NEW BUFFALO — The Pokagon Fund awarded its 300th grant to New Buffalo Township Public Library for print and online resources that will benefit the New Buffalo Schools, River Valley Schools, St. Mary of the Lake School and the community at large.

The $50,541 grant will provide electronic reference materials such as encyclopedias, periodicals, e-books, databases, quizzes, podcasts, worldwide newspapers and more, enhancing the educational experience for all students and research capabilities for all residents and visitors to Harbor Country.

Grants awarded in July and August total $368,651, taking the total of all grants awarded since TPF’s inception in 2007 to over $9.4 million. Other grants awarded in July and August include:

• $72,550 to Chikaming Township, New Buffalo Township and Friends of Harbor Country Trails.
Chikaming Township, New Buffalo Township and the Friends of Harbor Country Trails are collaborating on a study of Red Arrow Highway traffic patterns to determine potential improvements to the flow of traffic and the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists.

• $50,000 to Senior Nutrition Services
Funding will support the Meals on Wheels program in New Buffalo, Chikaming and Three Oaks townships.

• $59,700 to New Buffalo Township.
Three additional fire/tornado warning sirens will be installed in areas around New Buffalo Township, providing more thorough coverage.

• $18,000 to Junior Achievement of Michiana.
Funding will support the JA Works! program allowing elementary students to gain a better understanding of financial and economic principles.

• $11,550 to New Buffalo Fine Arts Council.
Funding for four concerts, children’s programs and a billboard will support the upcoming season of the New Buffalo Fine Arts Council, whose goal is to use music and art to unite the community and to create a wider appreciation for all the arts.

While 90 percent of Pokagon Fund grants are awarded in Harbor Country, 10 percent of funding goes to support areas where there are Pokagon Band land consolidation sites in South Bend, Ind., Dowagiac and Hartford.

“Band Grants” awarded in July and August:

• $10,000 to Hartford Public Schools.
The Pokagon Fund will fund the S.A.F.E. project which provides Safe and Accessible Facilities for Everyone. The project will improve walkway accessibility for senior citizens and individuals with handicaps and install safety features to the bleachers.

• $5,000 to Hartford Public Schools.
The Core Reading Program enhances reading skills in school children in third through fifth grades. The supplemental reading materials and workbooks included in this program will improve reading comprehension skills. The Pokagon Fund is a private foundation funded by 1 percent of the electronic gaming revenue from Four Winds Casino Resort.

For more information on past projects funded and funding guidelines visit www.pokagonfund.org.