By Staff
NEW BUFFALO – The Board of Directors for The Pokagon Fund is pleased to announce the funding of six new projects in June totaling $195,542.
The Pokagon Fund began funding grant proposals in November 2007, and since that time has provided over $2.5 million in project funding to local charities and municipalities. Grant funding supports initiatives in the fields of health, human services, art, education, recreation, and environment.
$74,825 was awarded to the ITC – Pokagon Head Start for the purchase of a school bus. Funding for this project will provide safe and reliable transportation ensuring that children in the Dowagiac area can participate in the Inter Tribal Council Head Start Program on a daily basis.
$4,000 was awarded to Three Oaks Township for restoration of Spring Creek School. An architect will be hired to prepare drawings and establish a sequence of events for the preservation of this historic building.
$47,000 was awarded to Chikaming Township to enhance the Harbert Park Playground. Funding for this project will allow for the expansion of the existing play area at Harbert Community Park with the addition of a climbing wall, expanded cushioned areas around both playground sets for increased safety, and other playground equipment.
$9,000 was awarded to Chikaming Township to create recreational brochures for Harbor Country. This project will promote safe recreation by providing information on the rules and regulations of summer activities. Packets will contain informational brochures on parks, hiking and cycling trails, cycling and walking safety, and rip current safety.
$58,717 was awarded to the New Buffalo School District in support of their Summer School Program. The New Buffalo Area Schools will now be offering enrichment opportunities with experiential learning to any interested students. The enrichment opportunities planned include creative writing, outdoor science exploration, fitness and self-image, nuclear physics, summer fit club, and robotics.
$2,000 was awarded to Dowagiac Union Schools to support their Life Skills Classes. The students enjoy participating in hands-on activities such as cooking, baking, and grilling. The project will help the students gain greater knowledge in the area of nutrition, as well as learn marketable skills.
New Buffalo Township Memorial Park grant revision. In addition to the gifts listed above, a grant which was approved in April to the New Buffalo Township to support improvements to Memorial Park, has been revised.
Originally, The Pokagon Fund grant award was structured as a matching grant contingent on receiving grant funding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). The restructuring of The Pokagon Fund grant allows for work on the park to begin immediately. A grant of $239,000 was approved for park improvements which will begin this summer.
New Buffalo Township has reduced the amount of their grant request to the MDNR, thereby reducing the amount of matching funds requested of The Pokagon Fund to $380,000.
The mission of The Pokagon Fund is to enhance the lives of the people in the New Buffalo region. Requests for funding can be submitted at any time, and the Board of Directors meets monthly to review grant applications. The Pokagon Fund is a private foundation supported by 2 percent of the electronic gaming revenue from the Four Winds Casino.
Ten percent of all funding from The Pokagon Fund supports the communities in and around Pokagon Band land trusts in Dowagiac, Hartford, and North Liberty.
The remaining 90 percent of all funds support the municipalities and nonprofit organizations providing programs in the Townships of New Buffalo, Chikaming, and Three Oaks, and cities and villages within those townships.
Refer to The Pokagon Fund web site, www.pokagonfund.org to learn more about the projects and review the grant application guidelines.