2021 is a milestone year for the Carman Area Foundation's (CAF) annual granting initiative.

This year, the Foundation is investing $101,000 back into the community by supporting 35 local organizations and projects.

"That's a huge number!", said Foundation spokesperson, Jennifer Ching-Faux.

Click below to view a list of the 2021 recipients.

Meantime, the first-ever Dine-At-Home Gala in support of the Carman Area Foundation is being called a success!According to Ching-Faux, 400 meals were served during the Friday event that replaced the organization's typical fund-raising gala usually held each spring.

Donors pre-selected a take-out meal for the evening from a list of six participating restaurants. They were greeted at the restaurant by members of the CAF when they arrived to pick up their food and were offered a swag bag and dessert.

"It was fantastic," said Ching-Faux, "we received incredible support from not only our traditional donor base but we brought on some new participants."

However, she notes the Foundation won't know how much money was raised from the event for about another two weeks.

"What the Carman Area Foundation does is they encourage donations after the event. There is no set cost to participate," explained Ching-Faux. "Donors can give whatever they feel like, whatever the value the Foundation brings to their life and to their community organization."

That evening, the Foundation posted a video to its social media page offering donors an update on its operations and a glimpse of the impact they have on the region by continually supporting the organization.

Click here to learn more about the Carman Area Foundation and what else its got in store for 2021.