Petaluma Community Foundation Gives $125K in Grants to Local Groups

Ten Petaluma organizations are set to receive a total of $125,000 in grants from the Petaluma Community Foundation to support them in their work to improve the lives of local children, families and seniors.

“The needs of our community have grown dramatically over the years and the need for a community foundation solely focused on supporting a wider range of social and philanthropic efforts in Petaluma and south Sonoma County is more important now than it has ever been,” said Dr. Fred Groverman, a founding member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

 The grantees include:

• :  $17, 072 to be used to support the Smart Moves summer program for youth, ages 6 to 15

• :  $20,000 to be used to support the Children’s Program for families in the Family Transitional Housing

• :  $10,000 to be used to support the riding program for at-risk children from southern Sonoma County

• Hope Counseling Services:  $10,000 to be used to provide free or reduced fee counseling services

• :  $10,000 to be used to support the Mentor Center at La Tercera Elementary School

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):  $5,000 to conduct support groups and education courses for people with mental health challenges and their families in Petaluma

• Petaluma Bounty:  $10,000 for general operating support for the Bounty Farm and programs
• :  $5,000 for a collaborative partnership to fund the Fitness for Life:  Healthy Lifestyles program at Petaluma Junior High School
• :  $13,928 for general operating support for affordable housing, supportive services and emergency aid for low-income seniors
• :  $24,000 for general operating support for the network of services to seniors and to replace the water heater at the Senior Center.

Petaluma Community Foundation is a public charity that began in 1975 and since then has donated more than $4 million in grants to local community groups. It will be hosting a community celebration in honor of the 2011 community beneficiaries from 7:30-9a.m., Friday, April 8th at the , 1500 Country Club Drive.