Foundation Grants Over $8.8 M in 2022
By Maura Teynor
May 16, 2023
(Photo: Chairwoman Jessica Gribben hands over the gavel to incoming Chairman Chris Hiner during the Richland County Foundation annual meeting.)
During the Richland County Foundation annual meeting, President Brady Groves reported the Foundation granted $8,805,272 in 2022. Donors continued to be very generous and gifts for the year totaled $3,544,561.
Foundation donors were most passionate about supporting education with grants totaling 2,995,520. Other sectors receiving grants were children/families/youth $1,646,478, community development $1,185,896, health services $841,996, arts & culture $762,800, environment $664,344, human services $363,967, economic development $216,296 and churches $128,975. To review the 2022 annual report, go to richlandcountyfoundation.org.
Guest speaker Jana Mulherin talked about her philanthropic journey with her husband, Pat. Together they established a donor-advised fund and supported an agency fund for the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging at the Foundation.
“Our philanthropic philosophy is simple; it is about giving back. The endowment fund will be a way for people to donate to the Area Agency on Aging and it will make a difference in our community,” said Jana Mulherin.
Richland Public Health Commissioner Dr. Julie Chaya spoke about a new AED program. The Health Department received a grant to provide Pediatric AED equipment and education. Automated external defibrillators (AED machines) are being placed at Richland County schools and nonprofit organizations. Health Department staff are providing CPR training. According to Health Department data, sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the United States for youth and adults.
During the business portion of the meeting, Rand Smith and Jason Guilliams were approved as incoming Board of Trustee members.
Carl Fernyak, Dr. Norman Jones, Julie McCready, and Gog Meisse completed their terms and were recognized for their dedication and service to the community.
