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Community Foundation Awards $544K in Grants

November 20, 2023

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation Board of Trustees approved grants totaling $544,997 at the November board meeting. This total includes 18 responsive grants, four president’s discretionary grants and 31 donor advised fund grants.

“As we head into giving season, these grants are a reminder that our work would not be possible without the generous local philanthropists in Hancock County,” said Brian Treece, President & CEO of the Foundation. “We are proud to partner with donors and these local nonprofit organizations to help improve the quality of life for all in Hancock County.”

Responsive Grants

Responsive grants are awarded to organizations to meet community needs and match the goals, objectives and priorities of The Community Foundation. Grantseekers must submit a written grant proposal for consideration. Applications are reviewed four times per year.

Funding for responsive grants comes from our Community’s Endowment, made up of Funds for the Common Good and Field of Interest Funds established by donors at The Community Foundation. The following responsive grants were approved by the Board of Trustees, made possible by our Community’s Endowment:

    • Blanchard Valley Center was awarded $10,683 for literacy and evaluation kits for parents and youth with developmental disabilities.
    • City Mission of Findlay was awarded $250,000 to move the women and children’s emergency shelter offsite to Martha’s House in order to make room for a low-barrier shelter and to serve additional clients due to increased need.
    • Cory-Rawson Local Schools was awarded $231 for fishing equipment for research activities in the high school environmental science class.
    • Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation was awarded $10,000 to pilot a professional services assistance program for local nonprofit organizations.
    • Findlay-Hancock County Public Library was awarded $10,141 for library improvement projects and Read for LIFE language books.
    • Fort Findlay Playhouse was awarded $1,000 for the radio production of It’s A Wonderful Life as part of the Fun for All series of free community events.
    • Hancock County ADAMHS Board was awarded two grants:
      • $35,000 for architectural drawings for a capital project.
      • $7,000 to leverage Cultural Humility and Health Equity Delegation’s Train the Trainer strategy.
    • Hancock Public Health was awarded two grants:
      • $2,500 for a Be Healthy Now brand refresh.
      • $907 to support local youth with diabetes.
      • Miracle League of Findlay was awarded $551 for recreational programming for individuals with disabilities.
      • Raise the Bar of Hancock County was awarded $6,000 for Leader In Me action team projects in local schools.
      • Riverdale Local Schools was awarded $1,000 for a K-5 STEM Lego project and other content strategies.
      • Van Buren Local Schools was awarded $1,299 for the Founder’s Wall service-learning project.
      • West Ohio Food Bank was awarded $3,129 for food boxes and hygiene items for local senior citizens.

      President’s Discretionary Grants

      President’s Discretionary grants fund urgent or special requests outside The Community Foundation’s various grant cycles. The President of The Community Foundation is allocated an amount each year. These grants typically do not individually exceed $5,000. The following discretionary grants were awarded:

      • Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County was awarded $5,000 to expand Financial Opportunity Center services.
      • City Mission of Findlay was awarded $5,000 to operate a warming center through the winter for 2023-2024.
      • HHWP Community Action Commission was awarded $5,000 for transportation to The Family Center through HATS.
      • West Ohio Food Bank was awarded $5,000 to pilot a food pantry at Cory-Rawson and expand the Glenwood Middle School and Bigelow Intermediate School pantries.

      Donor Advised Grants

      Donor Advised funds are established by individuals, families or corporations to recommend grants to nonprofits they’re passionate about. The nonprofits are vetted by the Foundation and grants are awarded. The following donor advised grants were awarded:

      • 31 grants to 28 organizations totaling $142,350.