Grant applications from local nonprofits are once again being accepted by the Community Foundation for Newton County which expects to dispense $35,000 this year to selected organizations.

Grant applications will be accepted until Oct. 12. In order to qualify for a grant through this program, local nonprofit organizations must be a 501c (3) agency and serve the residents of Newton County.

Grant proposals should address Newton County needs in the areas of Arts and Culture, Education and Youth Development, Human Services, Health and Community Development. For 2007 The Community Foundation's priority focus will again be children, youth and families.

Tamara Richardson, executive director of the Community Foundation for Newton County, said she expects her organization to break last year's record of $33,000 in dispensed grant aid.

"It's not all in yet, but we are hoping to have $35,000," Richardson said.

This will be the foundation's eighth year of awarding grants to local Newton County nonprofits. Since 2000 the Community Foundation has awarded over $165,000 to 40 different organizations through its competitive grant program.

 Past recipients of grants through the program include Newton County Senior Services, Washington Street Community Center, Rainbow Covenant Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, FaithWorks, Newton County 4-H, Covington YMCA, Newton READS, The Arts Association in Newton County, Prevent Child Abuse Newton, Southern Heartland Art, the Community Food Pantry and Willing Helpers Medical Clinic.

In January 2007, 13 Newton County non-profit agencies received grants from the Community Foundation ranging from $500 to $5,000.

According to a press release on the grant program, The Community Foundation for Newton County was established in 2000 to work with donors and their families to respond to the charitable needs of Newton County residents.

"We serve as a warehouse for donors' charitable dollars," Richardson said "Our mission is to help facilitate and encourage philanthropy throughout our community."

The foundation works with donors in setting up permanent endowment funds. Grants from these funds are then made to qualified non-profit organizations. The foundation is a subsidiary of The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Inc. which annually provides $10,000 to each local subsidiary which successfully raises at least $10,000 locally.

According to Richardson, the majority of local funding comes from the foundation's board of directors and from individual donors.

"We welcome tax-deductible donations," Richardson said.

Grant applications and guidelines can be downloaded at www.atlcf.org (go to Local Funds/Newton). The deadline for completed applications is 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12.

After an organization has applied to the program, Richardson said a site-visit will be conducted by the foundation in November. The board of directors will decide in December which organizations to award grants to. The selected organizations will receive their checks from the foundation at a reception in January.

For further information, call The Community Foundation for Newton County at (770) 788-2250.