2008 - 2010 Grants Awarded
Since its’ beginning in 2008, Benton Telecommunications Foundation
has provided resources of $414,555.36 into the greater Benton Telecommunications Company service area. Funding has been given to local organizations and agencies supporting the foundations’ mission to foster human development by enhancing the work of those devoted to exemplary service. The breakdown is as follows:
2009: $185,827.64 granted to serve 28 projects.
2008: $116,357.72 granted to serve16 projects.
2010: $112,370.00 granted to serve 22 projects.
2010 Grant Allocations: $112,370.00
Making a positive difference in the lives of individuals
and families as a wellspring of giving in central Minnesota!
2010 Grants Awarded:
Healthy Living
American Cancer Society-- $20,000
Purpose: To Support education, prevention and research of cancer
Contact: Christina George, Executive Director, (320) 255-5517
Foley Area CARE -- $9,200
Purpose: To support the food commodities program
Contact: Janis Brown, Executive Director, (320) 968-7848
Great River Faith In Action -- $10,000
Purpose: To implement a Caregiver Coach Program
Contact: Denise Frieh, Executive Directo,r (763) 263-4277
Helping Hands Outreach to Elders -- $5,000
Purpose: To develop the adult with disabilities program
Contact: Jeff Fromm, Executive Director, (320) 746-9960
Industries, Inc. -- $2,000
Purpose: To fund training and employment
services for people with disabilities
Contact: Kris McNally, Co-Executive Director, (320) 679-2354
Big Brother, Big Sister of Central MN -- $7,500
Purpose: To provide youth mentoring services is area schools
Contact: Shari Wallin, Development Director, (320) 253-1616
Healthy Living
American Red Cross -- $12,000
Purpose: To support the chapter’s disaster response program
Contact: Executive Director, (320) 251-7641
Operation Community Connect -- $5,000
Purpose: Fund Resource Event for people living at poverty levels
Contact: Beth Vande Plaats, Director, (320-983-8208
Small Grants
Central MN Habitat for Humanity -- $2,000
Purpose: To assist in the building of a home for qualifying family
Tri-cap -- $1,000
Purpose: For assistance in tax preparation for people living
with low income
EDUCATIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Youth for Christ -- $10,000
Purpose: To assist in the start-up for an academic
mentor/tutoring program
Contact: Scott Anderson, Executive Director, (320) 251-8711
Great River Educational Arts Theatre -- $6,000
Purpose: To expand community connections program
for children living at poverty level.
Contact: Dennis Whipple, Executive Director, (320) 258-2787
Small Grants
Central MN Task Force on Battered Women -- $1,920
Purpose: To support Early Life Choices youth program
Rum River Life Choices -- $2,000
Purpose: To support the annual youth program
Immaculate Conception -- $1,250
Purpose: To support a five-church educational program
Benton County 4-H -- $1,000
Purpose: To purchase T-shirts for exhibiting at county fair
ARC United -- $1,000
Purpose: To develop an educational program for individuals
with disabilities
Give Me Five Mentoring -- $1,000
Purpose: To assist in mentoring program for 6th – 8th grade students
Community Development:
MLMB -- $10,000
Purpose: To purchase updated radio system
Contact: Lottie Miller, President (320) 355-2422
Small Grant Awards:
Watab Fire Department -- $1,000
Purpose: To purchase emergency equipment for flood assessment
Rice Fire Department -- $2,000
Purpose: To assist in the purchase of equipment to test
carbon monoxide levels
Milaca Fine Arts Council - $1,000
Purpose: To assist in the purchase of marketing materials
2009 Grants Awarded:
Healthy Living
Milaca Elim Care & Rehab Center -- $15,000
Purpose: To purchase a van to transport residents to community events and appointments
Contact: Jay Rensenbrink, Director, 320-983-2185
American Cancer Society-- $20,000
Purpose: To fund cancer research, education and patient services in Benton County and the Midwest Region.
Contact: Kristina George, Community Relations Manager 320.229.7786
Opportunity Manor, Inc.-- $5,000
Purpose: To enhance the quality of life for OMI Foster Five residents with the purchase and installation of backyeard table and seats, retractable awning, and an aesthetic perennial flower garden.
Contact: Kenneth D. Gossett, Ph. D Director of Development
Quiet Oaks Hospice House -- $15,000
Purpose: To assist with the renovation of a cottage into a multipurpose space for bereavement, prayer, support groups, family gatherings and various related activities.
Contact: Joseph M. Bauer, R.N., Executive Director 302.255.5433
Birthline, Inc.-- $6,000
Purpose: To support The Stepping Stones program with the provision of relevant mentoring and educational opportunities for clients to carry child full term and improve physical, emotional and spiritual health.
Contact: Carrie Tripp, Executive Director 320.252.4150
Rum River Interfaith Caregivers -- $10,000
Purpose: To increase awareness and usges of the Caregiver Support Group, the Cancer Support Group and the Grief Support Group.
Contact: Tami Swanson, Executive Director 763.389.3762
Small Grant Awards:
Mille Lacs Family Services,
Family Services Christmas for Needy Families - $750
Local Congregations,
Defibrilators - $750
United Cerebral Palsy of Central Minnesota -- $10,000
Purpose: For “Access to Technology” project to People with Disabilities Program.
Contact: Judy Moening, Executive Director 320-253-0765
Basic Human Needs:
Pearl Crisis Center -- $15,000
Purpose: To provide support basic services for abused people and children in a time of crisis.
Contact: Judy Pearson, Executive Director, 320-982-6902
Central MN Habitat for Humanity-- $20,000
Purpose: To complete two partially built townhomes for those
in need of affordable homes.
Contact: Bruce Johnson, Executive Director, 320.656.8890
Catholic Charities of Diocese-SC-- $5,000
Purpose: To cover expenses of meals served at the Sr. Dining Site in Benton, Stearns, Mille Lacs and Kanabec Counties.
Contact: Stephanie Hillesheim, Grants Specialist
CROSS Center of Benton County-- $15,000
Purpose: To update and repair roof and facility of food shelf.
Contact: Carole Mersinger, Executive Director
Small Grant Awards:
Mille Lacs County Family Services,
Foster Care Bags - $2,000
Benton County Family Services:
Foster Care Grants - $1,000
Communities Investing in Families:
Transportation Assistance - $1,000
Educational and Personal Development:
Junior Achievement of the St. Cloud Area -- $5,000
Purpose: To teach students in grades K-12 important economic and workforce concepts.
Contact: Ileana Merten, Executive Director, 320.255.8624
Small Grant Awards:
Memory Disorders Clinic,
Educational Program for Alzheimer Caregivers - $1,930
Independent Lifestyles, Inc.:
Training for Disability Awareness - $2,000
Immaculate Conception Church:
Educational Supplies - $1,000
Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota:
Seizure Smart School Program- $2,000
Faith Christian School:
Technology Equipment- $1,309
Community Development:
Initiative Foundation -- $10,000
Purpose: To build a coalition of community members to support children of incarcerated parents by providing incarcerated parents with quality education.
Contact: Linda Kaufmann, Sr. Program Manager for Children, Youth & Families 320.632.9255
Mille Lacs Search and Rescue -- $1,900
Purpose: To purchase life boat, part of 2008 award
Contact: Mike Hollman, Executive Director
Small Grant Awards:
Benton County 4-H Dairy Boosters:
Milking Parlor Upgrade- $1,000
Milaca Friends of the Liberty.:
Walkway to connect community with library - $250
Central Mille Lacs United Way:
Banners for project - $1,000
2008 Grants awarded:
Healthy Living
Rum River Life Choices -- $25,000
Purpose: To promote health education with the purchase of an
ultra-sound machine.
Contact: Ann Morrel, Executive Director, (320) 983-3771
Horizon Health Services -- $25,000
Purpose: To support the well being of veterans living with disabilities by supporting the purchase of an efficient and safe heating system in their living facility.
Contact: Bridget Britz, Executive Director , (320) 468-6463
Basic Human Needs:
American Red Cross -- $10,000
Purpose: To assist people who are in crisis due to disaster with immediate and direct services.
Contact: Beth Bromen, Executive Director, (320) 251-7641
Anna Marie's Alliance -- $25,000
Purpose: To advocate for the women and children who are in residence as a result of domestic violence.
Contact: Maxine Barnett, (320) 251-7203
Small Grant Awards:
Milaca Preschool, $500
Milaca Alliance Church, $2,000
Milaca Food Pantry, $1,050
Rum River Interfaith Caregivers, $2,000
Mille Lacs Family Services, $750
Educational and Personal Development:
Mille Lacs County Veteran’s Services -- $3,000
Purpose: To honor Mille Lacs County veterans and educate them about available services and benefits Veteran’s Appreciation Banquet.
Contact: Kathy Kraft, Veteran’ Service Assistance, (320) 983-8490
Small Grant Awards
Benton County 4-H, $2,000
Milaca Community Education, $1,000
Rice American Legion, $325.72
Community Development:
Mille Lacs Search and Rescue -- $18,480
Purpose: To purchase rescue and recovery equipment.
Contact: Mike Hollman, President (320) 291-5161
Small Grant Awards
Watab Township, $1,500
Rice Legion Auxiliary, $600