Ohio Philanthropy News - February 23, 2024

The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved grants totaling $3.2M during its February meeting.
 
Partly funded by a grant from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, the WAVE Foundation Center for Conservation Education is slated to open next to Prime IV on The Levee's street level in early fall.
 
As an initiative of the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, the Women's Giving Circle was founded in 2010 with less than 20 members. It has grown to more than 100 members and has directed more than $550K to local nonprofits since its inception.
 
The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland in Beachwood will host the eighth annual Shining Star CLE in September, presented by longstanding sponsor KeyBank.
 
Putting caring and support into action is the mission of Pickaway County 100+ Women Who Care, which operates under the auspices of Pickaway County Community Foundation. 
 
The Rocky Community Improvement Fund and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville are accepting applications for their spring 2024 grant cycle. 

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture is still eyeing the November cigarette tax renewal. 
 
The Bryan Area Foundation, Millcreek-West Unity Foundation and Montpelier Area Foundation all awarded $2,500 grants to the United Way of Williams County. 
 
The Raymond John Wean Foundation is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, reinforcing its focus on building community and advancing equity in the Mahoning Valley.

A crucial virtual meeting on mental health and criminal justice occurs on February 28. It is led by retired Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton and supported by Peg's Foundation. 
 
Van Wert County Foundation CEO Seth Baker was recognized as the Ray Miller Award recipient given to a local resident who shows a commitment to outstanding service to the Van Wert Community.
 
The University of Dayton's Health Equity Activation Think Tank is grant-funded through the CareSource Foundation, with additional support from the Dayton Foundation.
 
Not only does The Columbus Foundation have a database of more than 200 college scholarships, but it also has its own Universal Scholarship Application.
 
Signal Ohio was spawned from the American Journalism Project and The Cleveland Foundation; roughly $7.5M in seed money helped launch the enterprise.
 
The Let's Read 20, Marion! Campaign is underwritten by a grant from Marion Community Foundation.
 
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation's $3.25M gift aids the Glenville branch of Cleveland Public Library renovation.
 
The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation has awarded $1.3M in environmental grants to 114 organizations across eight states, including $190K to 20 organizations in Ohio.

Akron hosts a free laundry day for residents, made possible through grant funding from ServeOhio, the state's commission on service and volunteerism.

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley's Giving Tuesday and Beyond campaign helped raise more than $235,000 for local nonprofits.
 
The J.W. and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation has supplied the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry organization and the Muskingum County Hunger Network with $10K to operate the venison program.
 
Scholarships are available for Perry County students through the Fairfield County Foundation.
 
The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation has set up a program aimed at getting more lawyers into underserved communities.
 
Adams County Public Library has been selected as a 2024 grant recipient of the Edge of Appalachia – Adams County Fund of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio in partnership with The Nature Conservancy.
 
The Menorah Park and Montefiore foundations will take new forms following the sale of the Menorah Park campus, now King David Healthcare, shifting from fundraising to grantmaking organizations. 

A new collaboration between United Way of Hancock County and the Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County's Financial Opportunity Center is meant to enhance the economic benefits for clients utilizing the United Way's free tax preparation service.
 
More than just cars, Taylor Automotive drives up community giving. 
 
The Gillmor Charitable Foundation recently donated $3,500 to the Old Fort Church Backpack Program.
 
The Columbiana Community Foundation donated $12K to Heartland Christian School to assist in buying musical instruments for their students to use.

Other Member News

bi3 is offering organizations the opportunity to apply for funding of up to $5,000 to host events April 11-17, 2024.