For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — Giving money back is what the Marshfield Area Community Foundation (MACF) is all about. All MACF funds generate charitable donations that go back into the community it serves with the mission to connecting people who care with causes that matter to enrich the quality of life in the Marshfield area.

MACF has provided grants totaling $5 million for causes such as education, recreation, artistic/cultural, conservation, community enrichment and development, and other charitable or benevolent purposes. Agencies or organizations applying for funds must be serving citizens of the greater Marshfield area.

MACF is requesting groups to apply for funding for 2016 grants.

Community grants are MACF’s best means of responding to new or changing charitable needs in the community. Community grants are supported by the Community Grants Fund, the Forever Fund, and several other funds, including the Heinzen Family Fund. Community grants are discretionary grants awarded annually on a competitive basis.

A second source of discretionary grants is The Senior Citizens Fund, which addresses the needs of the senior population.

Another source of special funding is the new Women’s Giving Circle Fund. This fund awards grants to programs that address the needs of women and/or children.

Guidelines and applications for Community, Senior, and Women’s Giving Circle Grants are available at marshfieldareacommunityfoundation.org.

The deadline for submitting grant applications is June 1, 2016.