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Horizon Foundation Announces Half Million Dollar Safety Net Support Program - Foundation Challenges Community To Give Generously During The Holiday Season

Challenging local residents and businesses to "give generously to Howard County nonprofit organizations in a time of need," Horizon Foundation President & CEO Richard M. Krieg today announced a $500,000 Safety Net Support Program.

Half of this amount will be awarded to six "safety net" providers: the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, FIRN, Health Alliance, STTAR Center, the Domestic Violence Center and the Howard County office of Family and Children's Services of Central Maryland. The other half will be given to the organizations as part of a matching gift challenge to the broader community.

"Whether its people losing their jobs, those out on the street, domestic violence, sexual trauma, or just plain hard times, we depend on these six organizations when the going gets tough," Krieg said. "Now times are very tough for them, and we're hopeful that others will step forward to help."

The Foundation's Safety Net Support Program was the outgrowth of an intensive review of the six non-profits. Krieg and Anne Towne, Executive Director of the Association of Community Services, jointly convened sessions with the leadership of the recipient organizations.

In determining anticipated needs during a time of economic downturn, board and staff members were interviewed and on site visits made of organizational operations. "The overwhelming findings are certainly that the non-profits are well run, juggling lots of demands and working creatively to find replacement funding for funding lost," Towne said.

In order to encourage community giving, the Foundation is setting aside approximately $250,000 for use as matching funds for individual, corporate and other donations.

Krieg noted that across the country, 75.8 percent of all dollars given to philanthropic causes come from individuals and not foundations. "In a county like Howard, at this time of the year, we hope that many will increase their financial support or donate for the first time to one or more of these lifeline organizations."

The initial grants will increase the capacity of the six organizations to weather the challenges that surround them, Krieg said. These threats include reductions in state grants and United Way cutbacks. In addition, the indirect effects of state cuts to public agencies include pressure on the County 's nonprofits to fill the gaps in service.

Under the Safety Net Support Program, the following grants were made:

Domestic Violence Center - $75,000 to fund client services coordination, computer and communications upgrades and fund raising consultation.

Family and Children's Services of Central Maryland - $20,000 to purchase an automated billing system.

FIRN - $47,000 to support volunteer coordination and management consulting.

Grassroots - $9,000 to support computer upgrades.

Health Alliance - $14,500 to fund eyeglasses and medical testing supplies.

STTAR - $41,000 to purchase office equipment.

The Horizon Foundation addresses health and wellness issues through strategic grantmaking, community initiatives, and partnerships with private and public institutions. It is a community health foundation that takes a broad view of health. The Foundation is committed to helping build a healthy and resilient community in Howard County, MD.