A Carbon County organization's initiative to provide funding for projects to benefit the people of the county received a huge jolt to the tune of $132,000.

A pair of checks - one for $100,000, and the other for $32,000 - were presented Wednesday morning to the Carbon County Community Foundation during a gathering at the Asa Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe.On hand from the foundation were Tina Dowd, board chair, along with board members Steve Ohl, Richard and Darlene Nothstein, and Chris and Sheri Anthony.Charles M. Barber, president and CEO of The Luzerne Foundation, presented a check in the amount of $100,000. The Luzerne Foundation started in 1994 with a handful of donors and has distributed more than $95 million in grants to date.Barber said his foundation was excited to "work with the county to help you get started.""You are a true inspiration," he said.In addition, the founders coordinated with Kurt Bauman of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Nonprofit & Community Assistance Center and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance to acquire an additional $32,000 in funding.Bauman said that the groups help foundations work together collaboratively, and that through that partnership, they've come to help Carbon County.The donations came from the Appalachian Regional Commission Area Development Grant for NCAC's Community Foundation Initiative.In collaboration with the NEPA Grantmakers Forum, the NCAC will provide funding and technical assistance for the startup of a community foundation in both Carbon and Pike counties.The funding is to serve as the catalyst for the formal incorporation process. The NCAC will assist with facilitating a founders committee, organizing meetings, identifying best practices for community foundations, offering workshops on grant seeking and grant writing, coordinating educational training for professional advisers, and developing a mission statement.The Carbon County Community Foundation is also launching its first grant application round, requesting proposals from eligible nonprofit organizations that provide services within the county.The group will make grants and resources available for high-impact opportunities that will make the greatest difference for county residents.Fall grant applications are due by Sept. 1.The Carbon County Community Foundation was formed to address the specific needs of the residents of Carbon County.Seven community leaders began the foundation with their initial donations, which were matched by the grant from the Luzerne Foundation.As a result of both grants, the foundation will start with a general found of more than $232,000.It will offer various funds to help fulfill the charitable intent of specific donors.Residents are encouraged to add the Carbon County Community Foundation to their estate plans.For more information, email

cccfPresident@gmail.com, or speak to any founding board member for more information.