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The Hardin County Community Foundation is awarding $367,217 in grants and scholarships through its annual program.
The Grant Committee reported there were 157 grant requests with 143 awarded.
The funds are generated through earnings on the foundation’s assets.
The organizations, projects and amounts awarded are as follows:
Ada Area Chamber Of Commerce: Speakers, materials, photographers and other expenses for their Lunch & Learn events – $1,000
Ada Exempted Village Schools: Decodable books – Three $500 grants for total of $1,500
Ada Food Pantry: Bulldog Backpack Blessings – $1,500
Ada High School: Freed Funds – Academic honoraries, academic competitions and support of music – $15,996.60
Ada Public Library: Summer Reading Program – $1,000
Ada/Liberty Joint Ambulance District: Training equipment – $1,000
Alger Community Fire Association: High voltage meters – $1,000 Alger First Methodist Church: Food boxes – $1,000
Alger First Methodist Church: Backpack Blessings at USV – $2,000
Alger Public Library: ADA handicap parking spot – $400 Alger Public Library: Summer Reading Program – $1,500
AMVETS Riders Chapter 1994 : Handicap ramps for veterans – $750
Beatitudes Community Center: Summer meals – $3,000
Belle Center Free Public Library – Summer Reading Program – $500
Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Ohio, Inc. dba Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hardin County: Community and school-based mentoring program – $2,000
BKP Ambulance District: Vacuum mattress – $760
Boy Scouts: Freed Funds – In support of individual scouts in their projects in scouting organization – $1,249.15
City of Kenton: Automated External Defibrillator (AED) – $2,000
City of Kenton: Resurfacing the basketball court at Murray Park – $3,000
City of Kenton: Trees – $2,000 City of Kenton: Improvement of recreational facilities at France Lake – $3,000
City of Kenton: National Night Out event – $750
City of Kenton: Longest Day of Play event – $750
Critter Crusaders Rescue: Medical assistance for animals – $769
Cub Scout Troop 124: Eagle Scout project of Law Enforcement Memorial – $2,500
Cub Scout Troop 124: Repairs to building – $2,500
Dunkirk Community Improvement Corp.: Batting cage, repairs to dugouts and bleachers – $1,000
Dunkirk Masonic Lodge: Winterfest event – $600
First Baptist Church: Bondi Funds – $2,548
Forest Area CIC: Repair and/or replace Christmas light pole decorations – $3,500
Forest Area CIC Charlie Brown Christmas: Expansion of the current Christmas displays – $750
Forest Fire Department: Remote headsets – $300
Forest- Jackson Public Library: Summer Reading Program – $1,500
Forest Police Department: National Night Out event – $500
Freedom Celebration: Hardin County fireworks display. Licensing – $800
Freedom Celebration: Hardin County fireworks display, fireworks – $2,500
Friends United For New Experiences: Events for adults with developmental disabilities – $500
Girl Scouts: Freed Funds – In support of individual scouts in their projects in scouting organization – $1,249.15
Greenwood Grange: Foundation work and activities for the youth – $1,000
Grove Cemetery Chapel: Roof restoration – $2,000
Harco Industries Inc.: Canvas, paint and brushes for art projects – $750
Harco Industries Inc.: Equipment – $2,000
Hardin County 4-H/FFA: Freed Funds – In support of 4-H and FFA Organizations – $7,696.60
Hardin County Ag Society: Universal folding chairs – $1,000
Hardin County Armory Restoration Foundation: Guest chairs – $1,800
Hardin County Bark Buddies 4-H Club: Agility equipment – $3,000
Hardin County Council On Aging Inc.: Painting of the interior of the senior center – $800
Hardin County Domestic Relations: Funding for disadvantaged youth teenage activities – $2,500
Hardin County Family YMCA: Rogers Funds – $1,852
Hardin County Family YMCA: Stambaugh Funds – $943
Hardin County Genealogy Society: New website – $1,000
Hardin County Historical Museums, Inc.: Signage for the buildings and flywheel located at the Hardin County Heritage Farm – $1,750
Hardin County Humane Society: Spay/neuter program – $769
Hardin County Junior Fair Board: Ohio State Fair Convention – $700
Hardin County Players: Youth theatre camp – $1,500
Hardin County Veterans Service: Annual dinner – $1,250
Hardin Leadership Inc.: Sponsorship toward the Women in Business Leadership Certification program – $1,000
Hardin Memorial Hospital: Lichty Funds – $1,133
Hardin Northern History Brigade: Gettysburg trip, Veterans Day program and Living History program – $750
Hardin Northern Public Library: Summer Reading Program – $1,500
Hardin Northern School Library: Promotion of reading among students – $750
Heartbeat of Hardin County: Online curriculum and crib/mattress program – $1,500
Helen Mabrey Shoe Fund Inc.: Shoes for school-aged children – $1,500
Helping Hands Outreach Ministries: Back to School project – $3,000
Jackson-Forest EMS Association: Personal trauma mass casualty bags – $1,500
Jackson-Forest EMS Association: Life-Saving Response Academy – $1,000
Keep Hardin County Beautiful: Library beautification project – $500
Keep Hardin County Beautiful: Community outreach and education efforts – $750
Keep Hardin County Beautiful: Seasonal flower plantings – $2,000
Keep Hardin County Beautiful: Topiaries – $700
Kenton Area Swim Team: Equipment – $1,000
Kenton Athletic Boosters: Equipment – $1,000
Kenton Band Boosters: Trailer logos – $747
Kenton Christian Preschool: Preschool basement play area – $1,200
Kenton Church of the Nazarene: Back to School Bash – $2,000
Kenton Church of the Nazarene: Sound system and end of year party – $1,000
Kenton City Schools: LEGO education kits – $1,630
Kenton City Schools: Elementary toothbrushes – $70
Kenton Full Gospel Church Bread of Life Food Pantry: Construction to connect to existing building – $2,000
Kenton Historic Courthouse District: Kenton Lions Club Christmas Parade entertainment – $1,500
Kenton Lions Club: Pioneer Park equipment – $500
Kenton Lions Club: Pioneer Park merry-go-round restoration – $1,000
Kenton-Hardin Health Department: Youngpeters Funds – $2,261
Lake of Lights LED lighting $1,500.00
LifeWise- Upper Scioto Valley: Age appropriate Bible study guides – $2,000
Mary Lou Johnson-Hardin County District Library: Summer Reading Program – $1,500
Mary Lou Johnson-Hardin County District Library: Adult programs – $1,800
Master Gardeners of Hardin County: Improvements and fencing – $1,500
McGuffey Church of Christ: Emergency food pantry – $1,000
McGuffey Church of Christ: Glow Party – $1,000
McGuffey Church of Christ: Meals – $750
McGuffey Church of Christ: Vacation Bible School – $1,500
McGuffey Memories Historical Society: Nature path with walkways – $550
McGuffey Memories Historical Society: Roof replacement of the park gazebo – $600
McGuffey Memories Historical Society: Insulated boxes and portable shelving – $425
Midwest Regional ESC: Equipment and materials for preschools – $2,000
Mt. Victory Community Improvement Corp.: Memorial Day Antique Car Show and Petroliana Swap Meet expenses – $715
Mt. Victory Community Improvement Corp.: Tennis and pickleball court resurfacing project – $3,000
Mt. Victory Community Improvement Corp.: Flowers and supplies for the street urns, street beautification and winter banners – $3,000
Neighborhood Center Corporation of Hardin County: Food boxes – $4,000
New Hope Child Care Center: Mulch for outdoor play equipment area – $500
New Hope Homeless Shelter: Rebuilding of entrance, porch repairs, deck and landscaping – $1,000
Northern Hardin County Fire District: Fire safety program – $1,000
Not By Choice – Protein drinks and laundry detergent – $1,500
Ohio Northern University: Freed Funds – Department of Theatre – $23,994.90
Ohio Northern University: Freed Funds – Department of Music – $23,994.90
Ohio Northern University: Freed Funds – College for Student Faculty Special Study Projects – $55,988.10
Our Lady, The Immaculate Conception: Repairs to a blocked drain in the St. Anthony Center – $1,000
Painter Creek Grange: Replacement of some siding º $1,000
Project Linus of Hardin County : Blankets for children experiencing trauma or loss – $500
Quilts for Kids NW Ohio Chapter: Fabric and batting for children with long term or terminal illnesses – $500
Revitalize Kenton: a community partnership: Invest in our Community Day – $1,000
Ridgemont Activities Boosters: Concession stand equipment – $1,000
Ridgemont FFA: Tensiometer – $3,100
Ridgemont Public Library: Summer Reading Program – $1,200
Ridgeway Firefighter Association: Air compressor – $1,000
Riverdale Athletic Boosters Club: Scoreboard replacement – $2,000
Riverdale Ministerial Association: School lunches – $1,500
Roundhead Fire Department: Veterans banners – $1,500
Roundhead United Methodist Church: Free fellowship meals – $500
Safe Haven of Hardin County: Annual purse bingo – $250
Safe Haven of Hardin County: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes – $250
Safe Haven of Hardin County: Yearly rental of storage unit – $350
Safe Haven of Hardin County: Annual Holiday Gala – $300
St. Vincent DePaul Society of Immaculate Conception: Hygiene and cleaning supplies distributed at SOUP – $750
Scouts of America: Uniform shirts – $500
Secret Santa Benefit for Lifewise Academy: Secret Santa Benefit – $2,000
Silver Creek Community Church: Lifeworks programming and incentives – $750
Some of Us People (SOUP): Commercial can opener and new roaster – $1,000
Soroptimist International of Kenton/Hardin County: Dignity bags – $500
Southeast Hardin Northwest Union Joint Fire District: Ice rescue suits – $1,000
St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church: Bless the Backpack program – $1,500
The Ohio State University, Hardin County OSU Extension: Digital microscope – $150
The Ohio State University, Hardin County OSU Extension: Cooking Matters program – $1,000
The Ohio State University, Hardin County OSU Extension: Classroom gardening and harvesting lessons in Hardin County Schools – $1,000
The Ohio State University, Hardin County OSU Extension: Water bottles for 4-H camp participants – $1,500
The Park District Liberty Twp.: Picnic tables – $2,400
Tree Town Festival: Youth activities – $2,200
Upper Scioto Valley Ambulance District: Community outreach materials – $1,000
Upper Scioto Valley Middle School: Backpack Blessings – $1,500
Upper Scioto Valley School Library: New library signage in the book shelves – $1,500
Village of Ada: Lamp post flowers and other village beautification – $15,996.60
Village of Ada: Trees – $7,000
Village of Ada Police Department: Hearing protection/radio equipment – $1,000
Village of Alger: Reset stone benches, stone wall cleaning and repair – $3,000
Village of Forest: Flowers – $500
Village of Forest: Flower pots – $750
Village Of Forest Market Square: Free youth activities – $1,200
Village Of Forest Market Square: Picnic tables – $1,500
Village of Mt. Victory: Repair, resurfacing project for tennis and pickleball courts – $1,000
Village of Mt. Victory Tree Committee: Trees – $1,879
Village of Patterson: Outreach events – $500
Village of Patterson Village: Clean up and landscaping – $400
Wolf Creek Center for the Arts of Hardin County, Inc.: Various art activities – $1,000
Scholarships
Ada Doctors Scholarship: Ada Schools, Hardin Northern Schools and Upper Scioto Valley Schools – $5,000
Dollars for Scholars Kenton City Schools – $2,000
Dudek Scholarship Upper Scioto Valley Schools – $2,500
Rushsylvania Rough Riders: Ridgemont Schools and Benjamin Logan Schools – $1,000
Spath Scholarships Upper Scioto Valley Schools – $10,000
Sterling Sisters Scholarships: Various schools – $4,000
The following statement is from Hardin County Community Foundation President Matthew Jennings and Executive Director Bryan Marshall:
“The community may notice a measurable increase in Hardin County Community Foundation grants awarded versus our announcement of available funds in February. After the announcement to award $227,000 in grants this spring, the Board of Trustees revisited our allocation methodology that we have used since inception of the foundation and decided to make a revision. The resulting change in available funds increased by $140,000 to $367,000.
In our early days and as we grew into a foundation of scale, we kept our calculation for grant funding very conservative to protect the assets of the foundation and to ensure that even in a down year, we would have funds to grant. After our analysis was completed, we decided as a Board to increase the spend limit and shorten the rolling average asset size used in our methodology to better reflect our more rapid growth in the last several years.
This revision, beginning with grants awarded in 2025, will allow for a greater return of investment income to our community while ensuring our financial stability moving forward. This may not be the case every year depending on historical portfolio performance but due to several strong years in a row the resulting increase for this year will be very beneficial to our charitable organizations in Hardin County.
Community feedback is important to our Board, and we are listening and making changes as we grow and adapt within the confines of what a foundation is allowed to do with its finances. Several of our funds are designated for very specific uses while others are unrestricted and can be awarded to local organizations at our grant committee’s discretion. The committee spends a considerable amount of time reviewing and vetting the grant process and to ensure that they are fair in disbursing funds throughout the community for many variations of projects and to be geographically balanced.”
Written by: bclark
News
todayMay 1, 2025
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todayMay 1, 2025 11
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