News Releases

2011 Human Services Grant Cycle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 7, 2011

Media Contacts:
Dan DeSantis, Chief Executive Officer; [email protected] or
Natalie Garcia, Program Officer; [email protected]; 559-226-5600

Fresno Regional Foundation to grant $370,000 for Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Human Services Programs Organizations serving the community urged to apply for grants.

Fresno, CA – The Fresno Regional Foundation (FRF) announced the opening of its Human Services competitive grant cycle, which will give $370,000 in grants to organizations serving Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Kings, Merced and Mariposa counties addressing Human Services and Teen Pregnancy Prevention.

The FRF, with support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, will give $250,000 to organizations working to reduce teen pregnancy in the Central Valley, where teen pregnancy rates remain very high in comparison to the rest of California and the U.S.

According to a study by the Public Health Institute in 2010, Central Valley counties held six of the top ten spots for the highest teen pregnancy rates in the state.

“Teen parents are at greater risk of dropping out of school, living in poverty, and encountering greater challenges in life,” said Dan DeSantis, FRF Chief Executive Officer. “We aim to provide youth and families access to comprehensive, medically accurate services in an effort to reduce teen pregnancy rates in the Valley.”

An important program component FRF looks to fund focuses on educating the community about reproductive health and its links to overall well-being, education, violence and poverty.

Teen pregnancy imposes serious costs to taxpayers and society in the form of lost tax revenue based on mothers' and fathers' lower incomes, public assistance, more foster placement and incarceration of children, according to the Public Health Institute report.

The Foundation will also give $120,000 to organizations for capacity-building strategies that focus on board governance, leadership development or fiscal management. For more information about grants, how to apply and deadlines contact Sandra Flores, Sr. Program Officer at (559) 226-5600 x104 or visit fresnoregfoundation.org.

About the Fresno Regional Foundation

Founded in 1966, FRF is a community foundation whose mission is to improve the quality of life in the Central San Joaquin Valley through philanthropy. It serves Fresno, Madera, Merced, Mariposa, Tulare and Kings counties.

FRF is the trusted link between donors and organizations investing in permanent, highimpact solutions for the Central Valley.

Foundation assets exceed $45 million, and FRF awarded $4.5 million in grants in 2010.

For more information about the Fresno Regional Foundation, please visit www.fresnoregfoundation.org or call 559-226-5600.

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