Eight Upstate organizations receive Barbara Stone Foundation’s Community Innovation Grants to support programming for people with disabilities

The Barbara Stone Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on supporting visionary and creative programs and initiatives for individuals with disabilities, recently awarded eight Community Innovation Grants to Upstate non-profits. The Barbara Stone Foundation invests in innovative programs that directly support individuals with disabilities through their bi-annual Community Innovation Grants program.

The following eight non-profit organizations were presented with grants totaling over $28,000:

• Adaptive Pickleball – $2,500 grant for adaptive pickleball program expenses and adaptive equipment
• Center for Developmental Services- $2,500 grant to support CDS’ Head and Spinal Cord Injury (HASCI) clients
• David’s Table – $4,000 grant to support 2023 Camp David Family Camp Scholarships
• Heather’s Ride – $5,000 grant to help with the purchase of an additional off-Road handcycle
• Klub Lift – $3,500 grant for a specialized trainer
• Rollin’ Tigers – $5,000 grant for a new all-court basketball chair for the Rollin’ Tigers (Junior Wheelchair Basketball Team)
• Roper Mountain Science Center – $3,772 grant to purchase supplies support and their greenhouse kit for a new farm to school Edible Garden Project, which works directly with Greenville County Schools and Roper Mountain Connections Café
• Upcountry History Museum – $2,500 grant to assist in underwriting Connections Café, a monthly program for people with Alzheimer’s and family members at the UHM.

“There are virtually no health and wellness programs available in the Upstate for individuals with disabilities, so Nick Franchina and I started the non-profit organization called KLUB LIFT to help teach train and support individuals with autism with a fitness and wellness routine,” said Peter Kapetanakos. “A Community Innovation Grant from the Barbara Stone Foundation will help us grow and support KLUB LIFT by adding more Autism certified Trainers to meet the needs of our community.”

The 2022 Barbara Stone Foundation board members include Jimmy Kimbell, President, Michele Reeves, Vice President, Riku Oinonen, Treasurer, Amy Hallasy, Secretary, Dr. Lisa Castellani, Matthew Collins, Marion Elliott, Elizabeth Piper, Nick Skenteris, Brooke Schmidt, Harriet Pollitt Wallace, and the Honorable Nick Theodore, President Emeritus.

To learn more about Barbara Stone Foundation grants, visit www.barbarastonefoundation.org. The deadline to submit Fall grant applications is March 15, 2023. Details are online at www.barbarastonefoundation.org/grants/application-process. For questions contact, Executive Director, Lara Ceisel at [email protected].

About The Barbara Stone Foundation

Since 1991, the Barbara Stone Foundation has provided funds to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The mission of the Barbara Stone Foundation is to raise funds to enhance the quality of life for citizens of Greenville County with developmental disabilities, head and spinal cord injuries, and autism. To learn more, visit www.barbarastonefoundation.org or find the organization on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.