Sandhills Area Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sandhills Area Foundation Awards $93,000 in Grants at Annual Fundraiser VALENTINE, NE – November 11, 2024 - The Sandhills Area Foundation (SAF) demonstrated its commitment to community development by awarding $93,000 in grants to various local organizations during its annual fundraiser held on Saturday, November 9, 2024. Casino Night, which took place at the Cherry County Fairgrounds in Valentine, Nebraska, also saw impressive fundraising results, with preliminary figures indicating approximately $30,000 raised through auction proceeds and chips buy-ins. Grant Awards The foundation, known for its dedication to investing in the Sandhills of Cherry County, distributed funds to support a diverse range of community initiatives. Their purpose is to provide funds and encourage community involvement and service projects for charitable, educational and social purposes; youth programs; or those facilities operated by agencies and charitable and educational organizations serving the health, educational and social needs of the residents of the area, and those with broad community support within the Sandhills. The organizations receiving funding and their corresponding award amounts are: Cherry County 4-H Leadership Program $ 500 Friends of the Valentine Library/Valentine Book Club $ 1,000 Sparks Cemetary Board $ 2,000 Thedford Volunteer Rescue Squad $ 5,000 Valentine Children and Families Coalition $ 5,000 Valentine Wrestling Club $ 14,200 Cody Cowboy GRIT $ 15,300 Heart City Theater $ 50,000 Carolyn Moore, Executive Director of the Sandhills Area Foundation, expressed enthusiasm about the impact of these grants: "These funds will directly benefit our area community, and this larger than usual amount was made possible due to our regular allocation of grant monies together with a portion of the gift from the estate of Michael Davenport, which was received in July. We're thrilled to support local organizations that align with our mission of investing in the Sandhills of Cherry County to meet the present and future needs of Cherry County, and our purpose to provide funding for social, civic, and educational projects that encourage community involvement and promote charitable giving.” More information can be found on the website. Fundraising Success This year’s annual event not only served as a platform for grant distribution but also as a successful fundraiser for the foundation. The preliminary tally of $30,000 raised through auction items and chips buy-ins demonstrates the community's strong support for SAF's mission. “We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity shown by our community, including everyone who donated items for our auctions, sponsored our tables, bid and/or won auction items, everyone who attended our function, and everyone who supported us in any of the myriad of other ways, including publicity, volunteering their time, talent, or treasure, and assisting at our event" Moore added. "These contributions will allow us to continue our work in supporting education, encouraging growth, and sustaining generosity throughout Cherry County." About Sandhills Area Foundation The Sandhills Area Foundation is a public charity dedicated to investing in the Sandhills of Cherry County. Since its inception in 1998, SAF has awarded over $932,000 in scholarships and has consistently provided substantial grants to area organizations totaling just under $600,000. The foundation operates on an annual grant cycle, with applications typically due by September 30th each year. For more information about the Sandhills Area Foundation, its grant programs, or how to get involved, please contact: Carolyn Moore Executive Director, Sandhills Area Foundation Phone: 402-322-0031 Email: sandhillsareafoundation@gmail.com