1320 Cambridge Blvd.

Columbus, Ohio 43212

(614) 488-0681

Ext. 263

FOUNDATION CORNER, FEBRUARY 2017

By Walter Neff

Recent grants approved by the Foundation Board of Trustees include:

A grant of $2,500 to South Campus Facilities to remove large limbs posing a safety concern, clean up the grounds and prepare for the upcoming expansion project. A portion of the existing playground will be removed and the large sycamore tree located within the playground has limbs that need removing to avoid interference with construction.

A new playground on the north end of the property has shrubs, limbs and trees which need removed in order to accommodate the playground, fencing and adhere to licensing codes and regulations. Funding for this grant will come from the First Community Church Permanent Endowment Fund.

A grant of up to $20,000 to South Campus Facilities to replace the Gallery Court HVAC system which failed late this past summer. The unit is 41-years-old and only used to provide cool air. Funding for this grant will come from the following funds: $16,500.00 from the First Community Church Permanent Endowment Fund and $3,500 from the Roy A. Burkhart Memorial Fund.

The Foundation received a request from South Campus Facilities for up to $135,000 to replace the 1984 chiller unit, specifically for the Sanctuary. This project includes installation of a unit to cool the chancel area, reconfiguration of the existing venting system in the Sanctuary and calibration of thermostats. A grant of $69,200 of the $135,000 was recommended by the Grants Committee and the $69,200 was approved by the Board of Trustees. This grant will cover the bid for the Sanctuary HVAC and the use of a crane to place the HVAC over the choir room. (The remaining dollars earmarked for the Chancel area HVAC will be considered in 2017). Of this $69,200 amount, $62,026.93 will completely utilize all remaining funds in the 2016 Budget. Due to the extenuating circumstances of needing to install this HVAC system prior to the installation of a new playground, the Foundation Board specifically approved the expenditure of $7,173.07 over the 2016 Approved Spending Budget to cover this grant request. Funding for this grant will come from the following two sources: $40,000 from the Roy A. Burkhart Memorial Fund and $29,200 from the Ken and Marty Fishel Endowment Fund.

The total grants approved by First Community Foundation in 2016 were $484,466.