Community Builders Grants

TYLER — Officials with the Community Builders say they’re rewarding hard working Smith County nonprofit organizations with the extra funding they need to support strategic projects and programs to help people in need in Smith County. The Community Builders is a collaborative effort between East Texas Communities Foundation and the United Way of Tyler/ Smith County. The two organizations will host the 2010 Smith County Community Builders Grant reception Thursday at 9:00 a.m. in the Genecov Room of the Blackstone Building (315 N. Broadway, Tyler). Officials say the nine organizations were chosen because they demonstrated compelling needs and strategic opportunities to benefit many members of the community. Committee members chosen by ETCF and United Way of Tyler/Smith County assist with the grant selection process.

This year’s outstanding organizations receiving grants are as follows:
Bethesda Health Clinic
Purpose: Funding to purchase equipment/supplies for full or partial dentures

Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County
Purpose: Purchase of a new computer system

Christian Men’s Job Corps of Tyler
Purpose: Support the employment skills training program

Christian Women’s Job Corps of Tyler, Inc.
Purpose: Purchase student books for job and life skills program

East Texas Food Bank
Purpose: Funding to supply food for Senior Servings program

Kings Storehouse Food Bank
Purpose: Purchase of capital equipment

Meals on Wheels
Purpose: Funding for fuel cost related to meal deliveries

Ninos de Promesa Preschool
Purpose: Purchase 4 computers and educational software for two older preschool classes

North Tyler Day Nursery
Purpose: “Brain Gym” training by Champions for Children

Total Amount Awarded: $30,000.00

ETCF and United Way say they would like to thank the Genecov Foundation for making a special gift to support the Community Builders which funded projects for Smith County Precinct 3 and the Literacy Council of Tyler.

East Texas Communities Foundation is a nonprofit corporation serving 16 counties in East Texas. In 2009, the Foundation distributed over $3.4 million and manages over $40 million in 167 unique charitable funds which support non-profit organizations and student scholarships. The mission of the Foundation is to support philanthropy by offering simple ways for donors to achieve their long-term charitable goals.
Press packets will be available at the event.