Freeport-McMoRan Foundation Awards $500,000 to Grant County New Mexico Recipients

May 20, 2014 /3BL Media/ - The Freeport-McMoRan Foundation awarded a total of $500,000 through the Community Investment Fund to 17 programs in Grant County, New Mexico.

The Community Investment Fund was established in 2011. The 2014 grant recipients are:

· Aldo Leopold Charter School/Grant County Youth Business Incubator – $24,250

A collaboration between Aldo Leopold Charter School District and Cobre Consolidated School District, the program will first educate 400 students about "What it Takes to Start a Business," then train 40 students through the 75-hour "Youth Entrepreneurs Program," and ultimately help 20 students actually start a business.

· El Grito, Inc./Pre-K Technology for School Readiness – $48,217

Funds for this project will be used to purchase classroom technology that includes learning tools to support school readiness for pre-K students, including updated computers for nine classrooms serving approximately 185 children.

· First Born Program – $25,000

The program will receive a grant to improve the health and wellness of all first-time families regardless of economic or medical status.

· Gila Regional Medical Center Foundation/Grant County Community Health Council (GCCHC)

Community Health Plan Implementation Project – $48,000

· Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest/Southern New Mexico, West Texas and Silver City Program Center Renovation Project – $40,000

Funds will be used to complete much needed updates and repairs to the Girl Scout Program Center in Silver City, making the building more usable, welcoming and safe for the Girls Scouts and troop volunteers.

· Hidalgo Medical Services Health Career Pathways Summer Academies – $38,900

Funds will be used for the implementation of three summer enrichment programs for high school students, introducing them to health-care related career opportunities available in the community while increasing their academic skills in relevant disciplines.

· Imagination Library of Grant County Inc./Families Hooked On Books – $20,000

With the delivery of a free book each month to Grant County preschoolers, this project prepares kids for successful learning experiences in kindergarten.

· Silver City Public Library/Digital Literacy Training: 21st Century Skills for a Sustainable Grant County – $15,000

Funds will be used to establish a mobile computer lab which allows the Library, in partnership with other community organizations, to offer technology training to increase digital literacy and provide enhanced educational opportunities to local residents.

· Literacy Link Leamos – $30,000

This program raises literacy levels in Grant County through a range of services including one-to-one tutoring, English as a Second Language classes, computer literacy instruction, community outreach and the "Let's Read" book project.

· National Dance Institute of New Mexico: Dancing to Success in Grant County – $10,000

The Institute, in partnership with the Grant County School District, will receive funds to serve 195 elementary students through a three-week dance residency program.

· New Mexico Affordable Housing Charitable Trust/New Mexico Energy$mart Program – $25,000

Funds will be used to weatherize the homes of 10 at-risk residents in Grant County who qualify for assistance, reducing maintenance and home energy costs which makes housing more affordable.

· Silver Regional Sexual Assault Support Services/Trauma-Informed Therapy for Survivors of Sexual Violence – $50,000

This program will use grant funds to provide trauma-informed therapy to survivors of sexual violence, ensuring they receive holistic care.

· Silver Adult Care Services/ Involved Seniors Project – $16,358

Funds will be used to create a day/respite care program for seniors exhibiting early signs of cognitive impairment.

· The Volunteer Center of Grant County/Food Acquisition and Distribution (FAD) Initiative – $40,000

This project will expand the Center's food acquisition and distribution programs.

· WNMU Rural Access to Chemistry Excellence Project – $31,075

Grant funds will be used to improve the quality of the Chemistry Program at WNMU.

· WNMU SPARKS: Using Geographic Information Systems to Ignite Community Change – $28,200

Grant funds will be used to develop a modern computer lab to facilitate the use of geographic information systems (GIS) for learning and community benefit such as the reducing the risk of wildfires.

· WNMU Transport to the Past Museum Adventures in Archaeology and History project – $10,000

This project will create a local experiential learning program within the museum, designed for grades K-5.

For further information about Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.’s social investment commitments, please see http://www.fcx.com/sd/community/comm_invest.htm

Please see the 2012 Working Toward Sustainable Development Report for more information on all of their social, economic and environmental efforts. http://www.fcx.com/sd/pdfs/WTSD_2012.pdf