CSRA Community Foundation awards $735,000 in grants to local nonprofits

The Community Foundation for the CSRA on Jan. 15 awarded more than $735,000 to nearly 60 area nonprofits supporting arts, health, education and other services. The funding included a first-time $15,000 grant to Friends of the North Augusta Animals and awards to several Aiken organizations such as Mental Health America and Southern Pickleball Academy.

The Community Foundation for the CSRA on Jan. 15 awarded more than $735,000 in grants to nearly 60 nonprofits across the region. The grants support a variety of missions, including the arts, the environment, healthcare, education and youth enrichment. The foundation's program is supported by the Masters Tournament, community partners and individual donors. Over the past 30 years the endowment has nearly doubled, and about $12 million has been disbursed to nonprofits across six counties since the program began. Grant details: - Friends of the North Augusta Animals (FONAA) received a first-time grant of $15,000 to fund its spay and neuter program. - Community Medical Clinic of Aiken County will use its grant toward an in-house pharmacy to provide free medications and pharmacy services for patients managing chronic conditions; the clinic is described as a "safety net under the safety net." - Mental Health America of Aiken County received funding to support core programs, including Nurture Home, its transitional shelter for women, along with newborn support, education and advocacy. - Southern Pickleball Academy and Mental Health America were noted for their connection through a youth program combining fitness, social skills and mental health support. - Nearly 200 volunteers took part in reviewing applications and conducting site visits as part of the grant selection process. - Additional recipients in North Augusta include the North Augusta Public Safety Foundation, Fostering The Family, GameChangers Foundation and Carey Hill Community Outreach Inc., while Aiken recipients include Aiken Civic Orchestra, University of South Carolina Aiken, Family Promise of Aiken County, The Child Advocacy Center of Aiken County, The Salvation Army of Aiken and Public Education Partners. Summary: The grants are intended to fund a wide range of local programs from animal welfare and healthcare access to mental health supports and youth activities, reflecting the foundation's focus on community needs. The selection process involved extensive volunteer review and site visits, and the foundation highlighted steady endowment growth and long-term community support. Undetermined at this time.