Grant money available for Washington County libraries

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

The Washington County Community Foundation recently announced it is taking applications for a special $150,000 grants program from its Community CARE Fund to support independent, community-based libraries in Washington County.

Local libraries say it couldn’t come at a better time.

Community libraries may submit one grant request of up to $25,000 using the foundation’s online grant application. The deadline for applications is May 15. Grants will be announced in June and will range from $5,000 to $25,000.

Many Mon Valley libraries say the grants will provide much-needed assistance after a year that saw libraries either close their doors or cancel activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m very happy the WCCF is very supportive of libraries,” said Monongahela Area Library board member Terry Necciai. “We’re going to need all the help we can get because nobody has been able to do normal event fundraising.”

Necciai said the library received grant funding from the WCCF two years ago, and the money was used for computer technology.

“It’s really anybody’s guess who is going to be getting money or who isn’t,” he said. “Losing an entire year of fundraising throws everybody off track. It’s really good the foundation is doing this. They’re taking a risk that we’re cautious to take.”

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