College Point Community Fund: Applications now Open for 2017

The Karl Spahlinger, Jr. College Point Community Fund is a project of the One Point of Light Foundation created to awards micro-grants of $500 up to $2,500 to resident-led groups to work on community and school projects throughout College Point. 

Examples of said groups include: block associations, civic groups, community gardens, student groups, PTAs, Sports leagues and many others. Groups may be long-standing, newly established or in the process of forming, and are not required to have non-profit or 501(c)(3) status. Preference to groups working in the areas of education, animal rights/welfare.

 A commitment to improving and serving the College Point community is essential.

Our grants are not for: individuals; for-profit projects; businesses; organizations with paid staff; fraternal and partisan organizations; groups with an annual budget of greater than $100,000; religion-based initiatives; projects of staffed organizations.

We will not fund the following: rent, utilities, 501(c)(3) incorporation fees, salaries, speaker honorariums, luxury items, or subscriptions.

Submitting an application is easy: you can submit your application via email by downloading, entering your information and then emailing the Application Form in Word to the email address on the form.

You can also print it out, fill it out and mail it to the address on the form, but we prefer to receive electronically if possible

We look for projects that: are clear and thoughtful; address important community concerns; contribute to building stronger communities; bring neighbors together; and result in concrete improvements.

Upon completion of a group’s project, we will request a simple final report.

Applications are accepted once a year, and must be e-mailed as a PDF by 11:59pm, October 15, 2017 to lynneserpe.nyc@gmail.com with the words “College Point Community Fund” in the subject header.

Applicants will be notified of grant decisions by late November 2017.

Groups awarded a grant will be mailed a check by the end of 2017.

We’re happy to answer questions about the application. Contact Grant Officer Lynne Serpe at lynnerpe.nyc@gmail.com or visit http://onepointoflightfoundation.blogspot.com/

2017-2018 Scholarship Winners Announced

The One Point of Light Foundation is pleased to announce that the Karl A Spahlinger Scholarship has been awarded to eight young College Point residents for the 2017-2018 academic year. For some of these students, it is their second year receiving the scholarship:

·         Orunava Aarunee (2nd year)

·         Sarah Arestin (2nd year)

·         Melanie Dobuler (1st year)

·         Sharon Liao (2nd year)

·         James Ng (2nd year)

·         Jennifer Ng (1st year)

·         Cassandra Renart (1st year)

·         Alyssa Striano (2nd year)

The Karl A Spahlinger, Jr. Scholarship Fund is distributed by the One Point of Light Foundation. The scholarship was established in 2015 with a mission to provide financial assistance to individuals enrolled for undergraduate study in community colleges, colleges, trade schools and universities in New York City.

All applicants had to complete and submit a Scholarship Application by mid-April. There was also a Scholarship Renewal process for those who have received a scholarship the previous year. The Karl A Spahlinger Scholarships were awarded on the basis of a comprehensive process, on the basis of academic merit and demonstrated financial need. Recipients must have permanent residence status in College Point, Queens.

Recipients must be accepted as a full time student at a college, university, or trade school program for the upcoming academic year. Scholarships are awarded without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.

The one-year scholarships help cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $2,500 per year. This year, all eight students will be receiving the maximum amount.

The One Point of Light Foundation was established in 1999 by Karl A. Spahlinger, Jr., a long-time resident of College Point, Queens. A graduate of NYU, Mr. Spahlinger was an engineer for AT&T and Verizon. He was interested in feeding and housing the homeless, improving educational opportunities for youth, and the care and protection of animals.

For more information, contact Grant Officer Lynne Serpe at 646-202-0825 or email questions to lynneserpe.nyc@gmail.com with “Scholarship” in the subject header.