The Knox County Foundation board, at its August meeting, approved the distribution of more than $120,000 for both small grant applications, $5,000 or less, and large grant applications, $5,000 or more.

KCF provided a $70,000 matching grant to provide a new heating and air conditioning unit for the Bladensburg Community Center. With this new system, organizations within the center will be able to provide and expand their services, and the community can utilize the building, year round.

Kenyon College in Gambier received $10,000 to support approximately 10 college interns for non-profit organizations in Knox County. With this program, students will gain valuable real-world job experience to better position themselves for postgraduate success and non-profits will be provided with a high-quality intern for 15 weeks.

A $12,500 grant was awarded to the Center of Hope Knox County for a food distribution hub in Bladensburg. This hub houses a choice pantry, nonprofit market, and food distribution warehouse that has served over 2500 people since March. The funding will help increase the total food storage capacity and ability to house more fresh and local foods.

KCF provided a $10,000 grant ($5,000 per year for two years) to SPI to offer scholarships to low-income families in Knox County. The scholarships will provide free yearly family passes with unlimited visits to the SPI. They will work with the Salvation Army and Jobs and Family services to make the scholarships known in the area.

A $3,000 grant was provided to the Knox County Commissioners to assist with the Kokosing State Scenic River and Mohican River cleanup that is scheduled for September. This project will cover 33 miles of river and will dispose of an estimated 4 tons of trash. Approximately 250 volunteers and 13 organizations collaborate to make this project happen!

United Way of Knox County, in partnership with Get Healthy Knox County, will receive $5,000 for the Crunch Out program. This program provides six-weeks of healthy lifestyle information and activities to all fourth graders in Knox County. Students learn how to use an exercise ball and are given an instruction booklet to keep and use at home.

KCF provided a $2,500 grant to HopeNow Furniture Bank to help with the purchase of a safety saw. This saw immediately stops when the blade comes in contact with skin and would keep volunteers safe from any bodily harm, making jobs faster and easier.

A $5,000 grant was awarded to the Mount Vernon Pickleball Association to retrofit four Junior Tennis courts at Memorial Park. Court fencing will be reconfigured and lines will be redrawn to accommodate both Junior Tennis and Pickleball. This project will double the amount of Pickleball courts available for use in Mount Vernon.

KCF provided a $2,500 grant to Prevent Blindness for their Vision Care Outreach Program. This program gives professional vision care access to low-income families. Prevent Blindness partners with Knox County Health Center, YMCA of Mount Vernon along with a few other organizations in Knox County to expand donated eye care locally.

The next small grant application deadline is Oct. 1, 2020, and the next large grant application deadline is Jan. 1, 2021. See www.knoxcf.org for details.