Earlier this year, A Community Thrives, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, announced they’d be giving away $600,000 in grants to go to selected local communities where someone had an idea that could help the community thrive.
Several Southwest Florida groups produced and presented different projects aligned with the goals of local nonprofits. They, along with more than 500 other groups nationwide, assembled short video entries on everything from poverty to education and equal rights.
Now it’s time to have your voice heard. The organizations will be competing for a total of 16 grants that range in value from $10,000 to $100,000. The competing organizations have to meet a minimum fundraising goal to be eligible to receive a grant, so they need your help.
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In Florida we have amazing options to support local organizations that are already doing great work. Following are details about Southwest Florida groups taking part in this year's program:
The Southwest Florida Women’s Foundation Inc., in Bonita Springs is supporting Earn to Learn Florida, which helps low-to-moderate income students achieve their college graduation goals and do so with little or no debt. The program breaks down barriers to higher education, empowers students with financial literacy and helps individuals and families escape the cycle of poverty and improve their earning potential.
Visit www.crowdrise.com/southwest-florida-womens-foundation.
Creative Theater Workshop in Fort Myers is raising money for a permanent children's theater space. The theater will be a safe place that is dedicated to creating theater for young people throughout the year. With the new space, the company will be able to increase their productions from 2-3 shows a year to 10-12 shows a year, and children will have more opportunities to learn in acting, dancing and singing classes.
Visit www.crowdrise.com/creative-theater-workshop.
The IMAG History and Science Center in Fort Myers is a hands-on science and aquarium museum. IMAG is fundraising for the Fab Lab, a collaborative space for learning, problem-solving, and creating through using off-the-shelf, industrial-grade fabrication and electronics tools operated by open source software and programs. The lab will be multipurpose, furthering the center’s efforts to advance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) literacy.
Visit www.crowdrise.com/imag-hisory-and-science-center.
Visit crowdrise.com/ACT2018 to see and donate to these entries and others from across the nation.
Watch the videos to see their ideas. You can donate to causes from now until May 11, at 11:59 a.m.
At the conclusion of the fundraising period, the ACT team and the Gannett Foundation will decide which projects receive funding. Sixteen grants will be awarded, benefiting both organizations with small and large operating budgets, who have ideas in Arts & Culture, Wellness, and Education.
Somewhere, community members who step up to donate will win the chance to help their community thrive.
That could be right here in Southwest Florida. It could be because of your donation.
Questions about the program and how you can get involved? Reach out to act@gannett.com.
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Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK launched A Community Thrives (ACT) last year to focus on helping local communities and funding great ideas that do so. For this year's program, submissions were open to March 15.
The Gannett Foundation is a corporate foundation sponsored by Gannett Co. Inc., and serves to link the corporate mission and purpose with communities in which the company operates, which includes The News-Press and the Naples Daily News.
Through its Community Grants and A Community Thrives programs, Gannett Foundation supports nonprofit activities impacting residents in the communities in which Gannett does business. Through its other initiatives, the foundation invests in the future of the media industry and encourages employee giving and volunteerism.
The first round of 2018 Gannett Foundation Community Grants for each Gannett-owned property has closed, and grant applications are currently being reviewed. A second round will be given out in the fall. For details on how to apply, visit gannettfoundation.org.