View Recent Grants
Foundation Funds Richland Academy of the Arts Renovation Project
The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved $1,200,179 in grants to nonprofit organizations during its October meeting.
The Board awarded the Richland Academy of the Arts (RAA) a grant for its Empower the Arts Capital Campaign. The RAA wants to raise $3.7M to renovate and modernize its buildings located at 75 North Walnut Street in Mansfield. The project will include a change to a centralized dance area, updates and expansions to the martial arts studio, multi-purpose music space, and visual/fine arts space, expansion of the performance areas, and renovation of an administrative wing.
The Board of Trustees awarded nine 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:
4 Leaf Rover
Ashland County Park District
Buckeye Imagination Museum
Catholic Charities
CHAP
City of Mansfield
Domestic Violence Shelter
First Congregational Church
Friends of the Richland County Park District
Habitat for Humanity
Idea Works
Island Safe Harbor Sanctuary
Kingwood Center Gardens
Madison Local Schools
Make a Wish Foundation
Mansfield City Schools
Mansfield Playhouse
Mansfield Rotary Club Foundation
Mary McLeod-Bethune Intervention and Enrichment Center
Mid-Ohio Civic Opera
Mid-Ohio Guardianship Services, Inc.
Music Karate Empowerment Academy
My Dog Shelter Friends
NAMI Richland County
North Central State College Foundation
North End Community Improvement Collaborative Inc.
Ohio Bird Sanctuary
Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging
Ohio Genealogical Society
OhioHealth Foundation
Renaissance Theatre
Richland Academy of the Arts
Richland Astronomical Society
Richland Community Development Group
Richland Pregnancy Services
Richland Soil & Water Conservation District
Rocky Mountain Conservancy
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Safe Harbor Ohio
Shelby Diaper Pantry
St. Paul Outreach
St. Peter’s School
Taking Root Farms
The Mansfield Art Center
The Visual Bucket List Foundation
Third Street Family Health Services
YMCA of North Central Ohio
October 16, 2024
Foundation Awards Education Grants
The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved $2,070,011 in grants during its August meeting. A large portion of the grants were for educational purposes.
The board approved $789,086 in scholarships to Richland County students. Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s financial need and grade point average. The average scholarship amount this year was $3,000.
RCF also awards career technical education scholarships throughout the year. The board approved $4,800 in CTE scholarships during this meeting and the year to date total is $33,350.
The board approved education grants totaling close to $66,000. Funding was provided from the unrestricted grant budget as well as field of interest funds. Education grants are selected by a committee made up of board members and people from the community 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.
$80,000 will provide grant prize incentives to nonprofit organizations during Richland Gives November 18 through December 3.
The Board of Trustees approved grants from donor-advised funds to meet emerging needs at the following organizations:
Achievement Centers for Children
Blue Rose Mission
Buckeye Council Boy Scouts of America
Catholic Charities
City of Mansfield
Discovery School
Domestic Violence Shelter
First United Methodist Church
Greater Cleveland Food Bank
Habitat for Humanity of Richland & Crawford Counties
Lucas Baseball Softball League
Lucas Local Schools
Make A Wish Foundation
Mansfield Art Center
Mansfield City Schools
Mid-Ohio Civic Opera
Mission 22
New Store
North End Community Improvement Collaborative
Ohio Bird Sanctuary
Ohio State University Foundation
Philanthropic Venture Foundation
Project One
Richland Academy of the Arts
Renaissance Performing Arts
Richland Community Development Group
Richland County Humane Society
Richland County Pregnancy Services
Richland County Veteran Mentoring Program
Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio
Shelby Foundation
Smile Train
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
Taking Root Farms
Volunteers of America
Wayfinders Ohio
August 14, 2024
The Foundation supports summer programs for children
The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved grants totaling $255,389 during its April meeting.
The Foundation is supporting summertime programs focused on children. The Board of Trustees approved 28 Summertime Kid grants. The grants of up to $2,500 were given to support creative, educational, and fun-filled activities for hundreds of Richland County children.
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 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:
4 Leaf Rover
Buckeye Imagination Museum
Catholic Charities
City of Mansfield
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Doctors Without Borders
Hope Hollow
Hospice of North Central Ohio
Island Safe Habor Sanctuary
Lexington Baseball/Softball Association
Lucas Community Center
Lucas Local Schools
Make a Wish Foundation
Mercy Ships
NCSC Foundation
Operation Smile
People Helping People
Plymouth Shiloh Food Pantry
Rials to Trails Wayne County
Richland Community Development Group
Richland Public Health
Rubies Women’s Group
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
St. Paul Outreach
St. Peter’s Parish
Taking Root Farms
Voice of Hope Pregnancy and Family Center
YMCA of North Central Ohio
April 17, 2024
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 &
