Coleman Senior Center awarded $50k for renovations

The first grant awarded by the Coleman County Foundation was announced at a press conference on March 16, 2000. The grant award of $25,000 was presented to the Senior Citizens Center to assist with the renovation of a new facility. 

Now, 25 years since being first funded, the Coleman Senior Center is receiving capital funding from the Coleman County Foundation's endowment.

Through the power of endowment, the Coleman County Foundation's assets have grown, resulting in a greater impact with this $50,000 grant award. The funding supports renovations to the Center's new building location.

The Center was without a physical building for several months due to flooding. It left many residents without a hub of resources. Tina Rankin, Coleman Senior Center Director, shared that "The building’s loss affected more than 100 seniors in the area, especially those who rely on dine-in meals."

Then, the Coleman Senior Center board members created an opportunity by donating space.

The new building, located at 400 South Concho, was formerly an auto parts shop, and while it still requires renovations, Rankin said that with the community's help, she hopes to have it operational by September 2025. The space will also serve as the office for Coleman’s Meals on Wheels.

CCF's HISTORY

The Coleman County Foundation (CCF) was established in 1999, but its origins date back to 1924 when The Welfare League was formed to assist residents with various needs, ultimately evolving into the senior living facility known as Holiday Hill.

When Holiday Hill faced the possibility of being sold to a for-profit company, its board sought a way to protect the funds accumulated over the years and ensure they would continue to benefit the citizens of Coleman County.

Clyde D. “Tommy” Allen, CCF Founder who had also served on the Holiday Hill board for 55 years, and Nancy Jones, former president of the Community Foundation of Abilene (or "CFA"), assembled a group of community leaders who shared this commitment to Coleman County.

These dedicated volunteers collaborated with the CFA to establish the Coleman County Foundation as an affiliate, managing and investing the funds in an endowment and overseeing the grantmaking process.

To date, the Coleman County Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 million to nonprofit organizations in Coleman County.