Applicants sought for Sprout Seed Award
Individuals and groups with ideas to help the community but no cash are encouraged to apply for a Sprout Seed Award.
“We’re looking to help innovative new programming where a small amount of funding can make an impact in a very big way,” said Sprout funding programs manager Mac Howison.
The Sprout Fund, based out of Pittsburgh, recently announced its expansion into Fayette and Greene counties.
Sprout officials held a brainstorming session with private citizens and leaders from community organizations, coalitions and nonprofit groups Wednesday at the Fayette Chamber of Commerce office in Uniontown.
Another session for Greene County representatives will be held from, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Greene County Education Center of Westmoreland County Community College, EverGreene Technology Park, located on Progress Drive in Waynesburg.
Those planning to attend the Waynesburg event should RSVP to seedaward@sproutfund.org.
Howison said Sprout Seed Awards provide financial awards of $500 to $5,000 to people and groups who demonstrate the drive and determination to propose and execute new civic and cultural initiatives relevant to their community.
In addition to funding incorporated entities, Sprout can make awards to people, informal working groups and even some businesses.
Applicants should propose activities that have a primary target audience in Fayette and/or Greene counties.
Howison said the Sprout Fund will grant a total of $25,000 through two rounds of Seed Award funding announced in April and June.
The first round of applications is due by 5 p.m. April 1 and second round applications are due June 3.
Decisions will be announced about five weeks later, Howison said.
Clara L. Pascoe, executive director of the Community Foundation of Fayette County, said she was pleased with the large turnout at Wednesday’s event and encouraged those in attendance to draft and submit an application.
Program support for Seed Awards in Fayette and Greene counties is provided, in part, by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and the Community Foundation of Fayette County.
For more information on the program, or to schedule a private meeting with a Sprout Fund staff member, call 412-325-0646 or visit www.sproutfund.org to download an application.