By Krystle J Bailey
What do equine therapy, new bike stations, and music education in Atlantic City have in common? These community-based projects by local non-profit organizations have all been made possible with support from the Atlantic City Community Fund.
The local “community chest” was founded in 2017 in an effort to improve the conditions and quality of life for all who live, work, and play in Atlantic City. Led by Ben Zeltner, community member and partner at Levine Staller Legal Services, the ACCF exists to strengthen the community through services catered to youth and senior programs, community services, parks and recreation, arts and culture, and urban renewal.
Now in its fourth year of grant giving, ACCF is hosting its annual fundraiser Sept. 20 at Backstage Cafe inside of Hard Rock Casino & Hotel.The highly-anticipated event will host special guests including Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, Mayor Marty Small Sr., and Anthony Faranca, President of Hard Rock Atlantic City. Tickets and sponsorship packages are available with 100 percent of the money raised going to the betterment of Atlantic City and the people who live there. Tickets to the reception are $50 and available at accommunityfund.org.
This past year, the ACCF awarded 22 grants, sponsoring projects including Shakespere on the Boardwalk by Atlantic City Theatre Company, music education by Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation, healing garden space by Muh’s Garden of Life, and 19 other community projects. Mighty Writers, The Leadership Studio, Mud Girls Studios, C.R.O.P.S. and Covenant House New Jersey are just a few of the other organizations to receive grants from ACCF this year.
“We are very proud to have received funding from the Atlantic City Community Fund for three years in a row. The first grant we received from ACCF set in motion the expansion of our organization in a big way,” shares Alicia Newcomb, Executive Director of C.R.O.P.S. “We were able add more paid internship positions, expand our SNAP accessible farmers market into Atlantic City and now the fund is supporting our effort to open a storefront space in Tanger Outlets bringing fresh food, local goods and educational programming to the community year round.”
The next round of grand applications will be announced toward the end of 2022. Applicants must have a non-profit organization based in Atlantic City that serves the local community. The goal of the upcoming annual fundraiser is to raise as much money as possible for the upcoming grant applications and raise awareness about the Atlantic City Community Fund.
The Atlantic City Community Fund board is comprised of community leaders with a passion and commitment to the betterment of Atlantic City.
“In addition to the funding they provide, the ACCF board is made up of community members who are always willing support and advise the organizations they help and who care about creating positive change in the world around them,” – Alicia Newcomb of C.R.O.P.S.
To get involved, purchase tickets, or learn more, visit www.accommunityfund.org or Atlantic City Community Fund on Facebook.
Atlantic City Community Fund Annual Fundraiser
Sept. 20
Backstage Cafe inside Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Tickets $50
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.
Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
