“Our Community Grants program really tries to identify opportunities where our dollars can help a nonprofit become more efficient or promote innovative solutions to community issues,” said Dan Peters, executive director of the Hastings Community Foundation. “We really view this grant program as a way for us to invest in our community for long-term results.”

“We are proud of it because we were the first program to ask for funding for a child’s witness room and this led to other CASA programs across the state asking their local foundations for funding for a child’s witness room. Thank you HCF for being a bold leader in such an amazing project that I believe has now impacted hundreds of victims across the state.”

“This has been a very successful year for HLP,” said Johnson. “We've met and surpassed all our goals and the tablet program helped make it happen. Thank you for supporting us!”

“The paths have brightened our walking areas for children and given them a creative way to move and build connections in their brains responsible for sight, touch and sound.”

The garden’s hand-on learning approach of teaching gives the students "that are not in touch with nature, a chance to learn while getting their hands dirty” Martinez said. “It has been such a blessing!”