Ohio Philanthropy News - February 28, 2025

The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley announced recipients of its 2025 Community Impact Grants and Field of Interest Fund Grants awarding grants totaling $99K aimed to support programs and services in the Ohio Valley.

The J.W. & M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation gifted $1.5M to fund a renovated nursing wing at Ohio University Zanesville that will usher in the next generation of healthcare workers.

The Ohio State Bar Foundation announced the appointment of Laurie Beth Sweeney as its next executive director.

Erie County Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council will accept grant applications from Erie County nonprofits until March 26.

The Perry County Park District received a grant from the Ohio Arts Council that enabled it to offer several free programs focused on traditional skills and arts.

The FirstEnergy Foundation and PBS Western Reserve will present “The Forgotten History Forum Series” during the Akron bicentennial celebration for free to the public.

The GAR Foundation awarded over $837K in capital grants to 30 organizations in Greater Akron supporting projects that expand access to essential services and foster economic and cultural vitality.

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation Board of Trustees approved grants totaling over $770K at its February board meeting.

The Mercy Health Foundation awarded a $200K Community Health Fund grant to Intentional Development Group to provide business coaching, technical assistance, community support and working spaces for their Cornerstone Collective: Minority Business Accelerator.

Cardinal Health Foundation will give $1M to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to address mental health needs in the workforce.

Other Member News

The John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation invested $100K with Rural LISC to launch the Rural Employment & Financial Coaching Network for Rural Northwest Ohio, providing critical financial and employment coaching resources to rural communities across Northwest Ohio.