Grantors Partner to Help Neighbors in Need
By Jenny Ho

   Experienced nonprofit fundraisers are aware that grantors do not give to organizations, but rather they give to people – those who can be trusted to carry out their agency's mission, faithfully serve the community, and responsibly manage the money theyíve been given.

   The recent success of Father Joe's Villages' grant-writing team in soliciting funds from private foundations and public agencies is due in large part to the success of the organizationís exceptional management and staff. Development officers work directly with the program staff, and together help to improve and expand programs, establish goals and objectives, and maximize the Villages' impact and effectiveness.

   During the first quarter of 2004, Father Joe's Villages received numerous positive responses for grant proposals to fund Nightengale Manor in Palm Springs; Martha's Village & Kitchen in Indio, Calif.; and St. Vincent de Paul Village in San Diego.

   Nightengale Manor, the only family emergency shelter in Palm Springs, was awarded $2,500 from Champions Volunteer Foundation, based in Indian Wells, Calif. The County of Riverside also approved a $30,000 grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development's Emergency Housing and Assistance Program to support shelter operations.

   The Indio community has generously contributed to Martha's Village & Kitchen's Medical Clinic, which registered over 3,500 patient visits last year. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians announced its donation of $20,000 at the Ninth Annual Tribal Donation Ceremony. They evaluated multiple applications and selected those programs that would provide beneficial services to the citizens of Coachella Valley.

   The chairman of Martha's Board of Directors, Henry Burdick, introduced the agency to the Joseph Family Foundation, which committed to a contribution of $150,000 over three years in support of Martha's Medical Clinic.

   In addition, the Dragicevich Charitable Foundation provided $5,000 in general operating support for Martha's transitional housing program.

   In San Diego, the Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded a total of $175,575 to St. Vincent de Paul Village to operate short-term transitional housing programs for families and single adults.

   The St. Vincent's Children's Services program also received funding from the Lion's Club for computer lab equipment and from the Pratt Memorial Fund for general operating expenses. Through a $20,000 grant from March of Dimes, the Village Family Health Center is able to expand its prenatal education and outreach services.