Howard County’s community foundation, The Columbia Foundation, which raises, manages and distributes funds to support Howard County nonprofits, awarded mini-grants to four organizations.
• Howard County Conservancy received $2,000 for educational displays in the three-season classroom in the organization’s historic bank barn. Displays will present information about nature, as well as the county’s conservancy’s trails and habitats.
• Leadership Howard County received $1,500 for a projector and sound system for use during the organization’s more than 15 program events each year.
• Islamic Leadership Institute of America received $1,000 for a robotics club. The club will offer 11- to -18-year-olds the opportunity to apply their interests and skills while developing critical thinking, teamwork, patience, analysis and planning skills.
• Girls on the Run of Central Maryland received $1,000 for race equipment and supplies — including signs, course cones, finish-line tape and tables — for the organization’s biannual 5K events for third- through -eighth-grade girls.
Mini-grants of $500 to $2,000 fund pilot projects, organizational improvements and equipment purchases for organizations that deliver services to Howard County residents in the areas of human services, arts and culture, education, environment and community affairs. The foundation awards mini-grants quickly to meet time-sensitive community needs.
The Columbia Foundation set aside a total of $20,000 for mini-grants this year, with three opportunities to apply. The foundation currently is reviewing applications received during the second round of submissions. Mini-grant applications for the third and final round are due Aug. 31.
Organizations may access mini-grant guidelines and applications online. For more information, call 410-730-7840 or visit www.columbiafoundation.org.
