Circle of Giving Awards $24,825 In Grants To Area Nonprofits

January’s snow and ice storm delayed — but could not derail — the Circle of Giving awards ceremony, which took place earlier this week on Feb. 1 at the Renton Senior Activity Center.

Conceived as a way to bring attention to the philanthropic work of the Renton Community Foundation, the Circle of Giving began in 2000 and has since granted almost $350,000 back to the community.

In 2011 the Circle of Giving awarded a total of $24,825 in grants to 17 area nonprofit groups including, Allied Arts of Renton, A.R.I.S.E., City of Renton Community Services Department, Communities In Schools of Renton, King County Sexual, Assault Resource Center, Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians/Gays, Pediatric Interim Care Center, Renton Annual Art Show, Renton Area Youth & Family Services, Renton Clothes Bank, Renton Community, Foundation/General Fund, Renton School District, Salvation, Army Renton, Rotary Food Bank, Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Renton, St. Matthews Afterschool Program, Vision House and Way Back Inn.

The Next Curve, now in its second year, awarded a total of $8,000 to 17 area nonprofits in 2011 including, A.R.I.S.E., Arts Unlimited, Birthday Dreams, C.A.S.T. for Kids, Communities in Schools of Renton, Evergreen City Ballet, Friends of Renton Schools, New Horizon School, Piazza Renton, Renton Area Youth & Family Services, Renton Civic Theater, Renton Clothes Bank, Renton History Museum, RTC Foundation, Salvation Army Renton, Rotary Food Bank, Way Back Inn, WSU King County and Extension Food Sense.

Larry Warren, 2012 Circle of Giving President, said the group will focus on serving as a community leader this year.

“The board is committed to learning the critical needs in our community,” he said.

To help foster this leadership, the Renton Community Foundation will host a Planned Giving Seminar on Feb. 23 at St. Matthew’s Church. Call the Foundation at (425) 282-5199 for more information.