At the celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Harvest Foundation announced its new Project Hope, a new project that will bridge the gap that was created by a lack of opportunity for community involvement.
The project includes a committee of community members who vote on grant proposals submitted by local residents. This committee differs from the foundation’s usual grant process in that community members submit the grant proposals and the committee members decide which proposals receive funding.
Foundation president Kate Keller said the project was established as part of a “new strategic plan” centered around “working to create opportunities to engage relationships.”
Books and Crannies owner Deshanta Hairston is one of the members of this new board. She joined the board with the belief that “our community could use a spark of hope.” Hairston said that the members of this new committee are united by a common desire to better their community.
“We all have this collective idea that we want better,” Hairston said.
Proposals may be submitted by local 501(c)3 non-profit organizations or by community groups who are not non-profits but have a fiscal sponsor. This committee began out of the foundation’s desire to ensure that everyone in the community is equally represented and able to experience the positive effects the foundation has on the community.
Those interested must submit a Request for Proposal by Sept. 16 by visiting the Harvest Foundation’s website at www.theharvestfoundation.org. The website will guide applicants through the process and provides a list of the types of projects that will be considered.
The foundation is seeking proposals that are likely to have a quick turn-around.
Latala Hodges, director of communications, emphasized the foundation does not want an applicant’s lack of experience in grant proposals to discourage them from submitting an application. She encouraged anyone with questions or problems to contact her at lhodges@theharvestfoundation.org.
The Request for Proposal states, “one way to return hope to a region is through community connectivity.”
Established in 2002, the Harvest Foundation’s goal is to ensure everyone in the Martinsville-Henry County communities have the same opportunities. It promotes projects that not only benefit the economic development, education, and quality healthcare, but also aids in creating equality in the availability and ease of access to these services.
Groups who need help obtaining a fiscal sponsor may contact program officer India Brown at ibrown@theharvestfoundation.org. or Hodges.
