GIVE 365, Youth Foundation both announce grants
This year’s grant making focus for the Wayne County Community Foundation’s GIVE 365 program was “Supporting Wayne County’s Most Vulnerable Citizens.” In May, the Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF) Board of Trustees approved GIVE 365 members’ grant recommendations totaling $20,500 to four nonprofit organizations:
—$6,000 to OHuddle for OHuddle Resource Development and Safety Planning Software to upgrade safety software which houses youth and mentor information.
—$9,500 to Trinity United Church of Christ for the Breakfast Program Kitchen Initiative, for upgrades including the purchase of an electric convection oven for the kitchen.
—$3,500 to VANTAGE Aging for “Serving More Than a Meal” to provide support to Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio.
—$1,500 to Wayne County Volunteer Guardianship Association for Guardian Training and CLE for needed volunteer guardians for Wayne County’s most vulnerable.
The grant process is the heart of the GIVE 365 program. Since it was established in 2016, over $141,500 has been awarded in grants. Members submit ideas for an annual grant making theme; the ideas are posted online and decided by a majority vote of the membership. The grant application process is open to any nonprofit in Wayne County with a program or project that addresses the annual focus, with a grant application deadline of March 1.
A new cycle of GIVE 365 membership begins on July 1. Membership is open to anyone who wants to make Wayne County a better place by combining their charitable contributions with others to support nonprofit organizations. Members pay only a $1 a day – or $365 a year. Their gifts, pooled with those of other donors, can make a greater impact in Wayne County. To learn how you can become a member, call the Foundation at 330-262-3877 or visit www.waynecountycommunityfoundation.org.
Wayne County Community Youth Foundation
The Wayne County Community Youth Foundation (YF) provides educational and practical experiences on how community foundations operate, with the goal of getting high school students engaged in local “structured” philanthropy. Each year, student participants in the program also award grants from the Wayne County Community Youth Foundation Fund to local nonprofit organizations that support youth programs.
Student advisors evaluated eleven grant proposals for the 2024 grant cycle. Based on their recommendations to the Wayne County Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees, four organizations received grants totaling $5,500:
—IncludeAbility received a $600 grant to purchase two additional portable ramps to add to their lending library. Individuals with disabilities will be able to sign out the portable ramps for short periods of time to use as needed and return to IncludeAbility.
—Rittman Middle School received a $1,300 grant to implement flexible seating, sensory tools, movement activities, and other resources for special needs to ensure that every student can actively engage in the learning process.
—The Viola Startzman Clinic received a $2,000 grant to improve their dental clinic’s equipment by upgrading to digital imagery, patient-side computers, and digital patient charting software to better serve lower income patients and especially children and youth.
—Wayne Center for the Arts received a $1,600 grant to purchase equipment to host classes in beginner music appreciation and piano to help increase access to music in the community.
Earlier this year, this YF class also collected $400 through their Giving Jar Initiative and matching donations. They then donated the funds to the Wooster Youth Baseball Fund, a component fund of the Wayne County Community Foundation.
The Youth Foundation meets once a month at an area nonprofit organization during the school year to get a better understanding of why the organization exists and how it serves the community. Participants also gain valuable leadership experience, learn more about local charitable giving and how investments grow charitable funds; evaluate and recommend grant awards, and meet local philanthropic leaders.
For the 2023-2024 school year, 35 students representing nine local high schools participated in the Youth Foundation. A program graduation was held on May 5 at The Connection Conference & Event Center.
Competitive grant applications to the Wayne County Community Youth Foundation from nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable organizations serving the youth of Wayne County should be submitted by Feb. 1 each year. The grant guidelines and online application are available on the WCCF website, www.waynecountycommunityfoundation.org.