Mayor Ben Kessler says the city of Bexley will leave no stone unturned in its quest to secure additional revenues to help meet operating expenses, and that includes seeking out grant funds from all available sources.

One of those sources may have surfaced in the form of a small grant program being administered through the Bexley Community Foundation (BCF).

“We’re sharpening our pencils and brainstorming various application ideas for the BCF grants,” Kessler said. “This is an exciting time for the community, to have such an incredible partner in the foundation. This opportunity is opening up possibilities that hadn’t existed before, and it’s energizing organizations throughout to think big.”

Kessler said the city is hoping to secure grant funding for one or more of the following efforts currently under way:

• The Alum Creek Park project.

• Seed money to help establish a Bexley land bank or Community Improvement Corp. (CIC).

• Funds to help implement some of the recommendations of the Jeffrey Mansion Master Plan.

“These are just a few of the ideas we’ve been talking about,” Kessler said. “I’m sure there are many more that we will be discussing as we think through this. We’ve also been talking to other Bexley organizations to see if there might be opportunities to partner in seeking BCF funding, and it looks like some cooperative options might exist.”

The Bexley Community Foundation has announced it is seeking proposals for its Small Grants Programs for 2012.

Applications for the initial round of grants, valued at $5.000 each, are due no later than Thursday, March 5. Applications for smaller sums will also be accepted.

Interested applicants are encourage to contact the foundation as soon as possible for additional information and guidance on the application process by visiting www.bexleycommunityfoundation.org/grants.

All applications should reflect the foundation’s mission to “enhance Bexley as a special place to live, work, learn and play.”

The foundation is seeking “exceptional proposals that will add significantly to the quality and vitality of life of Bexley residents; will have a substantial impact on the community; and will provide creative opportunities for the well-being of Bexley residents.”

The foundation is looking for innovative projects, including but not necessarily limited to the following topics:

• Physical environment, such as its parks, public spaces and neighborhoods.

• Arts, music and other cultural activities.

• Recreational programming for adults, families, and/or children and youth.

• Lifelong learning.

• Health or wellness.

• Community strategic, economic and/or land use planning.

• Communitywide activities.

Organizations that have determined other community needs or interests are also encouraged to submit proposals.

In September 2011, the foundation awarded its first five small community grants to: The Bexley Farmer’s Market for a health and wellness initiative; the Bexley Community Garden to improve and expand the garden; the city of Bexley and Bexley Area Chamber of Commerce for a 2012 summer concert series, “Music on Main”; and the Bexley Public Library for its homework help center and for early literacy programming.

There were many more projects submitted for consideration than the foundation was able to fund, but the group looks forward to partnering with the community organizations that did receive grant support to sustain and enhance the Bexley quality of life.

The BCF is a tax-exempt public charity founded in 2010 that is governed by a broadly based 15-member board of directors. The foundation links donors with Bexley causes, supporting community-based groups and programs with grants and other assistance.