Lithuanian Foundation Grants Program

The 2012 grant application deadline - April 20, 2012.

 

Lithuanian Foundation Grants Program The Lithuanian Foundation is dedicated to supporting projects that contribute to the preservation of the Lithuanian heritage in émigré communities. As such, the Foundation concentrates its resources on those projects that demonstrate the potential for far reaching benefits to the Lithuanian community and the community at large.

Funding Priorities

The Foundation invests in new, innovative programs as well as established programs in the émigré community, with an eye to supporting those grant requests that collaborate with other programs to provide a synergistic benefit to on the community.

A more detailed description of funding priorities, restrictions, the review process, application process, recommended steps, and required documentation can be found at following link:

LF GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES

 

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A letter from the 2011 LF Grants Committee Chair Vytas Narutis June, 2011

Dear Lithuanian Foundation Members and Donors,

The Lithuanian Foundation has a capitalization over sixteen million dollars which makes possible grants and scholarships distributions.  On behalf of the Lithuanian Foundation, we express sincere thanks to the donors and members! This year the Lithuanian Foundation appropriated $408,455 to support Lithuanian activities and projects which support community priorities and to fund scholarships to those of Lithuanian descent.  This substantial financial support was made possible by last year’s investment yields and was appropriated by the Grants Committee and the Scholarship Sub-committee.

The Grants Committee consisted of: chair Vytas Narutis, Algirdas Saulis, Arvydas Tamulis, Dalius Vasys (substitute), with representatives from the Lithuanian-American Community: Gintautas Taoras, Jonas Vainius, Gintaras Cepas (substitute), and the Scholarship Sub-committee, chair Tauras Bublys, Sigita Baniulyte, Vytas Cuplinskas, Jonas Grazys, Tadas Kubilius, Darius Sabaliunas, Andrius Tamulis, Agne Vertelkaite.

Pictured from the left: Gintautas Taoras, Virgus Volertas, Algirdas Saulis, Dalius Vasys, Vytas Narutis (chair), Arvydas Tamulis, Gintaras Cepas, Jonas Vainius.

The decision process and the necessary preparations demanded substantial time and effort of those on the committee.  Sincere thanks to all involved!  Additionally, thanks to the staff – Jurate Mereckis who guided the submission process and collated all of the details using our secure database and internet accessibility.  This support made possible our appropriation effort which deliberated on 169 requests requesting funding of almost two million dollars.  Notably, within the auspices of the Lithuanian Foundation, we also distribute appropriations from 86 special funds with their specific directives Scholarship granted to those of Lithuanian descent, predominantly in the U.S., involved 52 recipients for a total of $60,418. These were made possible by special funds earmarked for scholarships with specific directives.   The decisions were made based on LF GRANTS COMMITTEE GUIDELINES.

2011 LF Grant Committee meeting in progress - LF Administrator Jurate Mereckis is pictured on the left.

Grants totaling $284,458 were also appropriated (information is updated as of 12/31/2011 data).   The largest grant was for Lithuanian cultural heritage schools in the U.S. and other educational activities totaling $112,758. This was a high priority item to support our youth and their education. In the last seven years, we have funded almost a half million dollars for this area. At this time, there are over 26 schools with over 2,000 students.  Grants also supported the 2012 Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival in Boston, Lithuanian Research and Studies Center in Chicago, student summer internships in Lithuania under the auspices of the Lithuanian- American Community Inc., youth organizations and camps, Lithuanian media and websites, and cultural events and projects.

Along with that, monies that came from restricted funds, earmarked directly for education, amounted to $19,580 as well as money for support at $8,994. In total, $373,450 was distributed in 2011 with $35,005 left undistributed (information is updated as of 12/31/2011 data).

As before, many deserved projects did not receive support or were not fully funded because of financial limitations.   These will be listed on our website – perhaps donors (private or institutional) will rise to the occasion and volunteer to help with their projects.

We see a noticeable rise in the needs for financial support of Lithuanian educational, cultural, and scholarly projects, and there is a need to raise additional funds through donations and bequests. Support for this would be appreciated.  On behalf of the Lithuanian Foundation, we sincerely express our gratitude to our members and donors for their support that has made our achievements at the Lithuanian Foundation possible.

Sincerely,

Vytautas Narutis
Chair Grants Committee.

Click here to download the 2011 Grant Allocation Report