Sixty organizations from across central North Dakota received grants Tuesday from the Tom and Frances Leach Foundation. The total amount awarded was $600,000.

The foundation, which awarded its first grants in 1956, has given away nearly $8.5 million over the years.

Last year the foundation awarded $650,000. The amount varies each year depending on how well the endowment fares in the investment market. This is the 48th year since the foundation's first grants were awarded.

This year's grants were awarded at a luncheon at the Bismarck Elks.

The Tom and Frances Leach Foundation was created in 1955 to promote public welfare with private means. The groups that benefit are charitable, religious, scientific or educational.

The grants awarded Tuesday were:

Abused Adult Resource Center, $5,000; American Diabetes Association, $3,500; American Red Cross, Burleigh-Morton County Chapter, $5,000; Big Brothers-Big Sisters Program, $5,000; Bis-Man Transit Board, $3,000; Bismarck-Mandan Civic Chorus, $5,000; Bismarck-Mandan Orchestral Association, $15,000; Bismarck-Mandan Youth Bowling Inc., $2,500; Bismarck Art and Galleries Association, $3,000; Bismarck Gymnastics Academy, $1,500; Bismarck Meals on Wheels, $8,000; Bismarck Public Schools Foundation, $20,000; Bismarck Recreation Council, $7,500; Bismarck State College Foundation $65,250; Bismarck State College Foundation, $3,500; Boy Scouts of America Northern Lights Council No. 429, $6,000; Central Dakota Children's Choir, $1,000; Charles Hall Youth Services, $15,000.

Child's Hope Learning Center, $12,000; Dacotah Foundation, $1,000; Dakota State Limited, $5,000; Fairview Cemetery Association, $5,000; Fellowship of Christian Athletes, $2,500; the Fire Youth Rally, $2,000; Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation, $15,000; Gateway to Science Center, $5,000; Girl Scouts of America, Bismarck Sakakawea Girl Scouts Council, $6,000; Girl Scouts of Northwest North Dakota, Towner, $2,000; Harvey Public School District, $4,000; International Music Camp, $25,000; Jamestown College, $5,000; Mandan Golden Age Services, $3,000; Minot State University, $2,000; Minot State University, $2,000; Missouri River Community Band, $1,500; Missouri Slope Areawide United Way, $20,000; Missouri Valley Family YMCA, $50,000; Napoleon Public School, $5,000.

North Dakota Elks Charitable Trust, $5,000; North Dakota FFA Foundation, $5,000; North Dakota first lady Mike Hoeven, North Dakota Community Foundation, $7,500; Northern Plains Ballet, $5,000; Prairie Learning Center, $7,500; Pride Industries, $2,500; Ruth Meiers Hospitality House, $11,250; SADD Inc. Bismarck-Mandan Chapters, $4,000; Salvation Army of Bismarck, $12,500; Scottish Rite Speech Therapy Center, $5,000; Shiloh Christian School, $100,000; Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre, $15,000; Theo Art School of Bismarck, $3,000; Towner Senior Citizens VIP Club, $2,000; Trinity Christian School, Williston, $10,000; United Tribunes Technical College, $5,000; University of North Dakota School of Communication, $1,500; University of North Dakota Foundation, $2,500; Volunteer Caregiver Exchange, $2,500; Williston State College Foundation, $25,000; Haystack Butte 4-H Club, Wing, $500; Young Life of Bismarck-Mandan, $20,000.

(Reach reporter Mark Hanson at 250-8264 or mark.hanson@bismarcktribune.com.)