The A.J. Fletcher Foundation, a private foundation in Raleigh that supports nonprofit organizations, announced Wednesday, September 8, 2011, that it has invested more than $1 million in grants and loans to east Durham.

The grants, which will provide services to children and families, will be spread across five groups: the East Durham Children’s Initiative (EDCI), Healthy Families Durham, Student U, Preservation North Carolina and Teach for America. 

“With this grant, the A.J. Fletcher Foundation will focus like never before on the multiple needs of a single community,” Fletcher Foundation Chairman & CBC President & CEO Jim Goodmon said. “Our hope is that this approach will bring strong results and provide a model for other groups looking to rebuild communities in North Carolina and beyond.”

The grants, which range from $110,000 to $425,000, will be paid out over the next three years. 

Barker French, the co-chair of EDCI, said the grants will allow all five groups to continue the work they have already started.  

Thanks to WRAL.com’s Derek Medlin for this capcom story.