Grant funding

The Foundation issues Requests for Proposals (RFP) on a regular basis. In general, grants range from $200 - $1,000, with the bulk of funded grants in the $300 - $600 range. In addition, a limited number of small grants are made at the discretion of the Foundation's Board of Directors.

To add your non-profit organization to our mailing list to receive RFP’s and other grant funding information, contact us.

Grant funding

EDWARD J SUMMERTON URGENT NEEDS FUND

The Edward J. Summerton Urgent Needs Fund (the “EJ SUN” Fund) is a restricted funding resource established to provide timely assistance to children with special needs and children at risk of child abuse whose urgent needs cannot wait for consideration during the Foundation’s regular grant funding cycle.

Small grants of up to $300.00 are made at the discretion of the Foundation’s Board of Directors and are disbursed through a third party on behalf of the child in need. In many cases, funds can be made available within a few days. Donations to the Foundation can be designated specifically for this Fund and are tax-deductible as allowable by law.

Edward J. Summerton, for whom this Fund is named, was a lifelong educator, father of 7 and grandfather of 15, who believed that it is the responsibility of every adult to ensure that no child’s critical needs go unmet. Whether through donations of time, money, goods or services, he believed that we all have something we can give to children in need, to nurture them through a crisis and give them hope for their future.

Over the years of raising their family, Ed and his wife, Peggy, always made room in their home and hearts for children in crisis or at risk. At the end of his 40-year career in education, Ed returned to the classroom to teach for two years at a school for exceptional children. The classroom was where his love of teaching began and helping children with special needs was where his heart had always been.

Ed Summerton died in 1996 at age 81. The Edward J. Summerton Urgent Needs Fund was established in May, 2001, to commemorate the 5th anniversary of his death and, more importantly, to honor the principles by which he lived. As Kevin’s grandfather, Ed had many dreams for Kevin. We believe that this would have been one of them.

To review or download the application form for an Edward J. Summerton Urgent Needs Fund grant, click here.

”GIVE FAMILIES A BREAK” MINI-grants

“Give Families a Break” was developed in 2006 to provide respite for overburdened and overwhelmed parents before they reach the breaking point, as well as to provide opportunities for positive interaction through activities that strengthen the family as a whole. The “Give Families A Break” project will take referrals from and disburse mini-grants of up to $150 through third-party providers such as school counselors, private therapists, mental health and social service workers or other professionals working with families.

To review or download the application form for a “Give Families a Break” mini-grant, click here.