View Current Grants - Richland County Foundation

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Richland County Foundation Funds new program to meet workforce needs

The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved grants totaling $3,245,810 during its February meeting.

Competitive, field of interest and donor-advised fund grants approved by the board included the following grants.

Catholic Charities received a grant to provide community emergency and adult advocacy services. Nearly one in four households in Mansfield and over 13% in Richland County live at or below the poverty level in Richland County with 21% of Richland County renters are severely cost-burdened paying over 50% of their income for rent and utilities.

Mid-Ohio Guardianship received a grant to advocate for indigent people in our community who might be suffering from dementia, mental health, and/or developmental disabilities. They provide legal and financial assistance along with help on day-to-day matters.  

North Central State College Foundation received a grant to fund a new Integrated Digital Automation Systems program. It will address the training needs of the current and future workforce with training in work-based robotic equipment.  

OhioHealth Foundation was awarded a grant to purchase new cameras to assist with their Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program. The equipment will allow nurses to document evidence of sexual assault or domestic violence, as well as aid in the identification of possible labor/human trafficking victims.   

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio received a grant for its Helping Hands program. The grant will offset the cost to house Richland County families at the Ronald McDonald House while they care for their hospitalized children. 

The Board of Trustees approved grants from donor-advised funds which allows individuals, families, and corporations the opportunity to make grant suggestions to their 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 following organizations received grants from donor-advised funds:

Altrusa Club of Mansfield, Ohio, Foundation, Inc.
Buckeye Council Boy Scouts of America
Crawford County United Way
Galion Community Center – YMCA
Heartwood
Highlands Nature Sanctuary
Idea Works
Killbuck Water Shed Land Trust
Knox County Community Foundation
Lucas Local Schools
Make A Wish Foundation
Mansfield Art Center
Mansfield Rotary Club Foundation
Mid-Ohio Guardianship
Nature Conservancy
North End Community Improvement Collaborative
North Central Ohio Land Conservancy
Ohio Bird Sanctuary
Ohio Environmental Council
Ohio Heartland Community Action Center
Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Richland Community Development Group
Renaissance Performing Arts
Richland Academy of the Arts
Richland Veterans Mentor Program
Rubies Women’s Group
Salvation Army
Sierra Club Foundation
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
SoundWaters, Inc.
Taking Root Farms
The Ocean Conservancy
Visual Bucket List Foundation
Wayfinders Ohio
YMCA of North Central Ohio

The board allocated grants from donor-designated and agency funds. Agency funds are established by charitable organizations and can be endowed or non-endowed. The agency benefits from the Foundation’s professional asset management, which allows the agency’s staff and board to focus on providing services to their constituents.

Designated funds provide annual support to the charities selected by the donor. They offer the added benefit that if the organization ceases to exist the Foundation has the responsibility to ensure that the donor's original intent is met in seeking a new suitable organization.

The board approved grants from donor-designated and agency funds to the following organizations:
American Guernsey Foundation
American Red Cross
Ashland University
Buckeye Council Boy Scouts of America
Catalyst Life Services
Catholic Charities - Mansfield
Children’s Dyslexia Center
Children’s Theatre Foundation
Clear Fork Valley Foundation
Community Action for Capable Youth
Discovery School
Domestic Violence Shelter
Downtown Mansfield Inc.
First Christian Church, Mansfield
First Congregational Church of Mansfield Ohio
Friendly House Association
Friends of Richland County Park District
Habitat for Humanity Richland County
Hospice of North Central Ohio
Kingwood Center Gardens
Lexington Local Schools
Lucas Local Schools
Malabar Farm Foundation
Mansfield Richland Public Library
Mansfield 1st Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Mansfield Area Y
Mansfield Art Center
Mansfield Aviation Club
Mansfield Cancer Foundation
Mansfield Christian School
Mansfield City Schools
Mansfield Memorial Homes
Mansfield Playhouse
Mansfield Police Department
Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society
Mansfield Rotary Club Foundation, Inc.
Mansfield/Richland Public Library
Methodist Theological Seminary
North Central Ohio Alzheimer’s Association
North Central Ohio Land Conservancy
North Central State College
North Central State College Foundation
North End Community Improvement Collaborative
Ohio Bird Sanctuary
Ohio Genealogical Society
OhioHealth Foundation
OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital
Ohio State College of Medicine
Ohio State University – Mansfield
Ontario Local Schools
Ontario Police Department
Pioneer Career and Technology Center
Plymouth Area Historical Museum
Renaissance Performing Arts Association
Richland Academy of the Arts
Richland Carrousel Park
Richland Community Development Group
Richland County Children Services
Richland County Childrens Services – The New Store
Richland Community Development Group
Richland County Historical Society
Richland County Museum
Richland County Sheriff’s Office
Richland Newhope Center
Richland Newhope Industries
Richland Pregnancy Services
Salvation Army
Shelby Helpline Ministries
St. John’s Church
Third Street Family Health Services
Trapshooting Hall of Fame Inc.
United Way of Richland County
University Club Foundation
Volunteers of America
Wayfinders Ohio
Y Aware
YMCA of North Central Ohio

Other Grants:
Grace Episcopal Church
Knox Technical Center
Madison Adult Career Center
Mansfield Richland County Third Grade Spelling Bee
North Central State College
Pioneer Career and Technology Center
Tiffin Academy of Hair Design
YWCA

February 14, 2024

Foundation Funds Housing Projects  

The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved $1,527,817 in grants to nonprofit organizations during its December meeting.   

Projects at area nonprofit organizations that received grants from a combination of unrestricted, and field of interest funds include: 

Area Agency on Aging

A grant was awarded to the Area Agency on Aging for increased security at its new Ritter’s Run Senior Housing Complex on Ohio Street in Mansfield. A local security company will install video cameras around the exterior of the units, individual alarms in each unit, and emergency notification tower systems along the walking paths around the units. The measures will allow residents to feel safe in their homes and neighborhood. 

Mansfield Art Center

The Mansfield Art Center received a grant to make its facility ADA-compliant in a dual effort to create a more accessible environment for visitors, as well as capitalize on funding opportunities. The changes include the installation of automatic doors at the entrance, equipping the elevator with an electric eye and ADA-compliant controls, removal of physical barriers in the elevator hallways, adding an ADA-accessible drinking fountain, portable seating for individuals who have a difficult time standing for long periods of time, and updates to the main floor restroom. Making the changes will allow the MAC to apply for grants through national arts foundations. 

Mansfield Leased Housing Corporation Rapid Rehousing Program

Mansfield Leased Housing Corporation (MLHC), a subsidiary of Mansfield Metropolitan Housing Authority (MMHA) formed to handle and own property for MMHA, was awarded a grant to help build an apartment complex at the Turtle Creek Apartment Complex off Cook Road and Lexington Avenue. They will add 120 new two and three-bedroom apartments that will house 400-500 people. The apartments will provide affordable housing for low-income families. The direct impact of this project will be new housing for families and the indirect impact will be over $12M to the local economy in the first year and over $2.6M every year thereafter, in the form of tax revenues for the city and county, and the creation of jobs in our community with over 161 new jobs in the first year and 44 sustained jobs in subsequent years. 

This project is being supported by funding through the Mansfield Metropolitan Housing Authority, City HOME Funds, and bond gap financing. They are seeking the remaining amount of funding through the Ohio Housing Finance Agency for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. 

Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District

Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District received a grant for additional technical and educational assistance for the agricultural community. RCSWCD plans to utilize funds from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), Richland County, as well as a match from the State’s H2Ohio initiative, yet the reimbursement for this funding is typically protracted and they are seeking funds to start the program. They will have educational workshops, field days, one-on-one producer interactions, and partnerships with local schools and FFA chapters. 

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. As inflation outpaces earning potential, the expectation is for household seeking basic needs support to rise. 

The Emergency Social Services Program includes the soup kitchen, food pantry, direct financial assistance for utilities to prevent impeding 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 13 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:

Alzheimer’s Association, NWO Chapter

American Red Cross East Central Ohio

Ashland University

Blue Rose Mission

Buckeye Council Boy Scouts

Buckeye Imagination Museum

Catholic Charities

Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care dbs Helios Care

City of Mansfield

Community Foundation of Otsego County

Discovery School

Downtown Mansfield, Inc.

Family Planning of South Central New York

Family Service Association

Fenimore Art Museum

Friends of the Richland County Park District

Glimmerglass Festival

Grace Episcopal Church

Habitat for Humanity of Richland and Crawford County

Holy Comforter Episcopal Church

Humane Society of Richland County

Lucas Community Center

Lucas Local Schools

Mansfield Art Center

Mansfield City Schools

Mary McLeod-Bethune Intervention and Enrichment Center

Mid-Ohio Guardianship Services Inc.

NAMI Richland County

North Central Ohio Land Conservancy

North Central State College Foundation

North End Community Improvement Collaborative

Ohio Bird Sanctuary

Ohio Genealogical Society

Ontario Local Schools

Pathfinder Village Foundation, Inc.

Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio

Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center

Renaissance Performing Arts

Richland Academy of the Arts

Richland County Commissioners

Richland County Soil & Water Conservation District

Sacred Heart Catholic School

Saint Peter’s Parish

Salvation Army

Smile Train

St. Paul Outreach

St. Peter’s School

Taking Root Farms

The Center for Individual & Family Services Inc. dab Catalyst Life Services

The New Store

The Springbrook Foundation

United Way of Ashland County

United Way of North Central Ohio

United Way of Richland County

Visual Bucket List

Way to Battle

Wayfinders Ohio

Wayne Center for the Arts

Western Reserve Land Conservancy

YMCA of North Central Ohio

December 12, 2023

Foundation Funds Emerging Community Needs

The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved $699,325 in grants to nonprofit organizations during its October meeting.  

Projects at area nonprofit organizations that received grants from a combination of unrestricted, and field-of-interest funds include: 

Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center

Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center was awarded a grant to supply equine-based therapy scholarships to individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. The funding will allow students who do not have the financial resources to pay for services to benefit their development. 

Taking Root Farms

Taking Root Farms is a new nonprofit that was created to support adults with intellectual developmental disabilities to participate in vocational training, skill-building and recreational activities in a farm setting. The Foundation awarded a grant to support its Field of Opportunities Capital Campaign to build a new barn on the property of Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center. With two similar missions, the two organizations partnered to create a long-term, low-cost lease of six acres of land. Once the barn is built, regular programming will begin. 

Wayfinders Ohio, Inc.

Wayfinders was awarded a grant to support its Rapid Rehousing Program. The program helps people experiencing homelessness become stable and independent members of the community by assisting with safe and affordable housing, rent, security deposits, and utility connections.

Career Technical Education Scholarships
The Board of Trustees awarded 11 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:

Ashland University
Buckeye Imagination Museum
Catholic Charities Richland County
Clear Fork FFA
Forgotten Felines
Friendly House
Habitat for Humanity of Richland and Crawford County
Hope Hollow
Humane Society of Richland County
Lifewise Academy
Lucas Community Center
Make-a-Wish Foundation
Mansfield City Schools
Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center
Monroe Township
Ohio State University - Mansfield
Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Richland Community Development Group
Rich Pond Baptist Church
Richland Veteran Mentor Program
St. Anne’s Terrace
Taking Root Farms
The New Store
Wayfinders Ohio

October 10, 2023

Local Teachers Awarded Grants

The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved almost $1,787,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations to meet emerging needs during its August meeting.

The Board of Trustees approved Teacher Assistance Program grants totaling close to $68,000. Funding was provided from the unrestricted grant budget as well as field of interest funds. TAP grants are selected by a committee for creative and innovative supplemental programs not covered by school funding. The grants are given to K-12 teachers in public or private Richland County schools to encourage them to develop new programs for their classrooms. 

Abraxas School of Ohio                                   Expanding Knowledge

Abraxas School of Ohio                                   Classroom Supplies

Abraxas School of Ohio                                   Art for Everyone

Clear Fork Middle School                                Reformatory Field Trip

Crestview High School                                    Forensic Science Program

Crestview High School                                    Countdown to Totality

Crestview Middle School                                Future City Competition-Green Energy

Discovery School                                             Year B Units of Inquiry

Discovery School                                             Easy Does It

Discovery School                                             Hands On Learning

Lexington Eastern Elementary                        Social Studies Board Game Studio

Lexington Eastern Elementary                        Science Lab Full-Year Activity Revitalization

Lexington Western Elementary                       Coding Express

Lexington Western Elementary                       STEAMtastic Learning

Lexington Western Elementary                       Marvelous Mathematical Thinking

Lexington High School                                    Forensic Science Program

Lexington High School                                    Novels in Verse Book Club

Lexington Junior High School                         Circuit Craze

Madison Comprehensive HS                          Courtyard Gardens

Madison Middle School                                   Updated Nonfiction Books

Madison Middle School                                   Sensory Room

Madison South Elementary                             Moods and Movement

Madison Eastview Elementary                        One Book, One School

Madison Mifflin Elementary                             One Book, One School

Madison Mifflin Elementary                             Up Our Science Game

Madison Mifflin Elementary                             Bringing the World Into Our Hands

Madison Mifflin Elementary                             Playing with Science and Social Studies

Mansfield Christian School                              Monarch Butterfly in the Classroom

Mansfield Christian School                              Step into SOR

Mansfield Christian School                              Visualizing Math

Mansfield Senior HS                                        Glass Exploration at MAC

Mansfield Senior HS                                        Black Culture Club

MCS John Sherman Elem.                              Motivation Stations

MCS Malabar Intermediate                              Maker Space for Innovation

MCS Malabar Intermediate                              How Does Your Garden Grow

MCS Malabar Intermediate                              Science Exploration

MCS Malabar Intermediate                              Building STEAM

MCS Malabar Intermediate                              Library of Hands on Literacy Materials

MCS Malabar Intermediate                              Literature

MCS Springmill STEM Elem.                           Wilson Reading System

MCS Springmill STEM Elem.                           Improving Pollinators

MCS Springmill STEM Elem.                           STEM Makerspace

MCS Tyger Digital                                            Art and Story Fundamentals

MCS Tyger Digital                                            Edpuzzle, booklet and Kahoot accounts

MCS Woodland Elem.                                      Scholastic News and Science Spin

Ontario Stingel Elem.                                        Foundational Phonics and More

Ontario Stingel Elem.                                        Science of Reading/Foundations

Ontario Stingel Elem.                                        Fraction Fun

Ontario Stingel Elem.                                        Multiplication Facts Mastery

Ontario Stingel Elem.                                        Discover the Magic of Reading

Ontario Stingel Elem.                                        Poke-Math

Ontario Stingel Elem.                                        Books for All Seasons

Plymouth-Shiloh Elem.                                     STEAM/Writing for 1st grade

Richland School of Academic Arts                    Ecosystems & Body Systems

Richland School of Academic Arts                    Resourceful Reading

Richland School of Academic Arts                    Vision, Reflection, and Creation Center

Richland School of Academic Arts                    Rooted in Reading

Richland School of Academic Arts                    Guided Reading Intervention Program

Richland School of Academic Arts                    Tinker Me This

Richland School of Academic Arts                    Building Skills Through Block Play

Richland School of Academic Arts                    Starbooks Café

Richland School of Academic Arts                    Putting on the Ritz

Richland School of Academic Arts                    ESGI/Scholastic News

Shelby Middle School                                       Book Café

Shelby Dowds Elem.                                         Books Brought to Life

The Board of Trustees approved grants from donor-advised funds to meet emerging needs at the following organizations:

Akron Children’s Hospital

American Red Cross East Central Ohio

Buckeye Imagination Museum

Catholic Charities

City of Mansfield

Diocese of Toledo

Discovery School

First United Methodist Church

Flying Horse Farm

Friendly House

Greater Cleveland Food Bank

Homeward Bound Dog Shelter

Hope Hollow

Hospice of North Central Ohio

Idea Works

Island Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary

Lighthouse Family Retreat, Inc.

Loudonville Theatre and Arts Committee

Lucas Community Center

Madison Local Schools

Mansfield Art Center

Mansfield City Schools

Mansfield Jr. Baseball/Southwest Little League

Mansfield Playhouse

Mason Anthony

Monroe Township

North Central State College

People Helping People of North Central Ohio

Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center

Richland Community Development Group

Renaissance Performing Arts

Richland Pregnancy Services

Rubies Women’s Group

Shadowcliff Retreat Center, Grand Lake

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital

St. Paul Outreach

St. Peter’s Parish/Schools

The YMCA of North Central Ohio

United Way of Richland County

Unstoppables Youth Sports

Village of Bellville

Wishes Can Happen

Over $16,000 was awarded for career technical education 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.

August 22, 2023 

Foundation Funds Main Street and Emerging Needs

The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved $2,141,670 in grants to nonprofit organizations during its June meeting.   

Projects at area nonprofit organizations and government agencies that received grants from a combination of unrestricted, and field-of-interest funds include:

Mansfield Rising Projects

~ Main Street Improvement Plan: The City of Mansfield was awarded a grant to help fund the updated Main Street streetscape. Investing in Main Street is a high-priority action item in the Mansfield Rising Plan.    

The project will beautify Main Street, make it pedestrian friendly, add new sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, waterlines, and drainage system. New brick crosswalks are designed to meet ADA requirements to improve visibility and safety. 

A suspended catenary lighting system will be installed over Main Street between 4th and 5th streets and a decorative ring light will be suspended over the mid-block crossings on Park Avenue between Main and Diamond streets.    

~Wayfinding for Main Street: Downtown Mansfield Inc. was awarded a grant to fund the first phase of a community wayfinding project. Using the principles and guidance from the Mansfield Rising Plan, wayfinding along the Main Street corridor and throughout downtown will be incorporated. The wayfinding will integrate the new brand and highlight destinations and promote downtown districts. It will be visually appealing and interact seamlessly with both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. 

Community Projects

~Richland B&O Connector Trail Tunnel: The City of Mansfield Engineering Department was awarded a grant to build a pedestrian/bike tunnel under South Trimble Road to connect the bike trail to a walking path. A new 1.1-mile trail will start on the bike trail between Marion Avenue and Deer Park and traverse a nature preserve to South Trimble Road. The new tunnel will run under South Trimble Road near Akron Children’s Hospital and connect to a 1.35-mile walking path along Trimble Road into Woodland.  

~Sterkel Park: The City of Mansfield Parks & Recreation Department was awarded a grant for an inclusive and accessible park at Sterkel located off Hollywood Lane. The park will include wheelchair-accessible equipment, restrooms, a pavilion, and walking paths with the goal of creating an environment where children of all abilities can play together. 

~Research Program: The National Scleroderma Foundation was awarded a grant to support their work in funding research awards for up to 12 individuals each year who receive the peer-review committee’s highest ranking. 

The Board of Trustees approved $868,450 in college scholarships to 278 Richland County students. Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s financial need and grade point average. The average scholarship amount was $3,124.

In addition, the Board of Trustees awarded five 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:

Blessed to Run
Buckeye Council Boy Scouts of America
Crawford Partnership
Denison University
Discovery School
Friendly House
Homeward Bound Shelter
Hope Hollow
Lucas Local Schools
Mansfield Art Center
North End Community Improvement Collaborative
Ohio State University Extension Service
Project One
Richland Community Development Group
Village of Bellville

Foundation Funds Summertime Programs 

The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved grants totaling $903,644 during its April meeting.

The Richland County Foundation is supporting summertime programs focused on children.  The Board of Trustees approved 30 Summertime Kid grants. Grants of up to $2,500 were given to support creative, educational, and fun-filled activities for hundreds of Richland County children.  

The Board of Trustees approved a Mansfield Rising grant to the Renaissance Performing Arts for Pictures on the Plaza. The Renaissance, Mansfield-Richland County Public Library, Buckeye Imagination Museum, and Idea+Works will collaborate to show four outdoor movies this summer in the greenspace between the main theatre and Theater 166.  

Five career technical education scholarships were approved for students to earn a certification at a technical institution. 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 following organizations received grants from donor-advised funds:
33 Forever, Inc.
Akron Children’s Hospital
American Red Cross – East Central Ohio Chapter
Black Outside Inc.
Buckeye Council Boy Scouts of America
Buckeye Imagination Museum
Catalyst Life Services
Domestic Violence Shelter
The Downtown Arts Theater, Inc.
Downtown Mansfield, Inc.
Fearless Fighters Foundation
Friends of the Richland County Park District
Galion Community Theatre
HealthNetwork Foundation
Junior Achievement
Kingwood Center Gardens
Lexington Baseball and Softball Association
Lucas Community Center
Mansfield Art Center
Mid-Ohio Civic Opera
City of Mansfield
Mansfield Christian School
Mansfield City Schools
Mary McLeod-Bethune Intervention & Enrichment Center
North Central Ohio Industrial Museum
North End Community Improvement Collaborative
Ohio Bird Sanctuary
Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Richland Community Development Group
Renaissance Performing Arts
Richland Carrousel Park
Richland County Soil & Water Conservation District
Richland Pregnancy Services
Salvation Army
St. Peter’s School
Summer Stage Wooster
Richland County Children’s Auxiliary/The New Store
United Way of Richland County
Unstoppable Youth Sports
Wayne Center for the Arts
Wishes Can Happen
Wooster Youth Shakespeare
YMCA of North Central Ohio

April 10, 2023

Foundation Funds Community Center and Sports Complex  

The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved grants totaling $3,468,689 during its February meeting.

Competitive, field of interest and donor-advised fund grants approved by the board: 

The North End Community Improvement Collaborative Community Impact Center received a grant for its new multi-purpose facility to serve youth, adults, and seniors. The Impact Center will host NECIC’s housing and community development program, minority business assistance, supportive social services, youth and adult employment and workforce development, and a commercial kitchen. Space will be leased to provide direct services such as healthcare, legal and financial services.

YMCA of North Central Ohio received a grant for its indoor/outdoor sports complex in Bellville. The complex will feature soccer and an all-purpose area for other sports such as basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. The building will feature a fitness area, sports medicine, coffee shop, food service, and a sports gear retail shop.

Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio received a grant for its Helping Hands Program. Families with a seriously ill child hospitalized at National Children’s Hospital can stay at the Ronald McDonald House while their child receives treatment. This grant will help cover costs for Richland County families.

Buckeye Imagination Museum, Ohio Bird Sanctuary, Kingwood Center Gardens, and Richland Community Development Group received grants for marketing packages to facilitate Google Ad grants. RCF staff worked with Destination Mansfield to identify organizations that attract visitors to Richland County.

Four career technical education scholarships were approved for students to earn a certification at a technical institution. The Scholarship Committee implemented a rolling deadline for CTE scholarships to meet various enrollment opportunities. 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.

Graduating high school seniors and current college students from Richland County are eligible to apply for college and career technical education scholarships.

New applicants including high school seniors must have at least a 2.5-grade point average (GPA), and returning applicants must have at least a 2.0 GPA, attend an accredited school, and be a resident or high school graduate of Richland County. The deadline for college scholarship applications is April 1.

The Board of Trustees approved grants from donor-advised funds which allows individuals, families, and corporations the opportunity to make grant suggestions to their 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 following organizations received grants from donor-advised funds:

Alzheimer’s Association, NW Ohio Chapter
American Red Cross
American Red Cross East Central Ohio
Area Agency on Aging
Buckeye Imagination Museum
Community Foundation of Otsego County, Inc.
Crawford County United Way
Domestic Violence Shelter
Family Planning of South-Central New York
Family Service Association
Fenimore Art Museum
Friends of the Richland County Park District
Galion Community Center - YMCA
Glimmerglass Festival
Habitat for Humanity – Richland County
Heartwood
Helios Care
Highlands Nature Center
Killbuck Water Shed Land Trust
Lucas Local Schools
Mansfield City Schools
Mansfield-Richland County Spelling Bee
Mid-Ohio Youth Mentoring
Nature Conservancy
North Central Ohio Land Conservancy
North Central State College and Foundation
North End Community Improvement Collaborative
Nuhop Center for Experiential Learning
Ohio Bird Sanctuary
Ohio Environmental Council
OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital
Ohio Heartland Community Action Center
Pathfinder Village Foundation, Inc.
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Rails to Trails of Wayne County
Renaissance Theatre
Richland County Agricultural Society
Richland Pregnancy Services
Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio
Rubies Women’s Group
Shelby Helpline Ministries
Sierra Club Foundation
Sierra Club Ohio
Soundwaters, Inc.
Springbrook Foundation
St. Peter’s Parish
The Ocean Conservancy
United Way of Ashland County
United Way of North Central Ohio
United Way of Richland County
Wayne Center for the Arts
Wooster Community Hospital Foundation
YMCA of North Central Ohio 

The board allocated grants from donor-designated and agency funds. Agency funds are established by charitable organizations and can be endowed or non-endowed. The agency benefits from the Foundation’s professional asset management, which allows the agency’s staff and board to focus on providing services to their constituents.

Designated funds provide annual support to the charities selected by the donor. They offer the added benefit that if the organization ceases to exist the Foundation has the responsibility to ensure that the donor's original intent is met in seeking a new suitable organization.

The board approved grants from donor-designated and agency funds to the following organizations:
AA/Mansfield Intergroup
American Guernsey Foundation
American Red Cross
Ashland University
Buckeye Council Boy Scouts of America
Catholic Charities
Catalyst Life Services
Center for Individual and Family Services
Children’s Dyslexia Center
Children’s Theatre Foundation
Clear Fork Valley Foundation
Community Action for Capable Youth
Discovery School
Domestic Violence Shelter
Downtown Mansfield Inc.
First Christian Church, Mansfield
First Congregational Church
Friendly House Association
Friends of Richland County Park District
Habitat for Humanity Richland County
Hospice of North Central Ohio
Kingwood Center Gardens
Lucas Local Schools
Malabar Farm Foundation
Mansfield Richland Public Library
Mansfield 1st Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Mansfield Area Y
Mansfield Art Center
Mansfield Aviation Club
Mansfield Cancer Foundation
Mansfield Cancer Foundation – Pat Kracker
Mansfield Christian School
Mansfield City Schools
Mansfield Memorial Homes
Mansfield Playhouse
Mansfield Police Department
Mansfield Rotary Club Foundation, Inc.
Mansfield/Richland Public Library
Methodist Theological Seminary
North Central Ohio Alzheimer’s Association
North Central Ohio Land Conservancy
North Central State College
North Central State College Foundation
North End Community Improvement Collaborative
Ohio Bird Sanctuary
Ohio Genealogical Society
OhioHealth Foundation
OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital
Ohio State College of Medicine
Ohio State University – Mansfield
Ontario Local Schools
Ontario Police Department
OSU/NCSC Photo Arts Programs
Pioneer Career and Technology Center
Plymouth Area Historical Museum
Renaissance Performing Arts Association
Renaissance Theatre
Richard David Gardner Fund
Richland Academy of the Arts
Richland Carrousel Park
Richland Community Development Group
Richland County Children's Services
Richland County Historical Society
Richland County Museum
Richland County Sheriff’s Office
Richland Newhope Center
Richland Newhope Industries
Richland Pregnancy Services
Salvation Army
Shelby Helpline Ministries
St. John’s Church
The New Store
Third Street Family Health Services
Trapshooting Hall of Fame Inc.
United Way of Richland County
University Club
Volunteers of America

Feb. 14, 2023

Foundation Funds Richland County Fair Show Arena

The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved $1,002,661 in grants during its December meeting.

The Richland County Senior Fair Board received a $100,000 grant to build a larger and more accessible livestock show arena. More than 700 students are involved in 4-H and FFA in Richland County. The new arena will expand education, entertainment, and other activities to enrich youth and the entire community.

The Board of Trustees approved additional grants from the Community Fund and Field of Interest Funds:

Habitat for Humanity of Richland & Crawford Counties for a new house to be built.

Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio for an “Inspire to Hire” event for high school juniors and seniors.

Mid-Ohio Guardianship Services, Inc. for guardianship services in Richland County.

Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio for access to birth control.

Salvation Army for emergency social services.

Seven career technical education scholarships were approved during the meeting. 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 also approved donor-advised fund grants to meet the emerging needs of the following organizations:

American Red Cross East Central Ohio Chapter
Bruce Museum
Buckeye Imagination Museum
City of Mansfield
Discovery School
Domestic Violence Shelter
Downtown Mansfield Inc.
Friendly House
Grace Episcopal Church
Habitat for Humanity
Humane Society of Richland County
Idea Works
Junior Achievement
Kingwood Center Gardens
Knox Technical Career Center
Lifeline of Ohio
Lucas Community Center
Madison Adult Career Center
Mansfield Art Center
Mansfield City Schools
Mansfield Memorial Museum
Mary McLeod-Bethune Intervention and Enrichment Center
Mid-Ohio Guardianship Services, Inc.
Mid-Ohio Civic Opera
North Central State College
North Central Ohio Land Conservancy
North End Community Improvement Collaborative
Ohio Bird Sanctuary
Ohio State University Foundation
Pioneer Career Technical Center
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Renaissance Performing Arts Association
Resurrection Parish
Richland Astronomical Society
Richland Carrousel Park
Richland Community Development Group
Richland Agricultural Society
Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District
Salvation Army
St. Anne’s Episcopal Church
St. Peter’s Catholic School
The Friends of the Richland County Park District
The New Store
Third Street Family Health Services
United Way of Richland County
Volunteer Florida Foundation
Wayfinders Ohio
YMCA of North Central Ohio

December 13, 2022

Foundation Awards Grants to Meet Emerging Needs

The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved $657,618.90 in grants to area nonprofit organizations during its October meeting.

The Board approved a grant to Catholic Charities for two of its programs; Empower, Encourage and Engage (3E Program), and Adult Advocacy Services. The 3E program assists individuals to overcome barriers to employment. Adult Advocacy Services provides guardianship services to older adults who have been deemed incompetent, have a diagnosed incapacity, and do not have family members to advocate on their behalf to protect them against abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

A grant was approved for the second phase of the Homeless Response Initiative to address the increased unhoused population in downtown Mansfield with a group effort between law enforcement officials and mental health professionals.

The Ohio Bird Sanctuary received a grant for its capital campaign to improve accessibility to the Visitor Center and create a new Avian Ambassador Encounter Area.   

A façade improvement grant was awarded to Downtown Mansfield, Inc. This is the third of a four-year grant to improve the exteriors of downtown businesses. The program has funded 17 projects.

Nine career technical education scholarships were approved. 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 additional grants from donor-advised funds to meet the emerging needs of the following organizations:

Buckeye Imagination Museum
Discovery School
Forgotten Felines
Habitat for Humanity
Idea Works
Lucas Local Schools
Mansfield Memorial Homes
Mansfield Rotary Club Foundation
Ohio Bird Sanctuary
Plymouth-Shiloh Local Schools
Richland Community Development Group
Richland School of Academic Arts
Rubies Women’s Group
St. Peter’s Catholic School 

October 2022

Richland County Foundation Awards Teacher Grants

The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved $718,870 in grants to nonprofit organizations to meet emerging needs during its August meeting.

The Board of Trustees approved 47 Teacher Assistance Program grants totaling $52,939. Funding was provided from the unrestricted grant budget as well as field of interest funds. TAP grants are selected by a committee for creative and innovative supplemental programs not covered by school funding. The grants are given to K-12 teachers in public or private Richland County schools to encourage them to develop new programs for their classrooms.

Here is a list of TAP grant recipients and projects:

Abraxas                                               Kimberly Hall               Intervention

Abraxas                                               Julie Pfeifer                 Life Skills

Abraxas                                               Virginia Young             Art Heals

Clear Fork Butler                                 Rebecca Clapp            Math Literacy

Clear Fork Bellville                              Jessica Wend               Multiplication Madness

CF Bellville and Butler                         Molly Weyhmeller      High Interest Reading

Clear Fork High School                        Nicholas Allerding       Zoology

Clear Fork Middle School                    Rich Hoover                 Ohio State Reformatory Field Trip

Crestview High School                        Dwight Souder            Spirulina Algae – Fueling Our Future

Lexington Central                                Kathy Weidig              Career Books and Activities

Lexington Eastern                               Christine Elder            Social Studies Makerspace

Madison Eastview                               Melissa Wigton           One School One Book

Madison Mifflin                                  Stephanie Bistline       One School One Book

Madison South                                    Katelyn Smith              Handwriting PT

Madison South                                    Ashley Galbraith         Phonics

Mansfield Christian School                 Sonnet Hogue             Glass Works

Mansfield Christian School                 Ashley DeFrancisco     Worm Farm

MCS John Sherman                             Gena Boyd                   Literacy Intervention

MCS Malabar                                      Emily Nicol                  Mote Chrome Extension

MCS Malabar                                      Heidi Payne                 Literacy Books

MCS Senior High                                 Thomas Blike              Culinary Arts Career Tech

MCS Senior High                                 Dirk Eachus                 Music Appreciation

MCS Senior High                                 Elizabeth Donahue      Young Adult Literature

MCS Middle School                             Carmen Egner             8th Grade Math Supplemental

MCS Springmill STEM                         Mackenzie Carter       Economics Study

MCS Springmill STEM                         Raymel Early               Makey Makey Fun

MCS Springmill STEM                         Andrea Gibson            Project Based Literature

MCS Springmill STEM                         Amy Mathes                Wilson Reading System

MCS Springmill STEM                         Melissa Vogt               Hands On Intervention

MCS Tyger Digital                               Wendy Doup               Paper and Pencil Practice

MCS Tyger Digital                               Kathy Kranch               Reading Intervention

MCS Tyger Digital                               Jennie Norman            Science Lab Equipment

MCS Tyger Digital                               Elizabeth Sh