Foundation Funds Richland Academy of the Arts Renovation Project

The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved $1,200,179 in grants to nonprofit organizations during its October meeting. 

The Board awarded the Richland Academy of the Arts (RAA) a grant for its Empower the Arts Capital Campaign. The RAA wants to raise $3.7M to renovate and modernize its buildings located at 75 North Walnut Street in Mansfield. The project will include a change to a centralized dance area, updates and expansions to the martial arts studio, multi-purpose music space, and visual/fine arts space, expansion of the performance areas, and renovation of an administrative wing. 

The Board of Trustees awarded nine scholarships to students attending a career technical education school. The Scholarship Committee implemented a rolling deadline for CTE scholarships to meet various enrollment deadlines. In aligning with Ohio’s Attainment Goal, the Foundation wants to help fill the gap between job openings and certified employees as well as lead the way to support workforce development through CTE scholarships. 

The Board of Trustees approved grants from donor-advised funds which allows individuals and families the opportunity to make grant suggestions to favorite charities. Donor Advised Funds are a flexible and convenient alternative to a private foundation. It is also a way to keep charitable contributions anonymous, at the preference of the donor. The Board of Trustees approved grants from donor-advised funds to meet emerging needs at the following organizations:

• 4 Leaf Rover
• Ashland County Park District
• Buckeye Imagination Museum
• Catholic Charities
• CHAP
• City of Mansfield
• Domestic Violence Shelter
• First Congregational Church
• Friends of the Richland County Park District
• Habitat for Humanity
• Idea Works
• Island Safe Harbor Sanctuary
• Kingwood Center Gardens
• Madison Local Schools
• Make a Wish Foundation
• Mansfield City Schools
• Mansfield Playhouse
• Mansfield Rotary Club Foundation
• Mary McLeod-Bethune Intervention and Enrichment Center
• Mid-Ohio Civic Opera
• Mid-Ohio Guardianship Services, Inc.
• Music Karate Empowerment Academy
• My Dog Shelter Friends
• NAMI Richland County
• North Central State College Foundation
• North End Community Improvement Collaborative Inc.
• Ohio Bird Sanctuary
• Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging
• Ohio Genealogical Society
• OhioHealth Foundation
• Renaissance Theatre
• Richland Academy of the Arts
• Richland Astronomical Society
• Richland Community Development Group
• Richland Pregnancy Services
• Richland Soil & Water Conservation District
• Rocky Mountain Conservancy
• Sacred Heart Catholic School
• Safe Harbor Ohio
• Shelby Diaper Pantry
• St. Paul Outreach
• St. Peter’s School
• Taking Root Farms
• The Mansfield Art Center
• The Visual Bucket List Foundation
• Third Street Family Health Services
• YMCA of North Central Ohio