Blog
Richland Gives celebrates its 10th anniversary
Since its inception, Richland Gives has raised almost $3M for hundreds of local nonprofit organizations. Thanks to the generosity of donors of the Foundation, $80,000 in incentives will be awarded as grants to participating organizations, beyond what they raise from online donations. Richland Gives is designed to encourage people to contribute to local nonprofits they care about through a single giving website. The Foundation hosts the day to build capacity, grow philanthropy and make the community stronger. Each organization will have an individualized web page to promote their cause. The success of the event will depend on our collective enthusiasm and implementation.
Foundation Supports Children’s Summer Activities
The Richland County Foundation is supporting summertime programs focused on children. The Summertime Kids Committee Chaired by Foundation Board of Trustee member Karen Bierly along with members from the community approved $62,606 in Summertime Kid grants. The grants of up to $2,500 support creative, educational, and fun-filled activities for hundreds of Richland County children.
Challenge Match Doubles Your Donation to the Mansfield Police Department Fund
To incentivize donors and to grow the MPD Fund, the Welges are offering a challenge match. You could double your donation. So, for every dollar donated they will match it up to $10,000. The challenge match will run from now through December 2 to include #RichlandGives.
Donors support youth music education
The Renaissance Performing Arts Association recently established two funds to support youth music education: the Adlyn and Daniel Lichtenstein Youth Orchestra Fund and the Percy Hall Youth Orchestra Fund.
A philanthropic family
Todd and Kristine Lindeman want to use their newly created donor-advised fund at the Richland County Foundation to help improve the community.(Photo: Katie, Leah, Kristine, and Todd Lindeman)
A retired educator makes plans for a scholarship fund
Carol has been contemplating her estate plan with a financial planner. She decided to set up a scholarship fund upon her death that honors both of their education careers.
FAFSA Update for Parents and Students
Delays announced by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will cause changes to the Richland County Foundation’s (RCF) college scholarship application process this year. Students must begin the application before or by the April 1 deadline. The Foundation will offer extensions to those students to await their accurate FAFSA information.
New community investment officer joins the team
Bobby Rhea has been named the community investment officer at the Richland County Foundation.
The Mansfield Rising Plan is evolving
A group of ten people is heading to the South by Southwest Conference (SXSW) in in Austin, TX in March to bolster the Mansfield Rising Plan. “We have an opportunity through an anonymous donor to send another cohort to SXSW. The goal is to strengthen and enhance the current Mansfield Rising team and plan,” said Richland County Foundation Senior Community Investment Officer Allie Watson. The donor told Watson the results they’ve seen from the Mansfield Rising Plan are the best thing that has happened to downtown Mansfield in a very long time.(Photo: Nan McCartney, Jessica Hiser, Sandy Messner, Orie Rush, Mario Davison and Braxton Daniels.)
Paying it forward one wish at a time
Steven and Christine Myers created the Visual Bucket List Foundation to provide experiences for children who have a visual impairment diagnosis. These opportunities are intended to be a special visual memory to be remembered for the rest of their liv
Richland County Foundation Has New Leadership
Brady Groves has announced his retirement as president of the Richland County Foundation after serving 13 years in that position. The RCF Board of Trustees has named Senior Community Investment Officer Allie Watson as the incoming president of the organization.(Photo: Richland County Foundation President Brady Groves, Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Chris Hiner, and Senior Community Investment Officer Allie Watson.)
Mansfield Richland County Public Library Winnie Greer Fund
An estate gift motivated the Mansfield Richland County Public Library to establish an agency-endowed fund at the Richland County Foundation. “We were very excited to receive an unexpected windfall from the estate of Gerald Davis to set up a fund to honor Winnie Greer,” said MRCPL Deputy Fiscal Officer Mary Dwyer.
You Have Time to Submit Summertime Kids Grant Application
The Richland County Foundation is accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations for its Summertime Kids (STK) grant program. The grants allow nonprofit agencies to provide safe, fun-filled activities for Richland County children during the summer months. Grant amounts range from $300 - $2,500.
Scholarship Application Available Earlier this Year
The Richland County Foundation will open its college scholarship application on December 18, which is two weeks earlier than in previous years.
Foundation Funds Housing Projects & Other Emerging Needs
(Photo: The Turtle Creek Apartment complex on James Avenue in Mansfield received a grant during the Board of Trustees meeting.) The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved $1,527,817 in grants to nonprofit organizations during its December meeting.
The Foundation Collaborates on a Community Conversation Initiative
The Richland County Foundation in partnership with the Mansfield Richland County Public Library, Renaissance Theatre, and Richland Source will present Kaleidoscope, a four-part speaker series to spark community conversations. Four nationally known authors will share their expertise during presentations in 2024 at the Renaissance Theatre around topics like urban revitalization, poverty and income inequality, conflict, and the news.
Generous Donors Make Richland Gives Success
Richland Gives, an online giving event hosted by the Richland County Foundation, raised $514,386 via 2,000 donors to benefit 106 Richland County nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2015, Richland Gives has raised almost $3M.
Richland Gives helps local nonprofits fundraise operating revenue
Richland Gives, an online giving event, will start at 7 a.m. on November 13 and culminate on November 28 at 7 p.m.
Women’s Fund Awards Grants
The Women’s Fund of the Richland County Foundation recently held its annual luncheon and awarded over $17,000 in grants and announced the JoAnn Dutton Award honoree.
Higher Standards
The Richland County Foundation has recently been accredited with Community Foundations National Standards, the highest standards in philanthropic excellence.
Connections Fund of Richland County Foundation Awards Grant
Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio received the 2023 Connections Fund grant for its program “Destination Career: Richland County.” The collaborative partnership between JANCO and LeaderRichland will provide in-class career exploration or financial literacy to 7th and 8th-grade students who stay at their home campus as their fellow classmates visit the Ohio State University at Mansfield and North Central State College campus.
Foundation Funds Emerging Needs
The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved $699,325 in grants to nonprofit organizations during its October meeting.
Connections Fund Hosts Grant Event
During the event, Connections Fund Advisory Committee Chairwoman Cassie Brumfield will discuss the fund’s redefined mission and the volunteer focus for 2024.
JoAnn Dutton Award Applications
The Women’s Fund of the Richland County Foundation is accepting nominations for the JoAnn Dutton Volunteer Community Service Award. The award celebrates and honors women leaders who devote a significant amount of time and energy in a meaningful way to local charitable organizations.
Richland Gives Registration is Open
Richland Gives registration for Richland County-based nonprofit organizations is open through October 31. It is free; however, nonprofit organizations must register each year.
Success Stories of Interns from Buckeye Imagination Museum
By Brenna Koch Over the years, we’ve had many interns come through the doors of Little Buckeye Children’s Museum, now Buckeye Imagination Museum. Each one was unique, but all of them have proven to be successful in their lives after interning here. Here are some examples of success we’ve seen at Buckeye Imagination Museum!
Ohio Bird Sanctuary Hires Former Interns
By Gail Laux The Ohio Bird Sanctuary has greatly benefited from the Fran and Warren Rupp Fund’s Internship Program. We have had so many success stories that we couldn’t pick just one to share!
Gift of Grain Fund Receives First Donation and Awards Grant
The Richland County Foundation Gift of Grain Fund received its first donation of grain. Brian Alt of Alt Farms in Shelby gave bushels of corn to the Foundation's account at Sunrise Cooperative Inc. in Crestline recently. The Foundation sold the grain the same day.
Sherrilyn R. Wilson Languages Scholarship Fund
A teacher gave Sherrilyn Wilson the nudge she needed to find her career path. “My high school Spanish teacher, Renee Zody, nominated me for a scholarship at The Ohio State University at Mansfield. That lead me to major in Spanish and to my career with the U.S. government as a Spanish linguist.” “Before that, I never contemplated a career and thought I would be a secretary just like my mother,” said Sherrilyn. She wants to return the favor and help other students. To that end, Sherrilyn set up a scholarship fund for Richland County students. Primary preference will be given to those who major or minor in a foreign language and secondary preference will be given to those who major or minor in foreign affairs, international relations, or political science.
