FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Jane M. Silva, Director of Programs
Fort Wayne Community Foundation 
260.426.4083

March 18, 2003

GRANTS OF $327,062.40 TO LOCAL AGENCIES IN THE FIRST QUARTER FROM THE PAUL CLARKE FOUNDATION

At its February 20, 2003, meeting, the Directors of The Paul Clarke Foundation approved 12 grants totaling $327,062.40.

A grant of $32,076 was made to the Wayne Township Trustee Office for the 2003 Computer Explorers Program.  The Computer Explorers Program has been designed to teach and inspire inner city children about computer technology and how it applies to their world.  The children are taught a wide variety of computer skills through hands-on and creative learning.  Through educational software and local fieldtrips, the children learn how computer technology relates to the world around them.  The children are exposed to topics in nature, health, culture, history, arts, geography, urban planning, and technology.

Additional Paul Clarke Foundation grants awarded include:

• AIDS Task Force: $44,728 for the Youth Empowerment Program
• Black College Alumni Association: $8,000 for the Annual College Tour Program
• Euell A. Wilson Center, Inc.: $1,700 for operating support.
• Faith United Methodist Church: $20,900 for the Cooper Center K.I.D.Z. Club Neighborhood Involvement Program
• Fort Wayne Women’s Bureau: $30,250 for the Transitions Program
• Friends of Bethany, Inc.: $54,500 for operating support
• Genesis Outreach, Inc.: $30,000 for the Family Reunification and Self-sufficiency Program
• Gingerbread House: $24,759.40 for salaries, payroll taxes and staff training
• Indiana Development House, Inc.:  $51,749 for the “Lifeguard” Program
• InterVarsity Christian Fellowship: $3,400 for the Fort Wayne Urban Internship 2003 Program
• Youth for Christ:  $25,000 for the Every Kid Everywhere Capital Campaign

(For more specific information on the above, please contact the organizations.)

The Paul Clarke Foundation was incorporated in 1992 to manage a major gift from Paul Clarke, who served as the Fort Wayne Community Foundation’s Executive Director from 1972-1984. Funds from the Clarke Foundation are to help disadvantaged youth and their families, with a primary focus on the inner-city of Fort Wayne. Assets of the Clarke Foundation currently total more than $11,000,000.    

Quarterly applications can be obtained for The Paul Clarke Foundation by contacting the
Fort Wayne Community Foundation at 426-4083, or visit our website at http://www.fwcfoundation.org/ and click on the grant opportunities link. The next due date for applications is May 1, 2003.

Fort Wayne Community Foundation
701 South Clinton Street, Suite 210    Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802
Phone: 260-426-4083     Fax: 260-424-0114