Recommendations and Notes

After first ruling out incomplete applications, non-501(c)3 charities, and non-local charities, I had my hands full. I basically used the criteria of best impact to narrow it down… some charities I would love to have an impact with, but if the impact was vague, or included funds that would simply have to be raised again next year, I cut them. This helped me immensely in such a tough decision.  However, there was still some vagueness, for instance – is a 3-year impact long or short-term? The next criteria I used was if the organization seemed to have a specific idea in mind about how to use our money. Lastly, I picked organizations in education since that was our class issue area. That may not be exactly fair, but there were so many good ones I had to do something. We can tell organizations that we identified education as the greatest need and their organization didn’t fall into it. I do have emotions and some of the organizations below may not fit perfectly into what I have just said, in those cases it means that I saw that the need was great in our area.

My last comment would be that there seems to be several instances where $2500 or less can FULLY meet the need. I would love to FULLY meet the need of 4 places (because I realize that arbitrarily dividing up the money just so we don’t feel bad isn’t a good idea). This just seems to be a year where there are some smaller needs, and I would love to impact those, rather than the bigger, “defraying” grants.

EPAC

--good expense budget

--EPAC has assisted many local school and community theater groups by providing costumes, props, and scenery for their shows at little or no charge for their productions

--currently collaborating with BU students

IMPACT: replacing computers may be put off because the volunteers see the kids as a greater need, they can “deal” with the slow computers, however a staff member should not have a computer that is crashing in the middle of their hard work, should not have a lag or wait for start-up. Exact amount for an iMac desktop = about $1500

Family Enrichment Network

--from Vision Statement on webpage: When advocating for the implementation of services, we are supportive of existing or potential providers while avoiding duplication of services.

--huge variety of programs

IMPACT: clear difference between without our money (indoor learning) and with our money (outdoor learning), cuts due to financial crisis, other programs have been maintained

Boys and Girls Club

--address multiple issues areas – POVERTY and COMPLIMENTARY EDUCATION

--holistic approach (nutrition, exercise, college assistance, hw helps, etc.)

Some staff members have been at the Club for decades and still regularly stay after hours and come in on weekends for no extra pay. They pay out of their own pocket for program supplies.

IMPACT: computers – inability to efficiently provide service if computers are running slow (I know I personally struggled with my own HW ‘til I got a new laptop in October)

Baseball field – offer a new service

Art and Fun Club supplies – will run out

SOS Shelter

--actively changing and adapting program, seeking out grants

IMPACT: cover areas not covered, provide women with safety, URGENT need (6 months), fully cover cost, lasts a while

YWCA

IMPACT: --WOMENS ISSUES and EDUCATION and POVERTY

--finish a playground that was supposed to be finished upon completion, but not enough funds were received

Catholic Charities

The Teen Transitional Living Program (TTLP) is the only supportive housing program for homeless youth in Broome County.

IMPACT: jumpstart a program that will become self-sufficient through profits

Discovery Center

In a time when educational practice is heavily focused on preparing children for standardized testing, play-based learning expands a child’s educational experience to include visual, tactile and kinesthetic learning opportunities.  Experiential play encourages the promotion of abstract thinking and creativity with a deep conceptual understanding that can be translated into life skills that prepare a child for future academic success.

IMPACT: new exhibit for 3 years, exact cost: 2500

Kopernik Observatory

IMPACT: prevent a $25,000 piece of equipment from being damaged for $1500, allow summer activities to go on