Arizona

The Arizona Community Foundation has announced the appointment of Lorenzo Chavez as executive director, education and scholarships, effective March 14. He succeeds Joy Klein, who is joining Friends of the Children as executive director. For the past eight years, Chavez has worked at Arizona State University, most recently as associate vice president of community outreach and partnerships, and he previously served at other universities in the state.

California

The County of Santa Barbara, the California Office of the Small Business Advocate, and the Santa Barbara Foundation have announced the launch of the Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, which will award more than $500,000. Applications will be accepted starting March 7 and reviewed on a rolling basis until the fund is exhausted. Eligible microbusinesses that were adversely impacted by the coronavirus may apply for up to $2,500 in funding. Complete applications may be submitted to the Santa Barbara Foundation via online portal or mail but will not be accepted via email or fax. They will be time- and date-stamped on a first-come, first-served basis.

Illinois

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois in Peoria has announced the establishment of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois (RMHCCI) Fund, which will provide support for the local Ronald McDonald House. The foundation will invest the initial endowment from RMHCCI so the fund will grow over time, while also administering an annual grant distribution to RMHCCI.

Louisiana

The Greater New Orleans Foundation has announced renewal grants totaling $1 million to 31 Black-led organizations as part of its Greater Together Fund for Racial Equity. These grants provide support to organizations that provide leadership in eliminating inequitable systems and building wealth for African-American families. To date, the fund has awarded a total of $2.45 million to Black-led nonprofits as part of its commitment to distribute $3 million over three years.

Maine

The Maine Community Foundation has announced the appointment of Deborah Ellwood as its president and CEO, effective at the end of June. For the past 12 years, Ellwood has led CFLeads, a Boston-based national network of community foundations.

North Carolina

The Foundation for Black Philanthropy, an affiliate of the Foundation for the Carolinas, has announced grants totaling $40,000 to eight local nonprofits as part of its 2022 grantmaking cycle. Recipients include Aspire Community Capital, Care Ring, Money Magnet Club, and She Built This City.

Oklahoma

The Oklahoma City Community Foundation has announced the first recipients of its OKCGetsFit grants to improve Oklahoma City’s ranking as the unhealthiest city in America. Established last year, the OKCGetsFit grant program is dedicated to inspiring residents to engage in fun, physical activities that will improve overall community health and wellness. The five recipients are the American Lung Association, Girls on the Run Central Oklahoma, Love Grow Live, Oklahoma Humane Society, and Positive Tomorrows.

Pennsylvania

The Exposure Artist program, a new arts funding initiative at the Pittsburgh Foundation, has awarded a first round of twelve grants totaling $215,000. The grants included $130,000 in support for individual artists and collectives; $70,000 in transformative justice grants to Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) artists working at the intersection of art and activism; and $15,000 to artists who have never before received foundation funding.

Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Foundation has announced grants totaling $1.375 million in support of organizations working to improve behavioral health across the state. Recipients include the Center for Health and Justice Transformation, ONE Neighborhood Builders, the Strategic Prevention Partnership, and the Woonsocket Health Equity Zone.

South Carolina

The Community Foundation of the Lowcountry has announced grant application guidelines for approximately $520,000 in funding from the Bluffton ARPA/SLFRF COVID-19 Fund established by the Town of Bluffton. An advisory committee of community leaders and representatives from the Town of Bluffton and the foundation will review applications and determine awards. The first grant cycle will start immediately, with an application deadline of April 11, 2022. Additional cycles will be defined as needed.

Texas

The Dallas Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2021 Community Impact Fund Grants program, which provides support to organizations aligned with the foundation’s community impact framework. Recipients include Bachman Lake Together, Bonton Farms, RevJen, and the Dallas Innovation Alliance.

Wisconsin

The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation has announced that Therese Woelfel, vice president donor engagement and strategic communications, will retire effective April 15. She will be succeeded by Annie Dart.