The Chatham Fund Awards $7,000

The Chatham Fund of The Cape Cod Foundation announced $7,000 in grants awarded this spring, bringing the total awards from The Chatham Fund to more than $40,000 in its three years of grantmaking.  The Chatham Fund was established in partnership with The Cape Cod Foundation to provide the benefits of a community foundation within the local community of Chatham. The Chatham Fund supports nonprofits that are responsive to community needs and opportunities, work in collaboration with others, think innovatively in their solutions and work strategically to enhance the quality of life in Chatham.

This year, the focus of The Chatham Fund is to support projects and programs that address hunger, children’s needs, the environment, and other social issues impacting people in the Chatham community. “The mission of The Chatham Fund is to improve and enrich the quality of life in Chatham,” said Chris Rhinesmith, Chair of The Chatham Fund.  “We are excited to continue growing and employing our resources to assist community organizations that provide needed services and programs to Chatham residents, including organizations outside our town limits.”

Spring 2016 Chatham Fund Grants:

Lower Cape Outreach Council, $2,000

To support emergency mortgage, rent & shelter costs for Chatham residents. It is more cost effective and more humane to prevent homelessness rather than to provide emergency services to people once the home is lost. Lower Cape Outreach Council helps renters and homeowners catch up with delinquent mortgage and rent payments by providing emergency financial assistance. In 2015, Lower Cape Outreach Council provided emergency financial assistance for 141 client households in the Town of Chatham.

Homeless Prevention Council, $2,000

To support the “spring start-up” and “summer safety” programs designed specifically to assist Chatham residents who are clients of the Homeless Prevention Council (HPC) so they don’t become at-risk for homelessness.  The “spring start-up” program will provide help with payment on electric and/or fuel bills.  The “summer safety” program will assist Chatham families who struggle to meet the increased food costs when their children are no longer in school where they’ve eaten breakfast and/or lunch during the week.

HopeHealth, $2,000

To support an Alzheimer’s Education Series for family caregivers in Chatham. Ninety-minute meetings give caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia (ADRD) a supportive opportunity to share experiences, receive direction on care planning for their loved one and learn strategies for self-care. This program will inform and engage Chatham ADRD caregivers to manage the changes their loved ones are experiencing, while also ensuring that they are fully aware of all community resources available to help them – including other Hope Dementia free services. Following the series, participants will be invited to join the ongoing Chatham ADRD support group.

The Family Pantry of Cape Cod, $1,000

To support the food program for Chatham residents. In 2015, 127 Chatham households used the services of The Family Pantry of Cape Cod.  These households consisted of 294 people including 92 children. In addition, Chatham residents are offered clothing at no charge from the boutique located at the pantry and assistance with enrollment for fuel assistance, SNAP and health insurance.

The Chatham Fund is a permanent endowment of The Cape Cod Foundation, a community foundation whose mission is to build permanent charitable resources for community betterment through informed grantmaking and civic leadership. The Foundation has distributed more than $55 million in grants and scholarships since its founding in 1989.