The primary source of funds for The Columbia Foundation’s strategic grantmaking is our endowment income. Income from our donors’ unrestricted and field of interest funds goes directly to grantees in the form of grants. Donor-advised and scholarship and award funds provide support for those organizations recommended by donors.
2011 Operational Grants
Human Services
The 17 human service grants total $140,000, which represents a $45,000 increase over last year’s operating grants for human service organizations. The human service grants will help support groups addressing some of the more critical concerns of the community, including family issues, health care and housing.
Adaptive Living – $3,000 in support of their residential program for residents with developmental and/or cognitive disabilities
Best Buddies – $5,000 to support one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Bridges to Housing Stability – $10,000 to support their housing and prevention programs for the homeless in Howard County.
Chase Brexton Health Services – $5,000 to provide medical and dental services to underserved individuals in Howard County.
Christ Church Link – $7,500 to support this social services telephone referral network in guiding Howard County’s most vulnerable citizens to sources of financial aid and basic needs assistance.
Community Action Council of Howard County – $6,000 towards a Volunteer Coordinator position to support their programs and services for low-income residents.
Domestic Violence Center – $20,000 in support of prevention, education and counseling programs for abused individuals and their families.
FIRN, Inc. – $5,000 towards their information and referral, immigration and citizenship counseling, interpreting/translating, and English tutoring services.
FISH of Howard County – $10,000 to help provide food, fuel and financial assistance for individuals and families in need.
Gilchrist Hospice Care – $10,000 to help provide comprehensive end of life care to Howard County patients.
Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center – $11,000 in support of their comprehensive crisis intervention center, hotline, and shelter for homeless families and individuals.
HC DrugFree – $5,000 to provide drug and alcohol prevention educational programs and resources to parents, youth, educators and the community.
Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland – $10,000 in support of their home-delivered meal program for homebound, frail, and elderly individuals in Howard County.
NAMI Howard County – $8,000 to help fund outreach, education, support and advocacy programs for individuals and families affected by mental illness.
National Family Resiliency Center – $12,000 to support clinical services and support programs for families experiencing divorce and life transitions.
Neighbor Ride – $10,000 to provide transportation services for older Howard County residents.
Voices for Children – $2,500 to support their programs for abused and neglected children involved in the court system.
Arts and Cultural
Eleven arts and cultural organizations were awarded operating grants totaling $45,700.
Candlelight Concert Society – $7,000 in support of their Chamber and CandleKids music series, outreach programs, and master classes.
Columbia Bands – $1,000 to continue providing their free concerts and performances.
Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts – $4,000 in support of their theatrical arts classes, productions and outreach youth programs.
Columbia Festival of the Arts – $10,000 to support this annual celebration of the arts in Columbia.
The Columbia Orchestra – $7,000 towards their concerts and programs serving local audiences, musicians and students.
Columbia Pro Cantare – $5,000 to continue their choral concerts and programs.
HoCoPoLitSo – $2,500 in matching funds to promote excellence in the literary arts and to build community by enlarging the audience for contemporary poetry and literature.
Howard County Arts Council – $2,000 to foster the arts, artists and arts organizations through various programs, classes and exhibits.
Kinetics Dance Theatre – $3,000 in support of their contemporary dance training, outreach and workshop programs.
Little Patuxent Review – $2,200 towards this local arts publication and salon series.
Sundays at Three – $2,000 to continue their public chamber music performances.
Education and Community Services Grants
The six grants in this category totaled $20,000.
B&O Railroad Museum Ellicott City Station – $2,500 in matching funds towards their programs and educational resources about the history of American railroading.
Conexiones – $5,000 to support this organization dedicated to Hispanic student achievement.
Helping Hands Enrichment and Leadership Foundation – $5,000 to continue their supplemental learning programs for at-risk elementary school students.
Howard County Foundation for Black Educational and Cultural Achievement – $2,000 towards scholarships for Howard County students.
Howard County Historical Society – $3,000 to support the growth of this organization dedicated to the collection, preservation, and education of Howard County’s history.
Junior Achievement of Central Maryland – $2,500 to help educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise, understand business and economics, and be workforce ready.