2013 Grants Committee Report

A report from the Grants Committee

Updated 12/31/2013

Dear Lithuanian Foundation Members and Donors,

Every year, the Lithuanian Foundation Grants Committee which is approved by the Lithuanian Foundation (LF) Board of Directors meets to review and recommend grant appropriations.  The grant appropriations recommended for the year 2013 have been approved by the Board of Directors for disbursement.

The Lithuanian Foundation appropriates grants to support Lithuanian education, culture and scholarship, to support the preservation of the Lithuanian language and traditions.  It also awards scholarships to youths of Lithuanian heritage.

The Lithuanian Foundation operates and makes awards within the scope of Section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.  Funding deliberations are guided by listed priorities for Grants and Scholarships, as approved by the LF Board of Directors.

In 2013 for project support and scholarships $391,533 were appropriated.

The Grants Committee met on May 18, 2013 at the Lithuanian World  Center, Lemont, Ill.  Present at the meeting was the entire 2013 Grants Committee membership, Marius Kasniunas, Chairman of the Board, and Jurate Mereckis, LF Administrator and Algis Kasniunas, secretary for this meeting.  The Lithuanian Foundation voting members of the Grants Committee were:  Chairman Vytautas Narutis, Arvydas Tamulis, Dalius F. Vasys, and alternate Rita Kisielius. Lithuanian American Community members were Robertas Selenis,  Jurgita Mockute, Virgus Volertas, and  alternate Laura Garnyte.

The Grants Committee. From the left: Jurgita Mockute,  Vytautas Narutis, Laura Garnyte. Second row from the left: Rita Kisielius,  Arvydas Tamulis, Virgus Volertas, Robertas Selenis,  Dalius F. Vasys.

This year 90 grant applications were received, of these, the Committee approved funding of 61 applications. The final decisions were submitted by the LF Grants Commission to the LF Board of Directors for final approval. The total amount approved for disbursement in grants was – $299,063. (The results of the grant allocation are posted here).

Of note, the following are the largest projects that received grants:

• • $87,000 Support of Lithuanian Heritage Schools
  • $24,000 Lithuanian Research and Studies Center
  • $19,000 Student Internship in Lithuania program
  • $15,000 For the projects of  LAC, Cultural Council
  • $12,000 Lithuanian World Center

 

The Scholarship Subcommittee met on November 16, 2013 at Lithuanian World Center, Lemont, IL. Present at the meeting was entire 2013 Scholarship Subcommittee, Marius Kasniunas, Chairman of the Board, Jurate Mereckis, LF administrator, and Vida Bieliauskiene, LF administrative assistant.

Members of the Scholarship Subcommittee. From the right: Kestutis Nakas, Darius Sabaliunas, Agne Vertelkaite, Scholarship Subcommittee Chair Tauras Bublys, Sigita Baniulis, Rita Bieliauskas, Jonas Grazys, Albertas Tuskenis, Grants Committee Chair Vytautas Narutis.

Submitted were 99 scholarship applications in 2013. Scholarships totaling $63,692 were granted to those of Lithuanian descent and given to 48 students. (The results of the scholarship allocation are poster here).

Grants in the amount of $8,826 and scholarships in the amount of $19,952 will be distributed directly according to the donor’s designation. (You can familiarize yourself  with donor designated special funds and their supported areas here).

The requests for financial support  have been increasing in the past years and opportunities to provide meaningful financial assistance more plentiful. Recognizing this, the Lithuanian Foundation has been reaching out for additional contributions to expand its capital base. We would certainly welcome additional contributions or your recommendations on soliciting donations.

Sincere gratitude is expressed to the Committee membership for their hard work and sincerity.  Their volunteered efforts, including the funding of their own travel expenses, are very much appreciated.  Also, all of us thank the LF administration for the countless hours of preparation and streamlining to facilitate and make possible this entire effort.  Additionally we sincerely thank our member and donors for their support, past and future, that makes all of this possible.

Sincerely,

Vytautas Narutis, Chairman of the Grants Committee