By The Informer Staff

 Nine local organizations will receive $5,000 in grants through the Derby Community Foundation’s most recent round of Community Enrichment Grants. 

Grants were awarded in June to the following:

Derby Recreation Commission was awarded $1,000 for the Unsinkables, a water safety program for all Derby Public Schools second grade students.

Operation Holiday Derby was presented $850. This grant will assist with the purchase of food items distributed through Operation Holiday to Derby area families.

Operation Back-to-School by Derby Community Family Services has received $850. This project will assist with providing backpacks full of school supplies to Derby area students.

Pleasantview Elementary School will receive $800. This grant will be used to send second through fifth grade students to a live musical performance.

Derby Community Marketing received $500 for December in Derby, a winter festival the first weekend in December. Funds will be used to assist with the rental fee for a synthetic ice skating rink.

Youthville was awarded $400 as a Foster Fund for Derby. This grant will help fund expenses for foster families in the Derby area.  

Cooper Elementary School received $200 for school supplies to be given to students who are in need of assistance.

Quivira Council Boy Scouts of America was given $200 for Derby Scoutreach. Scoutreach is a program of the Boy Scouts which emphasizes service and leadership in rural and urban areas and to minority scouts.

Girl Scouts of the Kansas Heartland received $200 for a Girl Scout recruitment event at Rock River Rapids.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide funds to assist with the community enrichment projects,” said Betty Wilken, chairperson and CEO of the Derby Community Foundation. “One of the goals of community foundations is to direct funds back to the community. Funds raised at our annual event are channeled back into the community through this grant program.”

Community Enrichment Grants are awards of up to $1,000 made to grassroots non-profits and government entities doing innovative and meaningful work. 

“The Derby Community Foundation is in the business of helping people help others,” said Theresa Hearn, DCF executive director. “Through our grant program we are able to help the 200-plus generous Derby residents who attend our fundraising event to extend their hand to others in our community who are doing great work.”

The foundation will award up to $10,000 annually in two cycles per year using a competitive application process. The deadline for the next cycle of Community Enrichment Grants is Nov. 22.  Application forms and grant guidelines are available on the foundation’s website, www.derbycf.org.