Foundation gives out $159K in grants

SANDUSKY — At a recent meeting, the Erie County Community Foundation's board of directors awarded about $159,000 in charitable grants to numerous Erie County nonprofits, schools and municipalities. In total, the foundation distributed funds to 32 separate projects in this grant cycle. Representatives of the foundation "are proud to grant funds for these and other diverse projects intended to build community and address Erie County's most pressing needs," according to an organizational statement. The foundation focuses its efforts on several priority areas, including: • Tackling workforce gaps and creating employment opportunities • Removing barriers to transportation • Addressing hunger and homelessness • Providing high-quality food for all • Ensuring a healthy and vibrant Lake Erie, and improving public accessibility to it and its waterways • Broadening access to mental health and addiction services • Supporting seniors and their caregivers • Creating neighborhoods that thrive • Caring for Erie County's children: from improving access to childcare to providing creative and experiential education opportunities The foundation offers two community grant rounds each year with deadlines typically in February and August. People interested in applying for grant funds during the foundation's next cycle, in springtime, must complete an application by Feb. 1. People can visit eriefoundation.org/nonprofits or call 419-621-9690 for more information. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025, the foundation, a nonprofit, remains "dedicated to building a thriving and vibrant Erie County," according to the statement. The organization's primary purpose is to "provide a means for people to make permanent gifts of assets to enhance the quality of life in Erie County and Sandusky — today, tomorrow, and forever. Grant recipients Here are the organizations receiving grants through the Erie County Community Foundation's latest cycle: $10,000 recipients • Erie County Economic Development Corp. for amended housing symposium request • Merry Go Round Museum, Gas Heating Boiler Replacement • OhioGuidestone for the Erie County mobile crisis and stabilization efforts • The Salvation Army, Emergency Social Services and Homeless Prevention • Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio for Erie County food distribution $8,000 recipients • Hospice of the Western Reserve for the Navigator Program $7,000 recipient • Road to Hope for general operations $5,000 recipients • American Red Cross North Central Ohio for Red Cross blood services in Erie County, including expanded health insights • Bayshore Counseling Services for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing training • Campbell Christian Community Center for the Thrive: Mentorship, Meals and Meaning for Teens program • Care and Share of Erie County for the Community Champions program • Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities for Art in the Park • Erie Residential Living for transportation services • LifeAct for suicide prevention classroom programs for Erie County youth • OHgo for Project Happy • Ritter Public Library for the Read for 20 literacy initiative • Sandusky Christmas Market Foundation for an additional kiosk for vendor participation $4,800 recipient • Edison Birthplace Association for sustained growth through fundraising tools $4,000 recipient • Firelands Symphony Orchestra for artistic expense during the ongoing season • Lake Erie Council for Scouting America recruitment • Perkins Schools for the Perkins Youth Theater $3,500 recipient • Erie County Health Department for the Erie County Age Well program • Erie County Historical Society for the Jabez Wright/Huron Urban Renewal Ohio Historic Marker Replacement Project $3,000 recipient • Erie Soil and Water Conservation District for the Backyard Conservation project $2,500 recipients • Kidney Foundation of Ohio for the transportation assistance program • Law Enforcement Foundation for police training programs • Main Street Vermilion for the kids play place at Vermilion Ice A Fair $2,000 recipients • Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo for the Sandusky Furniture Ministry • Erie Shore Network for health and wellness • Kiwanis Club of Sandusky for the Imagination Library in Erie County • Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sandusky for the 43rd-annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner $1,200 recipient • Sandusky Central Catholic School for the K-5 elementary STEM Exploration Day