Members of the 20/20 Circle gathered at Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton on Oct. 15 to select a local nonprofit to receive this year’s grant from the 20/20 Fund at the Carbon County Community Foundation.

Following presentations from three area nonprofit finalists, members voted to award a $5,000 grant to the Rotary Club of Jim Thorpe to support its Summer Recreation Camp, which provides affordable, supervised summer activities for local children.

Thanks to the generosity of two individual 20/20 Circle members, the other two finalists will also receive funding this year:

• Domestic Violence Service Center — $5,000 grant from the Joseph & Debra Kay Bennet Charitable Fund to support the Carbon County “End It Now” Program.

• Family Promise of Carbon County — $5,000 grant from an anonymous donor to support the purchase of furniture and other equipment for a new warming shelter and soup kitchen at the shelter.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that every nonprofit finalist at the annual meeting has received funding thanks to the generosity and collective spirit of the 20/20 Circle member.

The 20/20 Circle brings individuals and businesses together to amplify their community impact by pooling their philanthropic dollars and collectively deciding which local projects to support with grants from the 20/20 Fund. Each year, one organization is selected to receive the 20/20 Circle grant, but additional member contributions often allow more nonprofits to benefit.

“The 20/20 Circle is such a special group of people who truly care about making a difference in Carbon County,” said Sharon Alexander, president of the Carbon County Community Foundation. “Their generosity continues to grow each year, and it’s inspiring to see how much impact can happen when people come together to give.”

The Carbon County Community Foundation received two dozen grant applications from nonprofits wishing to share their projects with the 20/20 Circle. A volunteer committee of 20/20 Circle members reviewed the applications and narrowed them down to the three who were invited to participate.

This year’s dinner marked the sixth year of grants awarded through the 20/20 Circle and its members, continuing a tradition of generosity, collaboration and commitment to improving the quality of life in Carbon County.

To date, the 20/20 Circle has awarded more than $20,000 in grants with an additional $30,000 provided by member matching donations.

To join the 20/20 Circle, members pledge a one-time contribution of $1,000 to the 20/20 Circle Fund, a permanent endowment at the community foundation. Membership can be paid all at once or paid over a period of up to four years, or just $21/month. 20/20 Circle members meet annually to hear presentations from area nonprofits and then vote to decide which project will receive the grant (one vote per membership).

Because the 20/20 Fund is an endowment, awards will be given out every year forever, with the grant amount increase as membership grows.

The 20/20 Circle currently hosts 140 members. When membership reaches 250, the 20/20 Circle will be able to award $10,000 every year, forever.

Established in 2018, the 20/20 Circle includes individuals and businesses working together to increase their impact on the Carbon County community. Members pledge a one-time contribution of $1,000 to the 20/20 Circle Fund, an endowment invested for continued growth.

Each year, members gather to hear from the most promising organizations and projects serving the Carbon County region and vote to decide which project to support with a grant from the 20/20 Circle fund.

Learn more about the Carbon County Community Foundation at cccfoundpa.org or by calling 1-855-545-1311.