Clinton CFB Awards $7,600 in Community Impact Grants

The Clinton County Farm Bureau’s 4^th annual “Community Impact Grant” program sought to identify projects that would improve our communities and create partnerships with other groups and organizations to make them happen.  We had an outstanding response this year, receiving nine (9) applications that requested almost $22,000.  Even with awarding more than the original $5,000 budgeted for our program, we could still only fund portions of many of the projects that were awarded this year.

Projects awarded grant funding for 2024 include:

• Damiansville Community Development was awarded $1,250 for improvements and additions at the park, including playground equipment, surfacing, fencing, and the various sporting courts.
• Clinton County Fair Association was awarded $1,250 to offer a “Petting Farm” area at the 2024 Clinton County Fair. Funds will be used to purchase pens to safely house the young farm animals during the event.
• Bartelso Community Development was awarded $1,000 to make some sidewalk and sod improvements at their park.
• Aviston Park District was awarded $1,000 for renovations to their tennis and pickleball courts. Renovations will include maintenance and resealing of the asphalt courts and new line striping.
• Breese City Library was awarded $750 to preserve their historic flag that once flew over state capitol building(s) from 1877 to 1890. Grant funding will go toward a custom display case to help preserve the fragile artifact.
• Holy Garden of Prayer Church in Carlyle was awarded $750 to help rehabilitate the Royal Lake Community Park. Members of the church plan to utilize funding to purchase lumber, swings, paint, and playground equipment to help revitalize the recreational space.
• Hoffman Pride & Heritage Partners was awarded $600 to purchase a custom fabricated metal bench for their Veteran’s Memorial in Hoffman. The bench will include laser-cut emblems depicting three branches of the military.
• Clinton County Historical Society was awarded $500 toward their traveling virtual museum. Grant funds will be used to purchase a portable projector for presentations with their traveling museum.
• Breese Historical Society was awarded $500 toward educational efforts that will explore the City of Breese’s namesake, Judge Sidney Breese. The Historical Society plans to use funding for educational booklets and fieldtrips that uncover the history behind Judge Sidney Breese.

Congratulations to all recipients of Clinton CFB’s 2024 “Community Impact Grant” program!  We appreciate the opportunity to work with great organizations and individuals on projects to improve our communities and look forward to seeing them make a difference.

To-date, the Clinton CFB has awarded $19,550 in grant funding for 20 community projects.