$119,000 buys a lot of hope and happiness when it’s used by nonprofit organizations that work to improve our communities. It’s even better when that much money is distributed among 57 charities dedicated to helping disadvantaged children and adults. That’s the story behind the latest round of quarterly grants made by the Sundt Foundation.
One of the grant recipients was the Nick Lowery Youth Foundation in Phoenix, Ariz. The organization, founded by former NFL place kicker Nick Lowery, helps disadvantaged youth, especially Native Americans, by developing, promoting and sponsoring programs and relationships that foster self-esteem, leadership qualities and skills, and that encourage youth to be positive assets to their communities. (To see the complete list of first quarter grant recipients, click here.)
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 approximately $6 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.