The Women’s Giving Circle of McKean County awarded its inaugural grants totaling $9,500 to five organizations at its recent meeting.

The following organizations received grants:

CASA of McKean County – $2,000 to train community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the foster care system in McKean County;

The Lutheran Home at Kane – $2,000 to assist in their endeavors to fight depression in the facility by providing entertainment activities;

McKean County Early Intervention – $2,000 for programs that would reach out to other nearby maternity wards in an effort to reach parents of newborns;

The Guidance Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of McKean County – $2,000 for marketing tools to recruit volunteers for their one on one mentoring program; and

Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge Trail Club – $1,500 will be used to provide a portable toilet near the trail.

A project of the McKean County Community Foundation, the group was formed last year to provide a vehicle for nonprofit organizations to apply for funds in order to strengthen the quality of life for families in local communities. The organization pools its funds, which supply the initial investment for projects in McKean County.

As part of the event, the organization’s 75 members had an opportunity to vote for the project they felt was most important to the community. Voting was conducted via mail, email and fax this year, due to the constraints of a face-to-face event.

Any woman who has donated to the WGC fund is considered a member. There are various levels of membership. More information about membership levels and membership applications may be found on the Women’s Giving Circle of McKean County Facebook or by calling 844-238-2289.