Recipients Spring 2009

$9,000 Arrow Child and Family Ministries is providing foster
parents with the ability to furnish needed clothing for children
in their care.

$16,125 Campfire USA Tejas Council, in partnership with
Art Center Waco, is providing summer camp scholarships to
children from low income homes.

$25,000 City of Waco, along with Greater Waco Chamber
of Commerce, is developing a master plan and economic
development strategic initiative for the greater downtown
Waco area.

$11,000 Family Abuse Center is strengthening its program of
assisting victims of domestic violence.

$200,000 Family Health Center is increasing primary
healthcare and dental services with an expansion of the Dr.
Tom Oliver 18th Street Community Clinic.

$8,134 Friends for Life is upgrading client security with the
purchase of special door locks and surveillance cameras.

$20,000 Fuzzy Friends Rescue is increasing the large dog
adoption rate by conducting a special training class.

$38,287 Kids & Company is renovating the kitchen at their
Edna Street site to better accommodate the expanding number
of children.

$7,629 Meals & Wheels is purchasing a convection oven to
assist in the preparation of meals for senior adults.

$9,000 Ruth Project is implementing a program that will help
immigrants open bank accounts so they can pay income taxes.

$21,000 The Salvation Army—Waco Corps is remodeling the
former thrift store building into a community kitchen to serve
needy individuals.

$11,000 Waco TECH is providing computer training in labs located
in recreation centers and low income housing developments.

$21,992 World Hunger Relief, Inc. is increasing the capacity of
their education program by expanding outdoor learning facilities.

Recipients Fall 2008
Waco Foundation awards $208,520 to nonprofit organizations that serve the resident of McLennan County.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas is an organization that helps children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth. They have been awarded a $40,000 grant, for which they will seek matching funds to re-energize the program in McLennan County.

Cameron Park Zoological Society & Botanical Society is a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for native and exotic animals, creating an educational experience for over 250,000 annual visitors, and serving as an active community partner in economic development through tourism. The $35,000 grant will be used to complete the Asian Forest exhibit which will house orangutans and Komodo dragons.

Catholic Charities of Central Texas works to provide help and create hope for people of all ages, faiths, ethnic backgrounds, and economic circumstances. This is done, in part, by assisting individuals and families in accessing available support services such as Medicaid, food stamps, and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program). Funding of $10,000 will help them in their efforts to enroll eligible individuals in these beneficial programs.

Junior League of Waco Rainbow Room is an emergency resource center available to Child Protective Services caseworkers so that they can meet critical needs of abused and neglected children. Supplies, which include new clothing, shoes, school supplies, and hygiene items are available to the workers around the clock at two locations. The $5,067 grant will be used to purchase playpens, air mattresses, bed linens, and shelving for the recently opened Herring Avenue Rainbow Room.

Potter’s Vessel Ministries ministers to the body, mind and spirit of individuals facing health care challenges. Recently, they realized that, in addition to medication assistance and wellness opportunities, they need a program that will assist and advocate for individuals who are navigating the health care system. A $30,000 grant was awarded to provide staff support as they implement the program.

Early Childhood Assessment Project will survey the current status of early childhood services in McLennan County. Information collected will be used to determine the best manner in which to provide services that meet the critical developmental needs of children, ages birth through three. Funding of up to $20,000 was made available for the project.

Waco Civic Theatre provides the community with quality live theater while offering residents the opportunity to express their artistic abilities. From 2,000 to 5,000 patrons and volunteers are involved with the theater on a monthly basis. A new air conditioning system for the lobby will be purchased with the $7,443 grant.

Waco Foundation Capacity Building Program, formerly known as the Community Grant Writer Program, assists local nonprofit organizations in maximizing their management, governance, fundraising, and performance in order to increase their effectiveness in the community. Funding of $17,000 will be used to implement new strategies of the program.

Waco History Project connects people of all ages to the community by telling the story of Waco's diverse past. In conjunction with Waco Independent School District, a major effort is being undertaken to impart local history to children. To assist in this endeavor, a grant of $2,010 has been awarded so that history books about the area can be purchased and distributed to WISD libraries.

Waco Humane Society and Animal Shelter advocates for animals and their owners, educates the public on animal issues, and provides care for over 10,000 lost or abandoned animals each year. Because consistent funding is needed to provide these services, $35,000 is granted so that they can implement a fund development program.

Waco Independent School District Outstanding Teacher Awards are given each year to educators who pursue their profession with passion. Six teachers are chosen for the excellence they demonstrate while educating students. Funds totaling $7,000 are awarded to recognize the efforts of these individuals.

Recipients Spring 2008
$429,635 awarded to nonprofit organizations that serve the residents of McLennan County