ELY- The nonprofit Ely Community Resource was overjoyed last week to receive $6,944 from the 100+ Ely Women Who Care. The group, represented by Cindy Gardner, presented the donation check to ECR on Wednesday, May 22, at the new gym on the Ely Public Schools campus.
100+ Ely Women Who Care is a giving circle dedicated to supporting local nonprofit organizations. The group meets twice a year to pick a local nonprofit to receive the members’ collective donations.
The ECR learned at the end of April that they had lost close to $150,000 in state funding that had been traditionally renewed in the past. “We were so thrilled and really gratified to receive the vote from 100+ Ely Women Who Care this year,” ECR executive director Julie Hignell told the Timberjay, “because of our shortfall in state funding which we were hoping to get to continue and expand our programs for kids in Ely.”
The shortfall put ECR in a tight spot for funding their summer and fall programs. The nearly 50-year-old nonprofit offers twelve different programs for Ely youth, including four programs with after-school activities, two in-school homework help programs, family outreach services, reading programs, and summer activities.
Hignell explained that the ECR has stepped up its fundraising and grant writing. The organization had a reserve built up which has helped to tide it over while they secure more funding and prevented laying off staff members. Hignell is hopeful that the current situation is temporary.
Donations to ECR can be sent to the group at its home address of 111 S. 4th Ave E.
Ely, MN 55731.