Columbia, MD - January 11, 2008 - The Columbia Foundation, Howard County’s community foundation, announces the granting of $191,500 to 31 local nonprofit organizations.

HUMAN SERVICE GRANTS

The fourteen human service grants total $101,500 and will help support groups addressing some of the more critical concerns of the community, including family issues, health care and housing.

Adaptive Living, Inc. - $1,500 to help maintain a supervised residential program for the developmentally disabled.

Alianza de la Comunidad - $5,000 to support their Basic Life Workshops for immigrant families.

Camp Attaway - $3,000 to support operations of their summer camp for children with severe emotional and behavioral problems.

Domestic Violence Center of Howard County, Inc. - $20,000 in support of programs for abused individuals and their families.

Family and Children’s Services - $10,000 to support general counseling services, including their part in the Healthy Families program and their In-Home and Caregiver services for the elderly and those with disabilities.

FISH of Howard County - $9,000 in emergency funding for food, rent, fuel, or medical assistance to individuals and families in need.

Foreign-born Information and Referral Network (FIRN) - $10,000 to provide a wide range of support services to the county’s growing immigrant population.

HCGH Healthy Families - $5,000 to support their “Healthy Families program linking new parents with resources to help them in raising and caring for their infants.

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) - $3,000 to help fund education, support and advocacy programs for those with mental illness and their families.

National Family Resilience Center - $10,000 in operational funds to support increased demand for services to families experiencing separation and divorce.

NeighborRide - $7,500 to support their operations in providing transportation for the older residents and those with disabilities.

The STTAR Center, Inc. - $2,500 to support crisis intervention and ongoing counseling for victims of sexual assault and trauma.

The Serenity Center - $10,000 to support operations of this center for 12-step recovery programs.

Voices for Children - $5,000 to their programs for abused and neglected children involved in the judicial system.


ARTS AND CULTURAL GRANTS

Thirteen arts and cultural organizations were awarded a total of $85,000.

Candlelight Concert Society, Inc. – $7,500 to continue presentations of exceptional chamber music in Howard County.

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company - $2,500 to support their fourth season of producing Shakespeare plays in Howard County.

Columbia Center for the Theatrical Arts - $5,000 to continue their theatrical training and other programs for young people.

Columbia Concert Band - $1,000 to support this all-volunteer musical group.

The Columbia Festival of the Arts - $25,000 to support this annual celebration of the arts in Columbia.

The Columbia Orchestra - $11,000 to provide local musicians and Howard County residents with a high quality, locally-based symphony orchestra.

Columbia Pro Cantare Chorus – $11,000 to continue their outstanding choral concerts.

Howard County Arts Council – $4,500 to foster community visual and performing artists and arts groups by providing studio space, galleries, classes and performances.

Howard County Ballet - $2,000 in support of their operations.

Howard Community College – Rep Stage - $5,000 to support the hiring of performers for their 2008 season.

Howard County Poetry and Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo) – $2,500 to promote excellence and public appreciation of poetry and literature through presentations by well-renowned poets and authors.

Kinetics Dance Theater -- $6,000 to support the operations of this local dance school.

Sundays at Three - $2,000 to support local chamber music artists and performances.

EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES GRANTS

The four grants in this category totaled $18,500.

Conexiones - $5,000 to support this organization dedicated to Hispanic student achievement.

Helping Hands Enrichment & Leadership Foundation - $5,000 to help promote the academic success of elementary school children through year -round academic and enrichment programs.

Howard County Foundation for Black Education and Cultural Achievement - $2,000 to provide college scholarship support for Howard County students.

Volunteer Center Serving Howard County - $6,500 to support the organization’s efforts to match volunteers with nonprofit groups.

Founded in 1969, the Foundation has awarded nearly $8 million in grants to Howard County nonprofit organizations delivering human service, arts and cultural, educational and civic programs. Money for the grant programs comes primarily from income generated by the Foundation’s endowment supported by over 170 funds established by Howard County businesses, families and individuals. For more information on The Columbia Foundation, visit www.columbiafoundation.org or call 410-730-7840.