CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, a charitable organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life in 40 Middle Tennessee counties and beyond, announces $2,726,800 in grants to 453 local nonprofit organizations as part of the 2018 annual grantmaking process.

The grants will benefit nonprofits in 33 area counties, including Montgomery County.

The top three awards categories were Human Services-Children (16 percent of the grants), Education (15 percent), and Arts and Humanities (14 percent).

“The Community Foundation is honored to connect generosity with need through these annual grants and through other avenues throughout the year, but we couldn’t have the impact we do without the many nonprofits offering solutions to our community’s needs and vital services to our neighbors,” said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “Thanks to the generous support of our donors, and the work of dedicated and talented nonprofits, we are able to fund solutions which address Middle Tennessee’s emerging needs and opportunities.”

Grant recipients from Montgomery County are:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville: To provide children facing adversity with strong, professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring to increase their confidence, academic achievement and community engagement.

Clarksville Montgomery County Arts and Heritage Development Council: To contract with sculptor and foundry to create models/molds/castings of state icons (iris, box turtle) for Tennessee Discovery Trails.

Gateway Chamber Orchestra: To establish a nationally recognized classical music festival in Middle Tennessee and to engage the local military population in that festival.

Loaves and Fishes of Clarksville: Expand meal availability from six to seven days per week, starting with a brown bag meal available on every Saturday.

Manna Cafe Ministries: To provide two hot meals (one breakfast, one supper) and other valuable resources to approximately 128 low-income individuals per week.

Roxy Productions, Inc: To support artistic salaries for “To Kill a Mockingbird” at the Roxy Regional Theatre in March 2019.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County Historical Museum: To create an “If These Walls Could Talk ” exhibit using collections/interactives to contrast changes in 175 years of lifeways.

United Methodist Urban Ministries: To provide emergency assistance to encourage independence and self-respect for clients who are in temporary financial crisis.

The Community Foundation awards discretionary grants annually from its unrestricted and field-of-interest funds to Middle Tennessee nonprofits. Grants are awarded through an open application process for organizations addressing community needs and benefiting the well-being of citizens through valuable programs and innovative services. More information on the grant process is online at https://www.cfmt.org/grants-scholarships/grants/.