Glens Falls, New York: In 2005 The Charles R. Wood Foundation Board of Directors awarded a total of $451,400 in grants to area not-for-profit organizations representing an increase of $141,600 over the total granted by the Foundation in 2004.

The Charles R. Wood Foundation was founded in 1978 for the purpose of providing assistance to areas of special need in the Lake George Region and surrounding areas. Grants are awarded to not-for-profit organizations with an emphasis on programs for children, healthcare and the arts. Mr. Wood, founder of Storytown USA, the present-day Great Escape Theme Park, the Double H Hole in the Woods Camp for critically ill children and numerous other endeavors and businesses in the area, died in September of 2004 leaving the majority of his estate to the Foundation that bears his name.

In 2005 The Charles R. Wood Foundation awarded the following grants: $3,000 to the Ft. Edward Rescue Squad; $6,000 to support the Glens Falls Symphony holiday concert; $1,000 for The Glens Falls Little League; and $100,000 to The Glens Falls Hospital; $100,000 to Saratoga Performing Arts Center, to support the 2005 July residency of The New York City Ballet; $10,000 to Habitat for Humanity; $2,500 to The Lake George Community Band; $2,500 to the Warren County Historical Society; $1,000 to the Glens Falls Salvation Army; $10,000 to The Adirondack Theatre Festival in support of the Stagewrite Program in the schools; $28,000 to The Alzheimer's Association for training of home health aides; $10,000 to The Homefront Development Corp, earmarked for one home to be upgraded for handicapped accessibility; $1,000 to The Prospect Child & Family Center; $2,500 to The Cornerstone Soup Kitchen, for meals during the holidays; $25,000 to the Saratoga Rowing Assoc. for "The Charles R. Wood Learn to Row Program; $12,500 to The Open Door Soup Kitchen, $10,000 towards utility costs and $2,500 to provide meals during the holidays; $7,250 to Big Brothers & Big Sisters; $25,000 to The Moreau Community Center to support renovations for their pre-school; $75,000 to The Pember Museum to purchase computers for the Library; $8,500 to Ft. Edward Historical Association; $15,000 to St. Mary's, Lake Luzerne, for restoration of their historic building. An additional $5,650 was granted to benefit various other not-for-profit organizations.

The Foundation Board reviews grant applications twice a year, in the Spring and late Fall. There are no deadlines for application submissions and applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received. Grants are awarded to organizations that focus their efforts in areas that benefit children, healthcare and the arts.

Not-for-profit organizations that fall within the granting guidelines are encouraged to apply to The Charles R. Wood Foundation to be considered for funding. Information about grant applications can be obtained online at: