A Community Thrives calls for project plans

Grant applications are now being accepted for $600,000 that will be distributed around the country for projects centered around education, wellness and arts/culture.

The grants are part of the “A Community Thrives” program sponsored by The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com (part of the USA TODAY NETWORK) and The Gannett Foundation.

The deadline to apply is Thursday. The program aims to give national exposure to local issues.

“The needs are so great, and we have so many worthy programs,” said Stacy Sullivan, community relations director for The Republic/azcentral. “It would be great to bring some of these funds back to Arizona.”

It’s the second year for A Community Thrives. In 2017, the program received 923 idea submissions from 422 communities.

Nine awards were made for projects as diverse as an artist-in-residence program in Wisconsin and an all-inclusive playground in Tennessee. None were in Arizona.

To apply, tell us how you want to impact your community in a positive way, why you want to do it, and how a grant would help make your idea possible.

The best ideas will receive anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000.

New this year is a partnership with CrowdRise, which adds a crowdfunding element to the program, allowing applicants to raise money for their own social impact ideas and to make an impact regardless of whether they receive a grant.

Grants will be awarded based on viability, sustainability and impact of the idea.

Entrants that raise the most money on CrowdRise will be given additional money from the Gannett Foundation.