The Sundt Foundation awarded more than $120,000 in grants to 41 non-profit organizations this quarter. The money will be used primarily for programs that benefit disadvantaged children and adults in areas where Sundt has an office or an active construction project.
One of the grant recipients was Canine Companions for Independence, headquartered in Santa Rosa, Calif., an organization that provides highly trained assistance dogs to adults and children with disabilities. The $2,000 grant will support the organization’s “Exceptional Dog for Exceptional Children” program, where Sacramento-area children with disabilities and their families attend a two-week course that teaches dog handling skills and care to the recipients. Currently there are six children from the Sacramento area on the waiting list for a service dog.
The Sundt Foundation was established in 1999 by Sundt Construction, Inc., as a way for its employee-owners to give back to the communities in which they work. In addition to sponsoring volunteer activities, the Foundation distributes grants every quarter. The money to fund those grants is raised primarily through contributions from Sundt employees, which are then matched dollar-for-dollar by the company.
Since its inception the Foundation has made grants totaling more than $5 million to hundreds of worthy organizations. Approximately 75 percent of the money goes to help disadvantaged children, with the remaining 25 percent dedicated to community issues. Employees can also earmark their donations for charitable organizations that benefit members of the military and their families.