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Representatives from grant-winning organizations: Lafayette Community Garden, Food Bank, Generations in Jazz, Town Hall Theatre, Lafayette Library and Learning Center, Interfaith Council, Las Trampas, Lamorinda Adult Respite Care, Spirit Van, Gold Coast Chamber Players, along with Board Members Sereta Churchill and Kathy Bowles. Photo Cathy Tyson
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It's not surprising why the Lafayette Community Foundation is so popular. The foundation, now in its 15th year, began with the sole purpose of raising funds for the spectacular Lafayette Library and Learning Center, ultimately securing over $12 million for the project.
Currently the LCF hands out generous grants twice per year to local non-profit organizations, large and small, that serve a wide array of needs in the area. They have given away more than $300,000. The group takes its mission seriously, investing in programs and projects that promote and enhance the civic, cultural, educational and environmental health of Lafayette.
In a first-ever afternoon event to celebrate all the recipients, one lucky winner, Janet Thomas representing the Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center, proudly announced when they got the call, "we started digging." The lovely garden that was once a patch of dead dirt near the entrance to the Lafayette Reservoir is now thriving. What had been a very labor-intense manual watering effort will be replaced with a much more efficient timed drip irrigation system, thanks to a $2,000 grant from the LCF.
Grant chair Kathy Bowles explained, "Our donations come from community members, along with the Garage Tour and participating in the Taste of Lafayette. I urge you to support us so we can continue to support you." Despite the temperature on a record breaking day, a parade of very thankful recipients came forward to graciously accept their checks. From Generations in Jazz, which received funds to replace its aging audio speakers and microphones, to Lamorinda Adult Respite Care Center that provides care and activities for memory-impaired participants, and Town Hall Theatre for the purchase of stage lighting, a total of 10 non-profit organizations received checks from the LCF.
The foundation received 23 grant requests this cycle. "It's a bit frustrating that we don't have the money to fund everyone who applies," said LCF volunteer Matt Geiser. For more information, go to www.lafayettecf.org.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA