It’s time to think spring! Any group or governmental agency that helps maintain or enhance Fulton, IL, public garden areas should consider applying now through Sunday, February 28t, 2015 for grant money, available from the Fulton Gardens Fund.
All applications need to be received by Fulton’s community foundation (FACE) on or before Saturday, February 28, 2015. Requests can be made for grants to cover most aspects of maintaining or creating a public garden spot, including plantings, landscape elements, equipment, and labor.
The Fulton Gardens Fund is an endowment established through FACE in 2013 in memory of Gerry Kopf. Its purpose is to permanently support public garden areas in Fulton, by providing grants to help maintain or enhance these public gardens.
Priority will be given to maintaining garden areas that already exist. Additionally, priority will be given to those garden areas in which Gerry played a role. These include the windmill area/Den Besten Park, the bike trail flowerbeds on South 4th Street, and 14th Avenue beautification (tulips at the corners and flowering trees.)
It is expected about $500 will be available in 2015 to be distributed as one or two grants.
Gerhart A. Kopf spent much of his professional career in the agricultural/nursery fields. Through his Bald Eagle Nursery he became known for his expertise in ornamental grasses and hostas. Over several decades, Gerry established and helped maintain many beautiful gardens in Fulton which included grasses, as well as tulip and daffodil beds. This fund is intended to maintain and build on his legacy to the community and to honor his efforts and passion to beautify Fulton. It is hoped that this fund will both inspire and assist those who share Gerry’s passion for beautification.
This year all applications must be submitted using the new online grant application system provided by FACE’s parent foundation, the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend. To access the grant application system, go to www.fultonFACE.org and click on “Get a Grant”, then choose “Fulton Gardens Fund” to get started. Again, applications must be completed and submitted online no later than Saturday, February 28.
If you have questions or want additional information, please contact Heidi Kolk during the work week at 815-89-3160.