First Year's Grants

The Board of Directors has approved grants to four organizations in the Second Round of funding for the first full year of operation.  The Round Three grant cycle will begin on October 15th, 2010 with proposals due by November 15th, 2010.  Join us in thanking these organizations for the work they do to support us and the greater community as well. The organizations will be recognized regionally on WCQS over the next few weeks so please listen for them.


ROUND ONE


Center for Diversity Education  ... $4,200


To fund fees for two trainers from "Ground Spark" to train teachers, counselors, and others about bullying. Training to take place during a 2010 conference. Supported locally by Citizens of the School Violence Prevention Act.


Equality NC Foundation  ... $3,500


To promote locally organized LGBTQ events in WNC. Specifically, to hire a graduate student to engage 1,000 new on-line advocates in Asheville, Boone, and surrounding areas.

Youth OUTright... $5,000


To hire a part-time program director to manage activities of the organization. This will be the organization's first paid staff position.

ROUND TWO

Western North Carolina AIDS Project... $2,900


Grant funds to be used to plan and implement a week long exhibit of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in conjunction with the commendation of World AIDS Day in December of 2010.

Homeward Bound of Asheville, Inc... $800


Homeward Bound is working with others to end the cycle of homelessness. The small initial grant was provided to train staff to better understand GLBTQ homelessness issues.

Cantaria, The Gay Men’s Chorus of Asheville... $3,500


The funding to the Chorus focused on means to foster gay and lesbian community spirit and to present a positive gay image to the Western North Carolina community at large. The grant will allow for the purchase of equipment necessary to increase outreach into the WNC community.

Equality NC Foundation... $3,250

In it efforts to secure equality and justice for LGBT North Carolinians, the Foundation was given a second grant to identify and engage a total of 2,000 online advocates in Western North Carolina to support our community's agenda.


In addition the Board has authorized $1,100 to purchase day sponsorships to honor our grant recipients on the Mountain Air Network WCQS and it’s affiliates.

Total first year giving in two rounds:    $24,250

HOW WE PLAN TO USE THIS BLOG

The Board of Directors, in an effort to implement a cost effective and practical means of reaching our members and prospects, decided to use a blog.  The blog space is free, as is the editing software, and it is supported by my volunteer efforts. The blog will be updated regularly and serve to keep members and prospects current on the growth and development of The 300.  To help facilitate user-friendliness, let me walk you through the content:

In April the blog will inform you of the upcoming annual meeting, how to join The 300 during our Spring membership drive,  and provide information about our 2nd Round grant-making process, including application guidelines and the grant application.

 
An ongoing archive of blog postings, located in the right sidebar, includes postings covering such items as:

• the 2009 Holiday Reception for grant recipients
• the operating guidelines which outline our relationship with the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina
• The 300 Society's Ethics Policy

Sidebar elements also provide a quick overview of pertinent information, such as:

• the current Board of Directors
• Grants awarded during the 1st Round (Fall 2009)
• a current list of organizations sponsored by members

The blog also provides a word search tool for finding items of interest and, at the bottom of the space, links to pertinent documents down-loadable through Slideshare.net.

The Board and I look forward to your feedback on how to make this blog an even more effective tool for supporting the mission of The 300 and for bringing our community together.

Rob Burress

Volunteer Blog Master - 2010