California

San Diego Foundation has announced that it awarded a total of $131.1 million in grants during fiscal year 2023, including a record $45 million to health and human services providers to address basic needs such as housing and food. Of the 8,925 grants awarded to 2,577 nonprofits, those in San Diego County received $109.5 million, or 83.5 percent of grant dollars.

The foundation also announced that the Escondido Community Foundation, a regional affiliate, awarded 10 grants totaling $264,000 at its annual grants celebration on September 28. Recipients include A Step Beyond ($20,000), Community HousingWorks ($30,000), and the Tariq Khamisa Foundation ($35,000).

Colorado

The Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF) has announced grants totaling $49,000 to 30 local nonprofit organizations in its fall grant cycle. Made possible through a partnership with the Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SDCEA), the grants include $35,000 awarded through the SDCEA Grant Fund to organizations serving Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, and/or Lake counties and supporting community-based health programs; food, shelter, and human services; disaster preparedness and relief services; or animal protection and welfare. The remaining $14,000 was awarded through the CCCF Community Grants Fund to organizations serving Chaffee County and focused on community health, vitality, and capacity. Recipients include Sangres Art Guild, Arkansas Valley Advocates for Dyslexia, Friends of Colorado Avalanche Information Center, and Chaffee Childcare Initiative.

Connecticut

Branford Community Foundation has announced the appointments of two new board members. Paul D’Angelo is currently the chief financial officer for Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana. Ram Shrestha has served on the Branford Representative Town Meeting since 2020 and is currently in his second term representing the fourth district; he is on the Public Service Committee.

Maine

The Maine Community Foundation’s Peaks Island Fund has awarded grants totaling $75,000 to 10 nonprofits. The fund was created in 2004 by eight Peaks Island residents. Recipients include Fifth Maine Regiment Museum ($8,018), Illustration Institute ($8,018), and Island Compost Project ($1,586).

Minnesota

The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation has announced the 2023 recipients of its Facing Race Awards, honoring four Minnesota-based anti-racism advocates who have made notable strides toward fostering a state where all communities and people thrive. The recipients are Trahern Crews, co-founder and lead organizer of Black Lives Matter Minnesota; Rayona Kardell, a client advocate at Breaking Free, a nonprofit that assists clients who have experienced sex trafficking or sexual exploitation; Rose McGee, an activist who uses sweet potato pies to advocate for justice—delivering comfort to those affected by racial trauma with what she calls “the sacred dessert of Black culture”; and Asha Shoffner, who leads Saint Paul Parks and Recreation’s outdoor and environmental education work.

Nebraska

The Lincoln Community Foundation has announced $850,000 in grants awarded from its Affordable Housing Fund to seven organizations working to create and preserve affordable housing. The recipients are Community Development Resources, Family Service Lincoln, Habitat for Humanity Lincoln/Lancaster County, Lincoln Housing Authority, Nebraska Housing Resource, NeighborWorks Lincoln, and South of Downtown Community Development Organization.

North Carolina

The Cumberland Community Foundation celebrated a historic year of giving and honored Mary Lynn McCree Bryan Leadership Award winner Linda Devore at its annual gathering September 28, CityView reports. During the fiscal year that ended June 30, the foundation received donations totaling more than $13.1 million, while awarding nearly $9.55 million in grants and scholarships, the highest amount in any single year since its establishment in 1980.

The Outer Banks Community Foundation has announced third-quarter grants totaling $134,873 to nine nonprofits—$94,873 in Community Enrichment grants to eight organizations to support a new dental clinic, education for community leaders, recreation for all, the arts, people with disabilities, and older adults, and an additional 40th anniversary grant of $40,000 to Interfaith Community Outreach for substance abuse prevention and recovery. Recipients of the Community Enrichment grants include Community Care Clinic of Dare, Surf Pediatrics Foundation, and Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men.

Ohio

Akron Community Foundation has announced grants totaling $179,600 to 22 food pantries in response to the crisis caused by the ending of emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits earlier this year, as well as the rise in food costs. Grants were awarded to benefit food pantries operating in Summit County zip codes with the highest food insecurity rates according to Healthy Northeast Ohio. Recipients include Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank ($10,000); Akron Public Schools ($10,000); Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Diocese of Cleveland ($4,000); and The Salvation Army of Summit County ($10,000).

The Dayton Foundation has announced the appointment of Amy Wagner as its new senior vice president, operations. Wagner most recently served as president and chief operating officer for Ohio’s Hospice, Inc., where she oversaw all aspects of the statewide organization and prior to that was the vice president of administration for Hospice of Dayton.

Wisconsin

The Community Foundation of Marquette County recently awarded more than $102,000 through the Paul F. Blewett Legacy Funds to 19 nonprofits in Marquette and Delta counties, UpperMichiganSource.com reports. The fund was established in 2010 to provide support to local and regional organizations that Blewett, who died in in 2009, cared most about. Recipients include The Salvation Army, Bethany Lutheran Church, and the Michigan Education Association.

Wyoming

The Wyoming Community Foundation has announced the appointment of Steven Cranfill as statewide board chair. Cranfill was a judge for the Fifth District Court of Big Horn and Park counties. Appointed in 2006, he served until his retirement in 2017. Prior to that, he was elected to the Wyoming House of State Representatives of Washakie County and served two two-year terms.