Tillotson Menlo Charitable Foundation Grant Applications Available

The Tillotson Menlo Charitable Foundation will begin accepting grant applications for 2018 on Monday, September 24th with the deadline for entry of Friday, October 26th.

The Foundation began in 2005 with a $1,000,000 donation from Tillotson Corporation and over the next five years the Tillotson Corporation contributed an additional $9,000,000 to the Foundation.  The amount of grant money is generally determined by the amount of interest accrued each year on the principle amount in the foundation account.

According to the Tillotson Menlo Charitable Foundation’s mission statement, “the Foundation shall seek to support, promote, improve and maintain the health, educational and cultural institutions serving the citizens of Menlo and Chattooga County and some surrounding areas”.

The Foundation intends to further its purpose by awarding financial assistance grants in the following areas:  educational and individual skills improvement; healthcare; economic development; community enhancement; individual and human development; the arts, culture and social welfare; and environmental improvement.

Over the past twelve years a total of $4,425,897 has been awarded to provide funds for 525 worthwhile projects.

The foundation’s board members include Theresa Canada, Menlo; Mark Pickle, Menlo; Jon Payne, Summerville; Robert McWhorter, Summerville; Arch Farrar, Summerville; Eddie Robertson, Centre, Ala.; Jeffrey Richardson, Cedar Bluff, Ala.; Bill Alico, Buffalo, New York; and Janet Tillotson Munchak, Roswell, GA.  Carol Mitchell, Menlo serves as Administrative Coordinator for the Foundation.

The awarding of grants began in the fall of 2006 when 18 grants were issued for a total of $119,688.  In 2007 there were 27 grants totaling $167,682, in 2008 there were 32 grants totaling $176,981, in 2009 there were 43 grants totaling $313,940 and in 2010 there were 46 grants totaling $431,957, in 2011 there were 60 grants totaling $455,536, in 2012 there were 45 grants totaling $465,381, in 2013 there were 52 grants totaling $456,338, in 2014 there were 49 grants totaling $499, 328, in 2015 there were 48 grants totaling $466,467, in 2016 there were 52 grants totaling $410,434 and last year there were 53 grants totaling $462,165.  The foundation hopes to award grants for 2018 and encourages all eligible groups and organizations to apply.

Organizations recognized as tax exempt under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible to apply for these grants, as well as other public agencies.  Please note this year all 501(c)(3) organizations are required to attach written verification of their current tax-exempt status.    Those organizations not generally eligible for support are religious programs, individuals and start-up organizations.

All applicants should be aware any previous version of the grant application will not be accepted.  Any questions regarding the grant process should be directed to the Foundation’s Administrative Coordinator, Carol Mitchell.  Blank applications can be picked up at Menlo City Hall Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

All applications must be received in hand by the Tillotson Menlo Charitable Foundation’s Administrative Coordinator Carol Mitchell by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 26, 2018.  The recipients of the grants will be announced in December of this year.