The Stealey Community Fund is initiating the application process for 2010-11 with a public meeting set for March 8.

Applications for this year’s round of funding will be available at the meeting, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Council of Senior Tyler Countians, Inc. auditorium in Middlebourne.

This will mark the 13th year the fund has awarded grant monies in the Middlebourne area.

The Stealey Community Fund is administered by The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley Inc., with the advice of the Stealey Community Fund Advisory Board.

Susie Nelson, executive director of the CFOV, will attend the meeting to discuss changes in this year’s process and to offer tips on how to successfully complete the application.

In 2009, grant monies totaling $216,245 for 20 projects were allocated, bringing the total value of awards since the fund was established in 1998 to more than $1.97 million.

Created by Ruth Stealey Green, a retired school teacher who died at the age of 84 on Feb. 14, 1996 at her home in Middlebourne, the fund honors Green and her brother, Philip Stealey, who died in 1993.

The Stealey family had a long history in the development of the town of Middlebourne and its activities. Interest accrued from the endowment is awarded annually to qualified and approved applicants.It was Green’s desire that when grant awards are made, special consideration be given to programs and projects that will improve the quality of life of the residents of Middlebourne, such as improved library, recreational, municipal and youth services.