Shepard Foundation Wins 25K Grant

The Matthew Shepard Foundation announced Monday that it will receive a $25,000 grant from the JP Morgan Chase Foundation thanks to votes cast by Facebook users in the bank's Chase Community Giving program. Also receiving the grants are the Trevor Project and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network

The Shepard Foundation, Trevor Project, and GLSEN were among 100 charities receiving the highest number of votes during first-round balloting earlier this month. A second round of voting starts January 15. The top vote getter will be given a $1 million grant. Five runners-up will receive $100,000.

"The overwhelming show of support for the Matthew Shepard Foundation is deeply gratifying and will provide us a huge boost as we seek to double our outreach to schools and community groups in 2010," said MSF executive director Jason Marsden. The grant will also help with the expansion of the foundation's youth-oriented website, MatthewsPlace.com, Marsden said.