The T. L. L. Temple Foundation has established a new $50,000 grants program created specifically to benefit Wards 1 and 2 of North Lufkin. Interested applicants may apply for grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 beginning February 1, 2018. Grant awards will be announced in early March of this year. Application information is available through the grants program manager Legacy Institute for Financial Education (L.I.F.E.). Interested applicants are encouraged to visit www.LegacyforYouth.org.
The North Lufkin Community Small Grants Program was approved by the T. L. L. Temple Foundation Board of Trustees based upon the “Listening to the Voice of the Community” report. The report culminated an appreciative inquiry study of North Lufkin by the Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Social Work Center for Rural Work Research and Development. The study was funded and made possible by the T.L.L. Temple Foundation.
Wynn Rosser, president and CEO of the foundation states, “This program illustrates the foundation’s commitment to be present and invested in North Lufkin as we work toward longer-term outcomes.” Rosser continues, “We believe these small grants will support resident engagement and promote equity and inclusion. We hope the program will serve as one way for North Lufkin residents to be creative, take risks, and build a range of skills.”
An initial allocation of $50,000 has been approved for the program. Small grants will range from $500 to $5,000 and will fund group projects that foster civic engagement and collaboration. Small grants are a means to fund and support placed-based grassroots groups to ensure the $50,000 is invested into projects that have meaning to the residents of Wards 1 and 2 in North Lufkin.
Joseph Ceasar, Executive Director of L.I.F.E. states, “We’re proud to be a part of a program that will transform how grants are funded. Once the community realizes the simplicity and speed of the overall process, we believe the perceived difficulty of applying for a grant will begin to diminish. We’re expecting to see an increase in the number of funded projects that are in line with the recommendations outlined in the report.”
As the program’s administrator, LIFE will oversee the operation of the program. The a 501(c)(3) organization will manage the program, coordinate the review committee and be responsible for small grant distributions and reporting.