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It took six years, but kids in Viola, Idaho, now have a place to play.
The Moscow-Pullman Daily News reports on the recently completed playground at the Viola Community Center, a large, red barn-style building that's been used for everything from weddings to community theater to dances.
"We have recognized for years that a gathering place for all ages is needed for any community to stay connected," says the board president of the center, which opened in 2018.
But with plans for the center moving along and playground equipment purchased in 2016, the Viola Community Club's board of directors wondered, "What if we added a playground?" That's when Realtor Bill Hall came up with the idea for a Placemaker grant, awarded by the National Association of Realtors to help communities transform spaces.
The grant application was successful, and $5,000 was given to the Latah Board of Realtors to help Viola complete the project.
The project was done with as much volunteer work as possible, which takes time: "Volunteer work comes after other life commitments, which slows the process and makes certain tasks like pouring concrete in the middle of a weekday a real sacrifice for those who step up to help," says the board president.
Selected Grant News Headlines
A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.
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Foundation: Whitefish Community Foundation
"Through our collective efforts, we're not just providing financial support, but we're investing in Montana's vitality and resilience." That from Mike Smith, president of Glacier Bank, which...more
If you're looking for a way to boost your community's sense of place, researchers at Gustavson University in Sweden have just the thing. They've developed a set of five principles that community...more
Seri Roth is an entrepreneur "with a passion for empowering communities and fostering positive change," according to her website. She's just launched Boston Queers, an online directory and...more
The new president of the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tenn., says he'll bring a "keen appreciation for the arts and Appalachian history" to the job, the Knoxville News Sentinel...more
Google is teaming up with Rice University to create a Houston-area startup accelerator, the Houston Chronicle reports. The accelerator will focus on the "Internet of Things," with a particular...more
"We want homes that last longer than eight to 10 years," says Avra van der Zee, COO of Hawaii-based nonprofit Elemental Excelerator, which has teamed up with New Orleans' Finance New Orleans to...more
When Jude Chinedu heard Chisimdi Okoh talk about how he wanted to change the world, he thought it would be a good idea to do something about it. And so he founded the Power of One Initiative, a...more
Foundation: Boston Foundation, Cambridge Community Foundation
Geeta Pradhan is the president of the Cambridge Community Foundation in Massachusetts, and in 2024 she'll become the state's outstanding woman of the year. That's thanks to her work to fight...more
"We are seeing positive, tangible outcomes for grant recipients working to boost their capacity and impact for programs and services that are vital to those in need." Those are the words of the...more
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