The Creswell City Council contracted with Creswell First! to evaluate applications for city funding to non-profit organizations that serve Creswell citizens and to make funding decisions that most effectively improve the lives of our citizens. For use in 2024 the city provided $21,000 for distribution.
Creswell First! sent grant award information to non-profit organizations and schools in late October 2023 and the board of Creswell First! then reviewed the applications and made funding decisions in early December 2023 for use in 2024.
Community Service Projects 2024
Community Food for Creswell
The Creswell Food Pantry asked for funds for containers for food, gloves, supplies. The total request of $3,000 was approved.
Hope and Saftey Alliance
Provide basic needs to those men and women seeking to escape domestic violence. Survivors need things such as food, utilities, household items, rental assistance, as well as assistance with emergency services and safety planning and needs. Lock changes, security camera, auto repair and temporary safe housing in a hotel. Funding was requested at $3,000 and was approved and funded.
The Clubhouse provides after school and summer programs for 50 to 60 students. The Clubhouse has moved to the Cobalt Activity Center where they have expanded facilities. Funds from this grant will provide staff costs, supplies, and scholarships for families that cannot afford the full costs of the program. A grant award of $3,000 was approved.
Creswell Family Relief Nursery
The Creswell Relief Nursery asked for funds to help low-income families with needs like diapers and grocery cards. The request for $3,000 and was approved and funded.
Caring for Creswell Kids
Caring for Creswell Kids requested funds to help purchase tennis shoes for Creswell children in need of shoes. The request for $1,200 was approved and funded.
Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center’s goal is to assist families with school age children by connecting them with helpful resources. For these children to be successful in school, basic needs such as food, shelter, electricity, and transportation. Many of these families can’t afford these basic needs and the Resource Center connects them with outside agencies. They also fill in the gaps with their own funding. Creswell First! approved and funded the Resource Center’s request of $2,500 to help with families with fees, gas, and utilities.
Parent/Teachers Org
This group requested funds for purchasing a projector and screen for the elementary school gym. $3000 was requested. $1,000 was approved for funding.
Creswell Heritage Foundation
The schoolhouse, which had been part of a renovation and restoration project, requested funds for use in purchasing kitchen appliances. The request of $2,000 was approved.
IRC (Intergenerational Reading Collaboration
Children from low-income families lack early interactions that lead to language development, including being read to and access to books in the home. New data show that children from low-income families have one-fourth the vocabulary of children from wealthier homes. The IRC proposed installing a book vending machine that had proven to successfully excite students to be able to obtain books of their choosing to bring to their own homes. The IRC application for $3,000 to purchase and install a book vending machine was approved.
Community Sharing
This fund is used for helping low-income families with their water bills. An award of $3,000 was approved.