Local non-profits receive grant money

The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County recently awarded $126,204 to 17 local non-profit organizations through their annual program, according to a press release.

Organizations receiving the award include: Trinity Episcopal Church, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Monroe County United Ministries, Inc., Wheeler Mission Ministries, YMCA, BCT Management, Inc./Buskirk-Chumley Theater, Cardinal Stage Company, Ellettsville Fire Department, Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools, Friends of T.C. Steele State Historic Site, Monroe County Historical Society, Inc., Options for Better Living, Inc., Stone Belt, Inc., Sycamore Land Trust, Inc., Richland Bean Blossom Community School Corporation, WFHB Community Radio and WonderLab Museum, according to the release.

The largest grants were given to Trinity Episcopal Church for $15,000 and WonderLab Museum for $15,000.

Trinity Episcopal Church will use its grant money to establish a low-barrier winter shelter. WonderLab will use its grant money toward the "Toys: The Inside Story" exhibition.

“In addition to granting in all our traditional fields, we gave special attention this year to basic needs,” Foundation President and CEO Shari Woodbury said in the release.

“Our Board of Directors had earmarked some funds to ensure that members of our community who are not faring well in the recession do not go lacking in such basic areas as food, shelter and health.”