CONTACT: Sheila B. Flanagan, Executive Director, SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc.
860.533.0355, sflanagan@sbmfoundation.org
Manchester, Connecticut (January 5, 2009)…The SBM Charitable Foundation recently awarded fourth quarter 2008 grants of more than $45,000 to non-profits in the Willimantic/Windham area. This brings the Foundation’s total Windham County funding for the year, including its college scholarship program, to over $346,000.
Forty-two organizations were the beneficiaries of SBM “We’re Pulling for You” final quarter grants of the year, covering a wide range of community services that support primarily East of the River programs. Highlights of the major grant awards in the eastern Connecticut region include:
Three organizations in eastern Connecticut were beneficiaries of grants from the SBMCF: Generations Family Health Center, Inc. will provide pediatric dentistry services in Willimantic; unendowed scholarships were funded at Eastern Connecticut State University; and Altrusa International of Northeastern Connecticut will serve Willimantic and Mansfield elementary schools through their literacy project.
Executive Director of the SBM Charitable Foundation Sheila Flanagan noted, “It is especially gratifying during these economically difficult times to provide funding to manyWindham County non-profits that serve such a wide range of community needs.”
The SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc. was established in 2000 by Connecticut Bancshares, Inc., the parent company of the former Savings Bank of Manchester. The Foundation’s mission, perpetuating the vision of the former Bank, is committed to bettering the lives of those who live and work predominantly East of the River in Hartford, Tolland, and Windham Counties. Priority categories for funding include health, human services, education, housing and the arts. In 2008 the Foundation awarded a total of more than $2 million to area non-profits, while cumulatively since its founding the Foundation’s philanthropy has exceeded $12 million. The SBM Charitable Foundation is located at 935 Main Street in downtown Manchester. For more information visit the website at www.sbmfoundation.org .
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