By Greg Keener
Shallow Ford Foundation

The Shallow Ford Foundation has announced the award of seven grants to local organizations bringing programs to the Mary Alice Warren Community Center in 2023. In addition, six grants have been awarded to organizations that serve the needs and interests of Lewisville and Clemmons communities. Funding is from the Lewisville-Clemmons Community Fund and fund partners of the Shallow Ford Foundation.

Mary Alice Warren Community Center Programming Grants
Grants of up to $2,500 each were awarded through a competitive grant application. A team of community volunteers evaluated and recommended funding for these programs to the Shallow Ford Foundation’s board of directors.

Programs will be provided by arts councils, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. Over the course of the coming year, the community will be able to learn new skills, create art and even learn to swing dance. A complete list of organizations and programs is listed below.

“These grants are made possible by our donors and illustrate how local philanthropists can help expand arts and culture in our communities,” said Sandi Scannelli, foundation president/CEO. “We hope others will continue this spirit of giving and help us support more offerings in the future in a facility beautifully designed for such use.”

“The town of Lewisville is very excited for the programs that were awarded grants by the Shallow Ford Foundation,” said Brian Moore, Mary Alice Warren Community Center facilities and programming manager. “These programs will provide an opportunity for our residents to learn and try new things to enrich their lives. We are extremely grateful to continue our partnership with the Shallow Ford Foundation.”

The community center opened in 2021 and was named the Mary Alice Warren Community Center honoring Lewisville resident Mary Alice Warren, who donated the 15-acre site on which the center was built. The community center is located on Lewisville-Clemmons Road next to Jack Warren Park, a 15-acre multi-use park also donated to the Town by Mary Alice Warren that opened in 2010.

Details, including dates and registration information on the programs, will be announced throughout 2023. Some programs will be offered free of charge and some will carry a nominal registration fee.

Go to lewisvillenc.net/MAWCC or contact the presenting organization directly to learn more.

2022-2023 Mary Alice Warren Community Center Programming Grant Awards and Programs:

40+ Stage Company
Two programs: a series of classes providing an introduction to basic skills needed for auditions in community theater, and a seminar workshop to help students with prior public speaking experience hone their skills on stage. Funded by the Lewisville-Clemmons Community Fund.

Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County
Hands-on visual arts classes and workshops led by professional art instructors, including free art activities and storytelling performances geared toward youth and families. Funded by the Thad and Mary Bingham Community Fund.

Cancer Services
A series of Well Beyond Cancer Workshops in 2023. Sessions will have a combination of healing art activity, wellness education and survivorship social connections. Funded by the Thad and Mary Bingham Community Fund and an anonymous donor fund.

Reynolda House Museum of American Art
Three Reynolda Discovery lessons for young children to enjoy hands-on art activities while making connections to works of art in Reynolda’s collection. Sessions will be led by an experienced Reynolda Educator. Funded by the Lewisville-Clemmons Community Fund.

Salem Swing Band
A program offering a beginner swing dance lesson with dance instructors from the Piedmont Swing Dance Society, along with music by Salem Swing Band — swing-era music for slow and fast swing dancing or just listening. There will also be a separate event with Salem Band for swing dancers to practice their steps. Funded by the Thad and Mary Bingham Funds.

Yadkin Arts Council
A weeklong series of a variety of art classes that will be taught by the Yadkin Arts Council Artist Members. These “sampler sessions” of low-cost art experiences will offer attendees the opportunity to explore their creative outlets by trying out different art mediums, such as alcohol inks, collage, mosaics, gelli-plate monoprinting, pastels, needle felting, photography, cyanotype printing, quilling, silk scarf dyeing, watercolor and more. Funded by an anonymous donor.

Lewisville-Clemmons Community Grants
Grants of up to $6,500 each were awarded through a competitive grant application. Area nonprofit organizations seeking tangible solutions for unmet community needs and interests in Lewisville and Clemmons submitted proposals which were evaluated by teams of volunteers. Endorsed projects where then recommended for funding to the foundation’s board of directors for their approval.

“These programs will truly provide solutions to needs, raise organizational capacity for hardworking nonprofits, and strengthen a sense of community,” said Shallow Ford Foundation Program Officer Greg Keener. “The foundation looks forward to seeing their successes in 2023.”

2022-2023 Lewisville-Clemmons Community Grants:

Big Brothers Big Sisters
A project with the Interfaith Alliance of Clemmons and Lewisville to provide a trained mentor for school-referred, at-risk children at Ward, Morgan and Lewisville elementary schools. The grant is funded by the Women Who Care About Community Fund.

Cancer Services
Survivor Engagement and Patient Advocacy to engage cancer survivors in Clemmons and Lewisville communities and ensure access for those at risk of health disparities to receive treatment and support. The grant is funded by the Thad and Mary Bingham Community Fund and the Keoleian Family Fund.

Diaper Bank of North Carolina
The distribution of free diapers, baby wipes and feminine products to low-income individuals and families in Clemmons. These hygiene products will be distributed through the Clemmons Food Pantry. Funded by the Thad and Mary Bingham Community Fund, the Keoleian Family Fund, and an anonymous donor fund.

Humane Society of Davie County
Expanding the low-cost spay-neuter program to help reduce the unwanted pet population and burden on pet owners, shelters and rescues. Funded by the Thad and Mary Bingham Community Fund and the Keoleian Family Fund.

IFB Solutions
A program providing students with indispensable vision accommodations to help enhance their core literacy skills by ensuring greater access to independent learning outside of the classroom. Funded by the Thad and Mary Bingham Community Fund.

Lewisville Area Arts Council
The reception and exhibition of work by “The Exhibiting Artists” of the Lewisville Area Arts Council to introduce new artists and classes in the G. Galloway Reynolds Community Center. Funded by the Lewisville-Clemmons Community Fund.

The Shallow Ford Foundation is a community foundation serving Clemmons, Lewisville, Yadkin County and northern Davidson County, working to connect community and philanthropy for enduring results. More information on the foundation’s work is available at shallowfordfoundation.org.