A boy uses a magnifying glass to closely inspect a plant’s leaves in the Children’s Area at the Madison Street Festival. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Non-profit organizations in Madison can apply for a grant with the Madison Street Festival.

The festival’s steering committee “wants to give back to our community. The best way we found is through grants for non-profit, Madison-based organizations or those that serve Madison residents,” grants chairperson Keegan Mumaw said.

Applying groups must “provide educational opportunities, increase literacy or conduct community-improvement projects,” Mumaw said. She works with Keller Williams Realty Madison. The grant request must pertain to a planned or future project for the group.

In 2013, five groups received festival grants totaling $4,700:

* Friends of Madison Public Library — Pergola for story-time area in children’s garden.

* Madison Young Marines — Educational trip to the USS Alabama.

* Rainbow Elementary School — “Spring Into Good Health” program and multi-cultural fair.

* James Clemens High School Drama Department — “Go Outside and Play” production

In addition, the festival awards a $1,000 scholarship each to a student at Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools who will attend a technical or trade school.

“Non-profit organizations that could benefit please apply. So many great groups have benefited from funds awarded by the Madison Street Festival,” Mumaw said. “As the festival grows every year, we look forward to giving back and awarding more grants than the previous year.”

Deadline for grant applications is Oct. 31. The committee will award grants during the first week of December.

The fun at Madison Street Festival will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 4. The festival’s mission is to provide a day of family entertainment that unites the community while enjoying arts, culture, interactive exhibits and entertainment.

To apply for a grant, complete forms at madisonstreetfestival.org. “The application is all online and takes just a few minutes to complete,” Mumaw said.

For more information, call 256-617-1137 or email to grant.madisonstreetfestival@gmail.com.