(Arnolds Park)– The Okoboji Foundation has announced its 2013 grant awards for various capital projects in the lakes area.
$50,000 was awarded to the Lakes Area Hockey Association for an ice refrigeration system; Historic Arnolds Park will receive $30,000 to revamp the state pier to make it handicap accessible; the Pearson Lakes Art Center was awarded $20,000 for an outdoor electronic sign; $13,705 was granted to Lakeside Lab for a walking trail; and nearly $3,300 was awarded to the Dickinson County Conservation Board for a disc golf course. The latter two grant awards were made possible as a result of funds raised by the Youth in Philanthropy program.
Holly Skopec, Okoboji Foundation Executive Assistant, says the foundation received 18 grant requests totalling more than $514,000 from various non-profit groups from throughout the lakes area. Skopec says proceeds from the foundation’s endowments provided $100,000 for 2013 awards. She adds the Youth In Philanthropy program raised an additional $17,000 in funds for grants.
The foundation, which is observing its 25th anniversary this year, is kicking off it’s 2013 fundraising campaign. Foundation President Mary Freiborg says the goal is to raise $3 million to make $250,000 available each year for vital capital projects, allowing the foundation to partner with more leadership projects each year.
Freiborg adds that everyone who contributes $1,000 or more to the campaign will receive free passes to the foundation’s 25th anniversary celebration scheduled for June 29th at Boji Bay Pavilion.
Since 1988, the Okoboji Foundation has given $2.4 million in grants to various nonprofit projects in the lakes area.
