Submitted by Centre Foundation
STATE COLLEGE — Members of Centre Foundation’s Giving Circle awarded grants to local nonprofits at their annual reception on Oct. 18 at Axemann Brewery. Centre Volunteers in Medicine, Out of the Cold: Centre County and State College Food Bank were finalists for the grants and presented their proposals as live pitches to the membership.
Each year, Giving Circle members pool their resources to create grants for local nonprofits. Thanks to a sustained increase in donor memberships, the Giving Circle was able to award a total of $23,000 this year, up from $15,000 five years ago.
Following the pitches, members cast their votes and Out of the Cold: Centre County was awarded the top grant of $11,000 for its permanent-shelter program.
Out of the Cold is a low-barrier shelter where guests are served a hot meal and given a cot, warm blankets and a place to sleep. Basic-needs case management is provided to guests at the organization’s day shelter for assistance in acquiring housing and other supportive services.
With the Giving Circle funding, Out of the Cold will renovate its 318 S. Atherton St. location to convert it into a permanent 24/7 shelter where 30 individuals can receive shelter, food and support services.
“Out of the Cold believes that shelter is a human right regardless of the choices an individual is making or has made,” said Kendra Gettig, interim executive director at Out of the Cold: Centre County. She explained that while 25 individuals are currently in the overnight shelter program, more than 30 individuals remain on the waiting list.
With this support, Out of the Cold will move closer to its goal of raising $400,000 for this project.
“We believe that the stability of one location will be life-changing for our guests,” said Gettig. “The generous funds provided through Centre Foundation’s Giving Circle will be used for the required building renovations.”
In addition to the first-prize grant, the runners-up each received a $4,000 grant.
State College Food Bank offers many programs that enhance food security for Centre County residents, with the ultimate goal of eliminating hunger in local communities.
Centre Volunteers in Medicine provides free medical and dental care, case management and medication assistance to uninsured residents of Centre County. Its Breast Health Program provides free early-detection screenings for breast cancer to those who qualify in Centre County.
Giving Circle members can increase their impact at the VIP level. For an additional $250, VIP members receive an extra vote during the reception to award a bonus grant to any of the three finalist organizations.
Votes for the bonus grant were tied between Out of the Cold: Centre County and State College Food Bank, so each organization received an additional $2,000 grant. By the end of the night, Out of the Cold received $13,000, the State College Food Bank received $6,000 and Centre Volunteers in Medicine received $4,000.
Since the establishment of the Giving Circle in 2006, members have distributed more than $220,000 in grants, supporting nonprofit organizations throughout Centre County.
Previous recipients of the Giving Circle grant include Jana Marie Foundation, Center for Alternatives in Community Justice, Centre Safe, ACRES Project, Interfaith Human Services, Park Forest Preschool and more.
For more information about the Giving Circle, including membership, visit Centre-Foundation.org or contact Kerry Tolton at kerry@centre-foundation.org or
(814) 237-6229.
