The Columbia Foundation Grants $195K to Howard County Nonprofit Organizations

The Columbia Foundation, Howard County's community foundation, has announced the granting of $195,000 to 37 local nonprofit organizations.

Human Service Grants
The 16 human service grants total $95,000 and will help support groups addressing some of the more critical concerns of the community, including family issues, health care and housing.
- Alianza de la Comunidad: $5,000 to help provide a helpline, workshops, support groups and classes to the county's Hispanic population.
- Bridges to Housing Stability: $8,000 to support its housing and homeless prevention programs.
- Community Action Council of Howard County: $5,000 to support operations of its Head Start Summer Enrichment Program.
- Domestic Violence Center of Howard County: $15,000 in support of programs for abused individuals and their families.
- Family and Children's Services: $4,000 to support counseling, case management, family support, parent education and in-home services for county families.
- FISH of Howard County: $10,000 in emergency funding for food, rent, fuel or medical assistance to individuals and families in need.
- Foreign-born Information and Referral Network (or FIRN): $5,000 to provide a wide range of support services to the county's growing immigrant population.
- Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center: $10,000 towards support of its hotline, walk-in and outreach crisis services and homeless shelter for families.
- HCGH Healthy Families: $1,500 to support the program, which links new parents with resources to help them in raising and caring for their infants.
- Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland: $5,000 in support of its home-delivered meal program to seniors in Howard County.
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill: $2,500 to help fund education, support and advocacy programs for those with mental illness and their families.
- National Family Resilience Center: $4,000 in operational funds to support increased demand for services to families experiencing separation and divorce.
- Neighbor Ride: $5,000 to support itsoperations in providing transportation for older Howard County residents and those with disabilities.
- Salvation Army Howard County Family Service Center: $7,500 towards its crisis intervention services for Howard County residents in need of emergency assistance.
- The Serenity Center: $5,000 to support operations of this center for 12-step recovery programs.
- Voices for Children: $2,500 to its programs for abused and neglected children involved in the judicial system.

Arts & Cultural Grants
Ten arts and cultural organizations were awarded a total of $68,000.
- African Art Museum of Maryland: $1,000 for this organization's exhibit and outreach programs.
- Candlelight Concert Society: $10,000 to continue presentations of its Chamber and Family Music series and master classes.
- Columbia Center for the Theatrical Arts: $5,000 to continue its theatrical training and other programs for young people.
- The Columbia Festival of the Arts: $16,000 to support this annual celebration of the arts in Columbia.
- The Columbia Orchestra: $9,000 to provide local musicians and Howard County residents with a high quality, locally-based symphony orchestra.
- Columbia Pro Cantare Chorus: $8,000 to continue its choral concerts.
- Howard County Arts Council: $7,000 to foster community visual and performing artists and arts groups by providing studio space, galleries, classes and performances.
- Howard Community College Educational Foundation & Rep Stage: $5,000 to support the productions of the only professional theater company in Howard County.
- Howard County Poetry and Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo): $5,000 to promote excellence and public appreciation of poetry and literature through presentations by renowned poets and authors.
- Sundays at Three: $2,000 to support local chamber music artists and performances.

Education & Community Services Grants
The 11 grants in this category totaled $32,000.
- B&O Railroad Museum Ellicott City Station: $1,500 to support its programs and educational resources about the history of American railroading.
- Best Buddies Maryland: $2,500 for its Howard County middle school, high school and citizens programs that create opportunities for friendships, employment and leadership development for those with developmental disabilities.
- Conexiones: $3,500 to support this organization dedicated to Hispanic student achievement.
- The First Tee of Howard County: $5,000 to provide scholarships for its golf and life skills programs for Howard County young people.
- HC DrugFree: $4,000 to support its free programs for parents and teens concerning substance abuse prevention and counseling.
- Helping Hands Enrichment & Leadership Foundation: $2,000 to help promote the academic success of elementary school children through year-round academic and enrichment programs.
- Howard County Autism Society: $5,000 towards the purchase of technology and information for the organization's resource library.
- Howard County Center of African American Culture: $2,500 in funding for archival materials, library equipment and supplies needed to preserve and organize its cultural artifacts and information.
- Howard County Foundation for Black Education and Cultural Achievement: $2,000 to provide college scholarship support for Howard County students.
- Howard County Historical Society: $1,000 to support the outreach and growth of the organization.
- St. John Baptist Church Mentoring Program: $3,000 towards operations of its programs matching adult volunteer mentors with young people.
Founded in 1969, The Columbia Foundation has awarded $10 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 more than 250 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.