Competing for cash

Three charities are competing for achance to win a second grant from the third annual Art Van CharityChallenge. The challenge awarded $1 million in money to charities inthe form of grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to 50 Michigannonprofits in the children, health and human services areas earlierthis month.  The challengeis now holding a competition for the chosen charities to earn threeadditional grants of $10,000, $15,000 and $25,000. The three charitieswho receive the most votes on the challenge’s website will receiveadditional funds.

The Greater Lansing Housing Coalitionhas already received a $20,000 grant from the challenge. Theorganization plans to use the grant to help preserve its TuesdayToolmen program, which had previously run out of funding, saidexecutive director Katherine Draper. 

The program consists of a group ofsenior volunteers, all of whom are skilled tradesmen, who go out intothe community and do free home repairs and modifications, said TimNester, communications and media coordinator for the GLHC. The programis available to qualifying seniors and disabled residents, most of whomhave little or no mobility and are unable to repair the homesthemselves, he added.  Repairsprovided by the program allow residents to stay in their homes, ratherthan be moved to nursing facilities. Despite receiving the grant, theGLHC still needs $40,000 to continue the program. Earning an additionalgrant would put the organization within a comfortable reach ofcontinuing the program, Nester said.

East Lansing-based Haven House is alsocompeting in the challenge. Haven House provides temporary housing forhomeless families as they transition to more permanent homes. Theorganization received a $25,000 grant from the challenge. Calls askinghow the money will be allocated were not returned. 

The third charity participating in thechallenge is Lansing’s Hannah’s House. Hannah’s House provides housing,food, clothing and mentoring to homeless mothers and their newbornchildren.  The organization,which has already received a grant of $5,000, helps the women learnlife and parenting skills so they can break the cycle of homelessness,said Peggy Goffin, president of the Hannah’s House board. Theorganization will use the additional grant to continue with theoperation of their home, added Goffin.

The biggest obstacle in receiving theadditional grants is that many of the other charities are in heavilypopulated areas, like Grand Rapids and Detroit, Nester said. Localcharities need Lansing area residents to rally together and help themget the grants, he added. 

“The cooperation from the community iswhat will make a difference in our agency being able to receive thesefunds,” said Draper. “I’m really hopeful that they would considersupporting the effort.” The GLHC’s ultimate goal is to see thecommunity prosper, added Draper. 

To vote for the charities, visit www.artvancharitychallenge.com. Individuals can vote once a day through Sept. 30.  Individuals can also contribute money to the charity of their choice through the website.