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The Hub on Canal has worked for a decade to bring the arts to the New Symrna Beach community through classes and workshops, exhibitions and events.
Now, with a little extra funding, they will be able to bring art to the region through new means: technology.
After funding nearly $ 21,000 in crowdfunding and receiving a grant of $ 2,777 from the Gannett Foundation’s A Community Thrives initiative, The Hub – and four other nonprofits in Volusia and Flagler counties – take another step towards achieving their goals.
They are among hundreds of organizations across the country, including dozens in Florida, to receive a grant through the A Community Thrives initiative.
National winners: New Jersey Urban Farm Project, organization of Afghan refugees in Ohio among 2021 beneficiaries of the Gannett Foundation’s A Community Thrives program
Last year’s recipients: Black Youth Arts Center and Refugee Advocacy Get Boost from Gannett Foundation’s Thriving Community Program
“It’s an outreach program that uses technology to create art in one form or another,” said The Hub president Richard England. They plan to renovate one of their classrooms, buy computers and software to teach things like photo editing, digital drawing, and maybe even animation one day.
“We haven’t really been able to do something like this before,†he said, because the start-up costs are so high.
USA TODAY and The Record’s parent company, Gannett, are sponsoring the grantmaking and crowdfunding initiative. All of the grant recipients raised money through crowdfunding before receiving a grant – something England said was more effective than it could have imagined.
The other four organizations in Volusia, Flagler and St. Johns counties that also received $ 2,777 in initiative grants include:
Heritage Preservation Trust, which strives to preserve and restore artifacts, buildings, land and historic sites in Volusia County through educational programs, fundraising and grant acquisition.
The Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties Social Services Council which helps people experiencing poverty by providing them with food, emergency financial aid and other aids, regardless of race or religion .
The African American Cultural Society Palm Coast, which strives to preserve and perpetuate the cultural heritage of African Americans through educational, artistic, intellectual and social activities and services deemed to be in the best interests of the whole community.
The St. Johns County Education Foundation, through Investing in Kinds (INK!), Which offers innovative programs and educational resources to promote academic success for students in St. Johns County public schools.
“It’s fantastic that we have these kinds of organizations doing good, tangible things for our communities,†said Pat Rice, North Florida regional editor. “I’m glad our journal is owned by a company that also gives back.”
These organizations are among the 216 local grant recipients in the country. 16 other organizations received national grants ranging from $ 25,000 to $ 100,000.
The $ 2.3 million initiative supports organizations that tackle a range of social issues. This year, those issues included homelessness, mental health care for LGBTQ people, reproductive care and girls’ education, to name a few. As of 2017, A Community Thrives has distributed $ 17 million in grants and donations to community organizations across the United States.
“Now in its fifth year, A Community Thrives awards grants to many important causes that help improve lives. Each of our recipients has a positive impact and we are proud to support organizations that share our purpose, â€said Gannett CEO Mike Reed.
Although The Hub on Canal fell just short of its goal of $ 26,000, it is still moving forward with a few slight tweaks.
“Through this awareness-raising effort that we are leading, we hope to make a difference in the lives of children,” said England, explaining that perhaps the children who participate in the programming will suddenly see some of these lessons as a career path. . “If we can do it for a few, that would be great. ”
If all goes according to plan, they hope to start donating art through technology to the community around January.
Other nonprofits will receive community operating grants starting at $ 2,500, chosen by leaders of Gannett’s USA TODAY Network of more than 250 news sites in 46 states. Organizations that focus on building historically underfunded and underserved groups will be given special consideration.
“Across the country, A Community Thrives grants connect the brands of the USA TODAY Network to the communities in which we operate and beyond,†said Sue Madden, director of the Gannett Foundation. “Our journalists work every day to enable communities to thrive, and this program helps achieve that fundamental goal.”
For the full list of grantees, visit gannettfoundation.org/act.
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