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Community Foundation pitches expanded grant cycles, long-term tornado recovery and a local COAD
Summary
Representatives from the Community Foundation told the Winchester City Council about new grant cycles funded by Lily Endowment’s Gift Phase 9, local funds that paid for the city splash pad and animal-shelter improvements, and plans to form a COAD (community organization active in disaster) to strengthen long-term recovery readiness.
Representatives of the Community Foundation described plans to expand grant cycles and deepen partnerships with Winchester and Randolph County, saying recent and planned grants support capital projects, the animal shelter and downtown improvements.
"We do strive to be a partner in the community," a foundation representative said, introducing the group’s work on grantmaking, donor services and community convening. Grant Cox, the foundation’s scholarships and community development officer, told the council the long-term tornado recovery effort has closed "over 400 cases" and that remaining funds will stay in the foundation for future disasters.
The presenters outlined how Gift Phase 9 from the Lilly Endowment is supporting the foundation’s work. They said Gift Phase 9 enables the foundation to add a capital-projects grant cycle later this year, expand other grant cycles, and increase support for their "former funders" initiative that helps cultivate sustained local philanthropy.
The foundation also described a locally designated "wings" fund that made the splash pad project possible and fund contributions to animal-shelter heating and ventilation improvements; they said $5,000 recently supported downtown beautification work.
Staff asked the council to consider partnership opportunities such as letters of support for grant applications, collaboration on community planning and participation in the foundation’s "cultivating community" action groups (topics include arts, mental health, trails, communications and community gardens). Cox said the foundation expects to recruit a COAD — a community organization active in disaster — to coordinate local long-term recovery planning and training.
Council members thanked the presenters and signaled interest in follow-up. One councilor noted the city has benefited from the foundation’s donations and asked staff to continue discussing possible collaborations.
The foundation left council with a pledge to follow up with grant and partnership details; no formal action was requested or taken at the meeting.
