Pokagon Fund makes grants totaling $1,015,500 in April

New Buffalo, MI, - The Pokagon Fund announced the funding of eight projects in April totaling $1,015,500.

The Pokagon Fund began funding grant proposals in November 2007, and since that time has funded 38 projects totaling $1,883,534. Grant funding supports initiatives in the fields of health, human services, art, education, recreation and environment.

$506,000 will be awarded to the City of New Buffalo for Improvements to Oselka Park, near the New Buffalo High School..

In 2005 the City of New Buffalo implemented a Parks and Recreation Master Plan based on a survey of its residents. The survey prioritized objectives many of which will be met by this project. A new multi-use pavilion will be constructed with restrooms, concessions, and a covered picnic area. The project will also include reconstruction of the soccer field into a multi-use field, including a softball field, as well as the creation of a new little league baseball field, fencing and irrigation system.

The Pokagon Fund has pledged $460,000 in matching funds to New Buffalo Township for improvements to Memorial Park. New Buffalo Township has applied for grant funding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for the improvements of Memorial Park. If they are awarded the MDNR grant, The Pokagon Fund has committed to provide matching funding for this project. Improvements to Memorial Park include a universally accessible playground and splash pad, concrete walkways, trails, bridges, basketball court and ice rink, sand volleyball court, additional restrooms and more.

$10,000 will be awarded to Animal Lovers, Inc., for a spay/neuter program for dogs and cats. Spaying and neutering of dogs and cats decreases the number of animals euthanized or displaced each year. With this grant funding, Animal Lovers, Inc. will provide services to the people of New Buffalo, Chikaming and Three Oaks Townships, and will provide low cost or free spaying and neutering to individuals of low income. Since the organization was created in 2004, over 2100 cats and dogs have benefited from Animal Lover’s spay/neuter program.

$10,000 will be awarded to Berrien County Cancer Services for Nursing Care and Support Services. With this grant funding the Berrien County Cancer Services will provide skilled nursing care to cancer patients in-home or at the workplace in the townships of New Buffalo, Three Oaks and Chikaming. Services provided include doctor ordered lab draws, maintaining intravenous ports, changing surgical dressings, and the loan of medical equipment.

$5,500 will be awarded to the Berrien County Health Department for the purchase of equipment for the Three Oaks office. Grant funding will cover the purchase of office furniture, upgraded computers, temperature probes, portable freezers and sensaphones -- monitoring devices that notify office personnel if the temperature of the freezers storing vaccinations falls below a safe level.

$6,000 will be awarded to the New Buffalo Service League to underwrite six - $1,000 scholarships for high school seniors entering college. The New Buffalo Service League has a long history of supporting higher education by providing scholarships to local students. Grant funding will double the number of scholarships the Service League will be able to provide to the class of 2008.

$15,000 will be awarded to Junior Achievement of Michiana to support their program, Preparing Young People for a Financially Stable Future. This program will be implemented in the River Valley, Chikaming, and New Buffalo schools at the grade school and middle school level. The programs teach children the concepts of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workplace readiness.

Up to $3,000 will be awarded to local nonprofit organizations during the Umbrellas of Harbert event. The Umbrellas of Harbert brings public awareness to the town of Harbert. The event also raises money for local charities. The Pokagon Fund will provide a 1:1 match to the local charities receiving contributions during this event.

The mission of The Pokagon Fund is to enhance the lives of the people in the New Buffalo region. Requests for funding can be submitted at any time, and the Board of Directors meets monthly to review grant applications. The Pokagon Fund is a private foundation supported by 2% of the electronic gaming revenue from the Four Winds Casino.

Ten percent of all funding from The Pokagon Fund supports the communities in and around Pokagon Band land trusts in Dowagiac, Hartford, and North Liberty. The remaining 90% of all funds support the municipalities and nonprofit organizations providing programs in the Townships of New Buffalo, Chikaming, and Three Oaks, and cities and villages within those townships. Please refer to The Pokagon Fund web site, www.pokagonfund.org to learn more about the projects we fund and review the grant application guidelines.