Columbia, MD - June 10, 2008 - The Columbia Foundation, Howard County’s community foundation, announces the granting of $100,000 in project grants to 16 local charitable organizations.

HUMAN SERVICE GRANTS

The 10 human service grants total $66,800 and will help support groups addressing some of the more critical concerns of the community.

Baltimore Area Council, Boy Scouts of America - $2,500 towards a “Learning for Life” after-school program in Oakland Mills and Long Reach.

Best Buddies Maryland - $7,500 to support the Howard County Middle and High School Project which will pair students with intellectual disabilities with non-disabled students for one-on-one relationships.

Center for Adoption Support and Education - $2,500 to expand their partnership with the Howard County Department of Social Services’ Adoption Promotion Program to work with 6-8 additional families who have mental health needs.

Community Action Council of Howard County - $4,500 for equipment needed to allow a “customer choice approach” at their Food Bank Pantry service.

Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center - $15,000 to support their renovation and expansion project at their Freetown Road location.

HC Drug Free - $6,500 to support the production and mailing of three issues of their Parent Bulletin newsletter for the 2008-09 school year.

Howard Community College (HCC) Educational Foundation, Mediation & Conflict Resolution Center - $2,000 for one-time intensive training to a core group of Restorative Dialogue volunteers.

Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland - $10,000 to support their home-delivered meal program in Howard County serving the frail elderly or those with disabilities who cannot prepare their own meals.

Salvation Army Howard County Service Center - $6,300 to send Howard County at-risk children between the ages of 7 and 12 to a residential summer camp.

Y of Central Maryland - $10,000 towards a full-time Director position for their new Teen/Senior Center.

ARTS AND CULTURAL GRANTS

Two arts and cultural organizations were awarded a total of $12,300.

Little Patuxent Review - $2,500 towardw the costs of printing the fourth issue of this county literary and visual arts magazine.

Howard County Center of African American Culture - $9,800 in funding for new exhibit cases and wall units for historical artifacts and documents.

EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES GRANTS

Four grants in this category totaled $20,900.

Courtesy on the Road - $2,000 to support the continuation of their incentive-based training to encourage safe driving by teen-aged drivers.

Cradlerock Children’s Center - $5,400 for three scholarships for children referred by the Department of Social Services to attend preschool and daycare at the center.

Oakland Mills Community Association (OMCA) - $6,500 for communication activities and efforts related to OMCA Revitalization initiatives.

Prepare for Success - $5,000 in funding for this program that helps children prepare for early childhood education.

St. John Baptist Church Mentoring Program - $2,000 towards administration of their volunteer support team who works with the mentors.

Founded in 1969, the Foundation has awarded over $9 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 230 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.