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National Life gives grants to local groups
December 1, 2007MONTPELIER - More than 100 nonprofit organizations in Central Vermont received operating and program grants from the National Life Group Charitable Foundation in its first year of operation.
"National Life has been rooted in the Central Vermont community for 157 years," said Tom MacLeay, foundation board chair and National Life president and CEO. "Those roots have allowed our business to grow and flourish. We believe strongly that we have a responsibility to give back to the region that has given us so much."
Although National Life has been making donations to local nonprofits for many years, establishment of the charitable foundation marks a formal commitment to ongoing support of local organizations. It also establishes a structure and clear process for applicants.
According to Martha Trombley Oakes, foundation president, more than $350,000 in awards were made in the FY 06-07 fiscal year. "There are so many wonderful organizations providing needed services in this region," said Trombley Oakes. "It's a privilege to be able to support the work that these groups do."
Among the organizations that benefited were: Kellogg Hubbard Library; Kids on the Block Camp Ta-Kum-Ta; Central Vermont Community Land Trust; Central Vermont Adult Basic Education; Family Center of Washington County; Vermont Children's Aid Society; People's Health and Wellness Clinic; Vermont Humanities Council.
Trombley Oakes said that funding priorities for 2007 FY 07-08 will focus on organizations that improve the quality of life for young Vermonters, including programs that work with at-risk youth.
The foundation's first mission is to support nonprofits in the Central Vermont area; however, applications from groups elsewhere in Vermont are considered if they can demonstrate benefit throughout the state.
For more information visit www.nlgcf.com. A complete listing of grant awards is also available there.
This article was originally published in the Strictly Business section of the Times Argus on December 1, 2007.