Local foundation awards over half a million in grants

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts is awarding $605,000 in competitive grants to sixty-six pioneer valley projects.

The awards range from 2,000 dollars to 35,000 dollars.

"We cover all three counties and we do a lot of different things and we do that through volunteers, it's not the staff of the community foundation that are making those recommendations and figuring out where the money goes,” Nancy Reiche said.

Funding for the competitive grant program comes from distributions from over 35 funds established by diverse individuals and groups committed to supporting local nonprofits.