The Invest in Others Grant Program was introduced in late 2018 with the goal of funding specific programs or projects for nonprofits that financial advisors give back to. Several applications were received and recipients were selected based on the impact the grant would have on the nonprofit and the community it serves. Below are the five nonprofits that received funding and the programs they will be using it for.
A-SPAN (Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network, Inc.) – $4,000 Secured by Todd Ihrig of HD Vest Investment Services
A-SPAN’s vision is to end homelessness in Arlington County, VA. They plan to do this by securing permanent housing and providing life-sustaining services for Arlington’s most vulnerable individuals through outreach and relationships built on trust and respect. A-SPAN plans to use their Invest in Others grant towards their new Supportive Housing Project. This project will provide housing for eight chronically homeless individuals and veterans who have the most significant needs and barriers to housing. The organization plans to purchase equipment and furniture for the client classroom and meeting space in the apartment building being configured for this supportive housing effort.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield – $4,500 Secured by Matthew Anthony of Morgan Stanley
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The club will be using the Invest in Others grant towards their Anti-Hunger Program. Currently 28% of the children they serve struggle with hunger. Although their facility is able to provide snacks occasionally, they decided they needed to tackle the problem of children leaving without eating a full and balanced meal, which many may not receive once they’re home. This investment will feed nearly 300 kids during out of school time, including Spring & Summer vacations.
Doreen Katz Memorial Cancer Foundation – $3,750 Secured by Javier Tafoya of AXA Advisors
The Doreen Katz Memorial Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to helping children whose parents are battling cancer. They plan to use their Invest in Others grant towards a sponsorship for a family who is suffering. This sponsorship will cover the children’s expenses now being charged directly to the family for regular curriculum items such as Advanced Placement Classes, Full Day Kindergarten, Field Trips, etc. In addition, each family receives their own dedicated therapist that is available 24/7 to help the children understand the diagnosis and provide a voice outside of the home.
Kids Aid – $3,575 Secured by Mike Berry of Legacy Wealth Management
Kids Aid helps children be children by eliminating childhood hunger. Their vision is that kids should be only hungry to learn. They plan to use their Invest in Others grant towards their summer backpack program. During the school year, schools can provide lunches for hungry children with federal funding. However, over the summer, these children do not have access to food through their schools nor Kids Aid’s regular Backpack Program which delivers bags of food directly to schools. To alleviate food insecurity over the summer, Mesa County Valley School District #51’s Lunch Lizard mobile food truck provides lunches for students. On Fridays, Kids Aid volunteers follow the Lunch Lizard routes and distribute their food bags to hungry kids to bridge the gap towards food security over the weekend.
Stand Up for Kids Atlanta – $4,175 Secured by Robert Fezza of Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors
Stand Up For Kids Atlanta has been serving homeless and at-risk youth since 2003. They provide programs which address the challenges facing homeless kids through prevention, volunteer-based outreach and mentoring, and community-supported programming. They plan to use their Invest in Others grant towards a high school mentoring program. This program will provide stipend and goal gift cards for at-risk students. Those who meet specific criteria and goals outlined with their mentors receive gift cards for food and supplies at Walmart and Target. They are required to provide receipts showing what they bought with the card before receiving another card the next month. The result is happier, more confident kids.