This past summer, the board of trustees of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation approved a grant from the First Solar Community Giving Fund to the 577 Foundation in the amount of $10,700. These funds were used to launch the foundation’s new Curiosity Shop.
Through two opportunities, the First Solar Community Giving Fund provides support to programs that seek to improve the quality of life in communities around the world. It places an emphasis on programs that meet the First Solar Corporate giving values, which include: focusing on “green” education initiatives; access to clean energy and water in underserved areas, and furthering the development of innovative and sustainable technologies.
The grant was used as startup money to launch the reimagined Curiosity Shop, formerly known as the Book Center, at 577 following the pandemic.
The shop reclaims gently used books and craft supplies, keeping these materials out of landfills and putting them in the hands of others at affordable rates.
Revenue subsidizes 577’s environmental and educational classes to keep class prices affordable so that everyone in the community can access them.
“Without this grant from the First Solar Community Giving Fund, we would not have been able to expand the Curiosity Shop into offering reusable art supplies in addition to books, pottery, and plants, nor would we have been able to provide a welcoming space at the entrance of 577 for people to browse, connect, and linger,” said Heather Gallant, executive director of the 577 Foundation.
“We are tremendously grateful for the early funding this grant provided so that people have a place where they can feel good about regifting their art supplies and books to others, at a place that promotes conservation and sustainable environmental practices in Northwest Ohio.”
The 577 Foundation is at 577 East Front Street, Perrysburg. Visit 577foundation. org for information.
