by Paula M. Riley, Chestnut Hill Community Fund Drive Member

When community organizations apply for a grant from the Chestnut Hill Community Fund, it is no easy task. The process requires each interested applicant to submit a comprehensive application, including financial statements and a budget for proposed activities or projects the granted funds will support.

The committee carefully reviews these applications and then a representative from each qualifying organization presents to the committee. Every grant applicant is required to present to the committee. These presentations are opportunities for the committee to fully understand each organization’s stability, purpose, past fund-raising efforts and grant intentions.

After all organizations have presented, the committee meets to determine recommended grant allocations. It then submits these recommendations to the Chestnut Hill Community Association and Chestnut Hill Community Fund for their approvals.

This year, many organizations have made grant requests for 34 programs or general support. We need to make our goal of $100,000 so we can support great efforts that offer programming, provide educational/cultural services, conduct physical beautification of our community, or offer human services for our residents.

All year long, the benefits of the fund are witnessed around our community. Fund contributions help the Chestnut Hill Garden District “green” the Avenue, support the annual Hoops Madness tournament, guarantee Wednesday evening concerts at Pastorius Park in June and July, care for the Children’s Park in Chestnut Hill, help Teenagers Inc. visit Guatemala and bring us the Chestnut Hill Holiday Parade.

Currently accepting your donations, the Chestnut Hill Community Fund supports programs and organizations that enhance living and working in our charming ‘suburb in the city.’ Started over 40 years ago, this charitable trust relies on community donations and works to enhance Chestnut Hill in four major areas of focus: culture, education, human services and physical beautification.

The fund needs your donation today. Please help meet our goal so these and so many other wonderful programs can continue. Please donate.

You can make a contribution to the Community Fund Drive in person or by mail to CHCF at 8434 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia 19118 or online at www.chestnuthill.org or contact Noreen Spota at 215-248-8810.