Foundation Funds social services & other community needs

(Photo: Richland Public Health Commissioner Dr. Julie Chaya explains the “Look Before You Lock” program during a news conference last summer.)

MANSFIELD – During its December meeting, the Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved $1,394,779 in grants to nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit organizations received grants for a variety of programs from a combination of unrestricted, donor advised, and field-of-interest funds including:

Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Raemelton received a grant to provide scholarships for equine-based therapies to individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. The therapy engages and strengthens a student’s muscles, improves motor skills, encourages core academic skills, and appropriate communication.

Richland County Land Bank
The Richland County Land Bank was awarded a grant for its new Thriving Home Exterior Rehab program. Over the next three years the program aims to stabilize at least 16 owner-occupied houses a year, for a total of 48 homes. The program will offer owner-occupants a grant of up to $21,250 for exterior home rehabilitation. Homeowners will be responsible for 15% of the total cost, with a maximum budget of $25,000. 

Richland Public Health
Richland Public Health received a grant for its “Look Before You Lock” program. It is a three-year pilot program to prevent child vehicular heat stroke deaths by providing free smart safety sensors to families throughout Richland County. The program will serve 75 families annually with no eligibility restrictions—parents simply need to schedule an appointment for a certified child passenger safety technician to install the device and smartphone app. The initiative addresses a need following a preventable child death in our community last summer. The device detects when a child is left in a car seat and sends immediate alerts to a caregiver’s smartphone.

Salvation Army
The Salvation Army was awarded a grant for its Emergency Social Services program. Households that teeter on the edge of poverty are forced to choose between transportation, housing, and food expenses. The program includes the soup kitchen, food pantry, direct financial assistance for utilities to prevent homelessness, and seasonal assistance. The funds will be used towards utility and food assistance. This program attempts to aid in self-sufficiency for vulnerable populations and reduce reliance on public assistance.

Career Technical Education Scholarships
The Board of Trustees awarded two scholarships to students attending a career technical education school. This year, the Foundation awarded $135,348 in CTE scholarships. 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 allow 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:

Buckeye Council Boy Scouts of America
4 Leaf Rover
City of Ontario
Catalyst Life Services
Catholic Charities
Chai Lifeline Inc.
Community Health Access Project
Crossroads Community Church
Discovery School
Friendly House
Grace Episcopal Church
Healthnetwork Foundation
Island Safe Harbor
Kingwood Center Gardens
Lucas Community Center
Make A Wish Foundation
Mansfield Art Center
Mansfield Community Playhouse
Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society
Mid-Ohio Youth Mentoring
Morgan Art of Papermaking Conservatory & Education Foundation
New Bridge Cleveland
New Jerusalem Progressive Church of God in Christ
New Store
North Central Ohio Land Conservancy
North End Community Improvement Collaborative
Ohio Bird Sanctuary
Ohio State University Foundation
Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Renaissance Preforming Arts
Richland Academy of the Arts
Richland Carrousel Park
Salvation Army
Shelby Diaper Pantry
Stirrup Courage
St. Peter’s Parish
St. Peter’s School
Taking Root Farms
Time for a Change Diaper Bank
United Way of Richland County
Wayfinders Ohio