Art Van Furniture announced that it will award grants from $5,000 to $50,000 to support 50 Michigan-based nonprofit organizations that focus on children, health and human services programs.
The announcement was made at an exciting event at the Art Van Lansing store. The evening included special grant announcements and awards, along with the new Art Van Award of Hope which recognizes the outstanding philanthropic work of four individuals and their favorite charities.
The 2011 Art Van Award of Hope honorees who have continuously displayed outstanding work with their charities are L. Brooks Patterson (Rainbow Connection), Maggie Varney (Wigs 4 Kids), Krista Mason (Benjamin’s Hope), and Laurie Baumer (Ele’s Place). In addition to the award each of the four charities received a $5,000 grant.
This is the third year in a row that Art Van Furniture has present its Million Dollar Charity Challenge, designed to encourage the people of Michigan to make a contribution and maximize fundraising opportunities. With this incentive, the 2009 Art Van Million Dollar Charity Challenge donation turned into four million with matched challenges.
“One thing is for certain,” explains Chairman and Founder, Art Van Elslander, “regardless to how worthy a cause may be or how sincere the organization is about achieving its goals, without the proper financial resources, very little can be done. That’s why this challenge is such a big deal.”
Representatives from the previous 100 Art Van Charity Challenge recipients were also on hand at the event, where they rece ived a very special s urprise. The remaining 96 charities received an additional grant of $1000!