Friday set as deadline for applications

By Donnie A. Lucas

This Friday is the deadline for organizations that plan to apply for 2021 funding from the Albany Chest.

Applications need to be finished and submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 3.

Board vice chair Melinda Lucas said Monday that only a few applications had been received so far, and she emphasized that all organizations wishing to receive an allocation from the Albany Chest must submit a written request by the deadline.

“Typically, lots of applications come in at the last minute, but the board intends to enforce the deadline, so plan to get your paperwork to us by the end of the day tomorrow,” she said. 

Last year, two dozen organizations requested Chest monies, so there are still quite a few applications expected.

Lucas also stressed that the amount being requested should not be more than $3,000.

The Chest by-laws allow the directors to exceed that amount in specific situations, but only when an organization has a one-time need and provides details about how the funding will be spent. 

Application forms can be obtained at First National Bank, First Financial Bank, and The Albany News, or by requesting an emailed form at news@thealbanynews.net.

The form asks a few questions with brief answers that specify the information needed to make decisions about how much money to give each organization.

The letters must be returned to Jana Kitchens at First Financial, Paige Adair at First National, or Lucas at the news office.

The forms can also be scanned and sent to news@thealbanynews.net.

The requests will be reviewed at the board’s next meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 7, and a goal will be set to get the fundraising drive underway.

The board hopes to mail letters to previous Chest donors and new prospects soon to kick off the 2020 campaign.

The directors will meet at 5:15 p.m. next Wednesday at the Feed Store to get this year’s drive officially underway.