Good Day Café, the community coffee shop and workforce development initiative that provides meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and The Rivet, Discovery Space’s makerspace and innovation hub that provides tools, resources and educational opportunities for entrepreneurs, artists, students, and community members.
It also has funded the public arts and literacy initiative Book Benches of Centre County; the ACRES Project Greenhouse, supporting food access, vocational opportunities, sustainability education and community engagement; ClearWater Conservancy’s Centred Outdoors nature exploration program; and Food Centres’ community-based efforts focused on improving local food access and distribution and nutrition education for individuals experiencing food insecurity.
Relaunching Centre Inspires ideas is an opportunity to again move forward ideas that might not otherwise happen through traditional grants, said Nathaniel Rasmussen, Centre Foundation’s community impact director, said.
“Centre Inspires challenges organizations to think beyond their usual boundaries and imagine what is possible when creativity, collaboration, and community vision come together,” said Rasmussen said in a statement. “Projects funded through this program have become defining community assets. We’re excited to help ignite the next generation of ideas that can inspire, connect, and strengthen Centre County in new ways.”
Eligible applicants include qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, governmental units and agencies and unincorporated groups applying through a qualified fiscal sponsor.
Centre Foundation encourages nonprofit organizations, municipalities, schools, community groups and collaborative partnerships in Centre County to apply with ideas that “address local needs, strengthen community connections and inspire new possibilities for the future.”
“Proposed projects must take place in Centre County, encourage residents to become more engaged in their community and demonstrate measurable impact,” the foundation wrote in a release. “Priority consideration will be given to highly visible, collaborative projects that serve a broad segment of the community.”
Applicants can now submit a letter of intent with a brief overview of their idea, its potential community impact and how funding would help bring it to life through Centre Foundation’s online application portal at centrefoundation.org/grants/for-nonprofits by July 9. Those selected to advance will be invited to submit a full application.
Organizations interested in learning more about the opportunity can attend Centre Foundation’s Competitive Grants Webinar at noon on June 23 The webinar will feature information about several Centre Foundation grant programs, and prospective applicants will have the opportunity to learn more about Centre Inspires, review eligibility requirements and ask questions during a dedicated Centre Inspires information session.
For more information, contact Nathaniel Rasmussen at (814) 237-6229.
