The Sundt Foundation awarded nearly $125,000 in grants to 48 non-profit organizations this quarter. The money will be used primarily for programs that benefit disadvantaged children and adults in areas where Sundt has an office or an active construction project.
One of the grant recipients was Walden Family Services, a private, non-profit organization in California that provides quality care for more than 200 children on a daily basis in more than 100 foster homes. The Foundation grant will be used to support foster families and the children in their care through services that include: medication and medical supplies, gas for driving to medical appointments, specialized skill training and nursing consultant services to care for the children, a fund to cover medical emergencies, and respite care (vital for preventing burnout for foster parents).
“At Walden, we believe all children deserve to grow up in a family and we thank you for helping us make that happen,” said Teresa Stivers, the organization’s executive director. “Every effort by a donor, foster or adoptive parent, and volunteer is meaningful to a Walden foster child.”
The Sundt Foundation was established in 1999 by Sundt Construction, Inc., as a way for its employee-owners to give back to the communities in which they work. In addition to funding grants every quarter, the Foundation also sponsors volunteer activities to benefit nonprofit organizations. The grant money comes primarily from contributions made by Sundt employees, which are matched dollar-for-dollar by the company.
Since its inception the Foundation has made grants totaling more than $5 million to hundreds of worthy organizations. Approximately 75 percent of the money goes to help disadvantaged children, with the remaining 25 percent dedicated to community issues. Employees can also earmark their donations for charitable organizations that benefit members of the military and their families.