• Image and Feel —The areas of focus are those cultural and visual arts projects that invigorate the senses and makes citizens more aware of the beauty of the world around them.  The organizations most likely to receive funding in this category are major performing arts groups and arts advocacy groups and a communities’ museum and library.  Priorities include:

•  1. Participation in Troy and surrounding communities events and programs
  

• Lifelong Learning — The areas of focus are those educational projects that stimulate creativity and leads to actions and change for a more vibrant community.  Grants are given at all age levels. Open to all public and private schools.  Priorities include:

• 1. K-12 education, school-to-work and career awareness programs
• 2. Team Competitions and Group Attendance at Conferences.  The maximum award per student is $125.  The total for the organization is capped at $1000. 
• 3. Citizenship education
• 4. Environmental education
• 5. Programs that increase student participation and retention. To support these priorities, grants are given to student groups to participate in career enhancement programs.

Restrictions:

• 6. Scholarships are not provided.
• 7. Requests for capital campaign funding from the tax-supported institutions are discouraged.
• 8. Organizations that want to implement program in local K-12 public schools must be recommended by local school superintendent to be considered.

• Lifestyles — Areas of focus are those projects that are for senior self-sufficiency skills building, family counseling programs, transportation programs and parenting skills building.   Support may be given directly to human service programs and agencies.  Priorities include:
  
  

• 1. Programs that focus on prevention rather than treatment or remediation.
• 2. Coalitions of non-profit organizations serving the same clients.

• Wealth Creation —— Areas of focus are those projects that promote a balance between residential and business to assure a strong economic future through redevelopment, innovation and appropriate use of resources while maintaining a family-centered quality of life. Priorities include:
  

• 1. Broad-based community planning efforts initiated by funders and/or sponsored by major civic organizations/business associations.
• 2. Organizations that can demonstrate significant local resident involvement in their activities.

• Diversity – Areas of focus are those projects that promote harmonious relationships and open communication in a diverse community through education and multicultural exchange.  Priorities include:

• 1. Events where a large number of ethnic groups participate
• 2. Forums for understanding

• Healthy Youth — Priority areas for Youth Programs are:

• 1. Smoking prevention and cessation
• 2. Substance abuse
• 3. Violence and conflict resolution
• 4. Access to dental care
• 5. Community alternatives for recreational and child care

• Healthy Seniors — Priority areas for Senior Programs are:

• 1. Pharmaceuticals education
• 2. Preventing and managing chronic disease
• 3. Long-term care alternatives
• 4. Mental health and aging
• 5. Workforce and aging