The Carbon County Community Foundation has announced the four nonprofit finalists selected to present their projects for consideration for this year’s $6,000 community grant from the 20/20 Circle.

The finalists will share their proposed projects at the 20/20 Circle Annual Meeting and Grants Dinner from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 at Blue Mountain Resort.

The 20/20 Circle Annual Meeting and Grants Dinner brings together community members, nonprofit leaders, and supporters from across Carbon County for an evening of connection, learning, and collective giving. The 20/20 Circle is a giving society of more than 150 individuals and businesses who pool their resources to make a greater impact through philanthropy.

During the dinner, attendees will hear from each nonprofit finalist, while 20/20 Circle members will have the opportunity to vote on which organization will receive this year’s grant.

The four finalists and their proposed projects are:

• Dimmick Memorial Library — Microfilm digitization project;

• Lehigh Carbon Community College Foundation — Carbon County Early College Scholarship Initiative;

• Miller-Keystone Blood Center — Mobile donor chairs for Carbon County, and;

• Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley — Carbon County Outreach and Community Education Initiative.

Each organization will deliver a five-minute presentation about its proposed project during the dinner.

Following the presentations, 20/20 Circle members will have 24 hours to cast their votes online, whether or not they are in attendance at the dinner.

Launched in 2018, the 20/20 Circle invites individuals and businesses to make a $1,000 commitment to a shared charitable fund, payable all at once or over four years. Membership is for life, and each member receives two complimentary tickets to the annual meeting and grants dinner, along with the opportunity to vote on the annual grant.

The 20/20 Circle currently has more than 150 members and continues to grow. As membership grows, so does the 20/20 Circle’s potential to make a lasting impact. With 250 members, the fund could award a $10,000 community grant every year in perpetuity.

“There’s something special about coming together as a community and deciding how we can make a difference together,” said Sharon Alexander, president of the Carbon County Community Foundation.

“The 20/20 Circle gives people an opportunity to learn about the work happening in our community, connect with other people who care about Carbon County, and make a meaningful impact through collective giving.”

The 20/20 Circle Annual Meeting and Grants Dinner is open to both members and the general public. 20/20 Circle members receive two complimentary tickets per membership. General admission is $65 per person. Advance registration is required.

Community members interested in joining the 20/20 Circle are encouraged to pledge their membership by Oct. 14 to receive voting privileges at this year’s event. New members can make their $1,000 commitment all at once or over four years and become part of a growing community of local residents working together to support Carbon County.

In addition to the nonprofit presentations, the event will include the presentation of the Elissa M. Garofalo Community Impact Award, which recognizes an individual who has made a meaningful difference in Carbon County.

The Carbon County Community Foundation is grateful for the generous support of the sponsors helping make this year’s 20/20 Circle Annual Meeting and Grants Dinner possible. This year’s sponsors are Dinner Sponsor, Blue Mountain Resort; Dessert Sponsor, Regional Environmental Services LLC; Community Sponsors, Walter and Jennifer Bevilacqua and Neffs National Bank; and Supporting Sponsors, Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank and Bear Mountain Real Estate.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available for businesses interested in supporting the 20/20 Circle Annual Meeting and Grants Dinner. Sponsorship offers an opportunity to build connections with community and business leaders and demonstrate the organization’s commitment to strengthening Carbon County through local philanthropy.

To learn more about the finalists, reserve tickets, join the 20/20 Circle, or become a sponsor, visit www.cccfoundpa.org.

The Carbon County Community Foundation was formed in 2016 with the mission to improve the quality of life for all Carbon County residents. We do this by offering individuals, families, and businesses the most effective charitable giving tools available in the marketplace today, combined with expertise in philanthropic planning, nonprofit sector issues, and community priorities.

Since 2016, the charitable funds at the Community Foundation have cumulatively awarded more than $2.2 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofit and community organizations, teachers, schools, and students in Carbon County.

We are honored to work with hundreds of donors, nonprofits, advisers, and civic leaders to build resources and strengthen our community, forever