NEW BUFFALO – The Pokagon Fund provided grant funding in the amount of $68,390 in July and August, representing seven projects. Grant funding supports initiatives in the fields of health, human services, art, education, recreation and environment.

• $8,100 to New Buffalo Township for meeting room furniture. A new conference table and conference chairs were purchased along with chairs for the public to use at meetings.
• $3,000 in matching contributions for the charities supported by the Umbrellas of Harbert.
The Umbrellas of Harbert event brings public awareness to the town of Harbert while raising money for local charities.

Donations made to the Harbert Dog Park and Animal Lovers during this year’s event will be matched by The Pokagon Fund.

• $12,840 to River Valley Rocket Football for equipment upgrade. New helmets, shoulder pads, practice pants and other equipment will be upgraded in time for the season beginning this fall.

• $10,000 to the United Way of Southwest Michigan for the oversight of the Imagination Library project.

The Imagination Library project provides free books to young children so they can build their own personal library. Each month, from the day a child is born until his or her 5th birthday, an age appropriate book arrives in the mail. Book topics include self esteem, regard for diversity and appreciation of art.

• $20,000 to Hospice at Home for its Transitions program.

• $2,700 to Three Oaks Spokes for the printing of their bike trail brochures.

Backroads Bikeway brochures provide maps of 14 bicycle routes ranging in length from five to 60 miles throughout Harbor Country.

• $11,750 to underwrite the Kee-Boon-Mein-Kaa Pow Wow.

The 24th annual Kee-Boon-Mein-Kaa pow wow is a two-day celebration of Native American traditional singing, dancing and culture.

The event is held at the tribal headquarters in Dowagiac over Labor Day weekend and is free to the public.