The Fayette Area Common Fund awarded $42,400 to local agencies supporting education, food security, family services, animal welfare, and senior care at a grant reception celebrating the impact of community generosity. The grants eclipsed last year’s total by almost $10,000.

Grant recipients included Christmas Holiday House ($900); Daly Elementary-Kindergarten ($1,500); First Baptist Church School Supply Giveaway ($2,000); Fayette Ministerial Alliance Benevolence Fund ($10,000); Fayette Ministerial Alliance Buddy Pack Program ($2,500); Fayette Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry ($15,000); Pet Adoption & Welfare Service (PAWS) ($2,500); and the Fayette Senior Center ($8,000).

For 48 years, the nonprofit Fayette Area Common Fund has provided financial support to local organizations that benefit the community, including the Fayette Senior Center, Parents as Teachers, the Fayette Ministerial Alliance Buddy Pack and Benevolence Fund, PAWS, and the Christmas Holiday House. Members of the Howard County Community Foundation include Allen Garrett, Dennis Potter, Sarah Page, Pat Hilgedick, Julie Parrish, and Paula Thies.

Each year, the fund accepts grant applications and donations from individuals and businesses in the community who wish to support multiple projects in Fayette by making a single donation to one or more groups. The latest campaign ran through October. Funds pledged after December 31 will be applied to the 2026 campaign. Sponsorship levels range from $99 to $5,000. Pledges may be dropped off at Commercial Trust Company in Fayette with checks payable to the Howard County Community Foundation with “Common Fund” listed in the memo.

Last year, the Fayette Area Common Fund raised $32,750. These funds were distributed to the Fayette Senior Citizen Center, the Fayette Ministerial Alliance Buddy Pack Program, First Christian Church Holiday House, P.A.W.S. (Pet Adoption & Welfare Service), the First Baptist Church School Supply Giveaway, AWE, the Fayette Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, and the Fayette public school Kindergarten program.