August 25, 2010

Arlington Tomorrow Foundation Accepting Letters of Inquiry for Grants Through Sept. 25

The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation is accepting Letters of Inquiry from local nonprofit groups and charitable organizations now through Sept. 25 for its fall grant cycle. The foundation plans to award more than $600,000 in cash donations for programs and services enhancing leisure, learning, family life and culture in Arlington, according to Executive Director Carolyn Mentesana. Nearly $5 million in grants have been donated since the foundation’s inception in 2007.

Mentesana said the foundation’s main objective is to address the needs of at-risk youth and families, build safe and strong neighborhoods by promoting quality of life programs, ensure quality parks and recreational programming, support libraries and local arts.

“Most foundations start with generous donations from a handful of wealthy benefactors or corporate contributions. The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, though, isn’t just any foundation,” Mentesana said. “Royalties from natural gas on City-owned property created the principal for the Foundation, and proceeds from that initial investment now fund grants that help create a better quality of life for our residents.

“So in reality, the Foundation starts and ends with the people of Arlington – which is fitting for a city fuelled by a traditional sense of hometown community, where people naturally partner for the better good.”

Find the letter of Inquiry form and eligibility criteria on the Tomorrow Foundation’s website at www.arlingtonfoundation.org.