The Sweet Home Community Foundation kicked off its grant program with a check to help fund the purchase of ground cover and perennial flowers for the downtown median on Main Street.
A $500 check was presented to Alice Grovom and Bud Liberatore of the President’s Club and Master Gardeners, respectively, from Bob Burford, president of the Sweet Home Community Foundation.
The Sweet Home Community Foundation previously committed to provide matching funds up to $3,000 for the beautification project. The $500 will provide initial funds while the additional funds are being gathered through the matching grant program. This means that the foundation will match every dollar community members donate up to $3,000.
The purpose of the Sweet Home Community Foundation, a tax-exempt public benefit organization, is to receive and disburse funds to improve the quality of life in the greater Sweet Home community. The Sweet Home Economic Development Group (SHEDG) sponsored the establishment of the foundation, made the initial contributions and furnished funding for training and filing for 501 (C) 3 status with the Internal Revenue Service.
Funds are provided to a foundation through contributions in the form of tax-deductible donations, gifts, bequests and grants from individuals, businesses and other organizations. The Sweet Home Community Foundation is now in a position to accept donations to achieve its charitable objectives.
When the foundation is fully established, community grants will be available to a wide variety of groups and individuals. Donations can be made to the general endowment fund or to a particular project.
Present board members are President Burford, Vice President Rolf Anderson, Treasurer Max Thompson, Corporate Secretary John Wittwer, Recording Secretary Joanne West, Tim McQueary, Tom Johnson and Larry Johnson. Persons may contact any board member for more information.
Donations to the “Median Beautification Project” may be sent to the Sweet Hom Community Foundation, P.O. Box 447, Sweet Home OR 97386. Checks should be marked “Median Beautification” in the lower left corner. Donations must be received by mid-May to qualify for matching funds through the Sweet Home Community Foundation.