South Mountain Partnership Awards Nearly $60,000 in Grants to 11 Organizations
On Friday, September 27, South Mountain Partnership (SMP) gave 11 organizations approximately $60,000 through their Mini-Grant and Flex Grant Programs for projects advancing the priorities of SMP’s State of the Region Project.
The Mini-Grant Program was developed by SMP in 2009 and is administered with help from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The program is funded by the Environmental Stewardship Funds, a bipartisanly created program administered through the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
This year marks 15 years of giving through the Mini-Grant Program. Almost 100 projects have been completed since the Program’s inception. Nearly $700,000 has been awarded, leveraging almost $1.5 million in matching funds.
The Mini-Grant Program’s goal is to stimulate projects that sustain the South Mountain region’s sense of place by promoting, enhancing, and protecting the area’s agricultural, natural, cultural, recreational, or economic resources. The program is available to 501(c) 3 nonprofits, municipalities, counties, and educational institutions. The following organizations were awarded Mini-Grants for such projects.
The Borough of Lemoyne, of Cumberland County, was granted $18,600 to assess a potential multi-use trail that follows the alignment of Norfolk Southern Shippensburg Railroad.
The Newville Historical Society was given $3,800 to create a heritage walking trail connecting the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail to the Newville Historic District.
The Friends of Historic Heishman’s Mill, of Carlisle, was awarded $5,500 to assess the building’s structural issues and develop goals for the mill’s adaptive reuse as a community educational resource.
Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County was granted $5,000 to hold educational landowner meetings on land preservation options in Northern York County.
The Cumberland Valley Rails to Trails Council was given $18,000 to create a conceptual design plan for a portion of the proposed South Mountain Trolley Greenway Trail to share with the community and decision makers.
Dillsburg Arts & Revitalization Council was awarded $3,000 to restore wood trim on the Historic Monaghan Church, facilitating the use of the building as a community educational resource.
The Flex Grants Program meets smaller community funding needs and supports projects increasing access to the area’s natural and cultural resources. Eligible organizations include businesses and community groups, as well as those eligible for the Mini-Grant Program. The program is funded by private donations raised through the Friends of the South Mountain Partnership, a Project of The Foundation For Enhancing Communities. Flex Grants were given to the following organizations.
The Cumberland County Historical Society and Hamilton Library Association of Carlisle were awarded $2,000 to increase ADA signage and ease of entry for their ADA-accessible entrance.
The YWCA of Carlisle and Cumberland County was granted $1,500 to expand their Harvest Bounty: Community Garden and Sustainability Club program.
Central Pennsylvania Conservancy of Carlisle was given $1,000 to host a Land Conservation Forum to educate local leaders and conservationists on the benefits of land conservation.
Restore the Wittlinger Group of Boiling Springs was awarded $500 to plant native wildflowers, trees, and shrubs in Wittlinger Nature Preserve as part of the Wittlinger Fall Planting.
LadyBug EarthCare of Dillsburg was given $1,000 for The Loveliness Program, a mentorship program training a new generation of gardeners to promote pollinators and wildlife.
“We can’t wait to see these projects come to life!” says SMP program manager Julia Chain. “The projects funded through our Mini and Flex Grant programs represent a rich tapestry of organizations and volunteers doing great work across the region. We are so proud to amplify our partners’ capacity through this funding.”