MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Marion Community Foundation is pleased to announce the distribution of $135,000 in Field of Interest Grants in 2025, supporting 22 local organizations and a variety of programs and community needs in Marion
“These grants are made possible by the generosity of donors who established charitable funds to address specific community needs they care deeply about,” said President & CEO Julie Prettyman. “From caring for animals to enriching the arts, supporting seniors, and expanding access to education, the Field of Interest Grant Program connects donor intent with meaningful community impact.”
Prettyman explains that Field of Interest funds are created by donors who wish to support a specific cause or area of interest by funding nonprofits doing substantial work in the community.
Donor Kathy Conley explains the field of interest fund she and her children created as a memorial to her late husband. “Frank cared deeply about the humane treatment of animals,” she said. “Because of him, the kids could have and care for any little critter they wanted. They remember this and want this fund to both help animals and honor their dad. I’m proud to be able to help in a small way.”
The following is an overview of this year’s grants by the various fields of interest:
Animal Care: Supporting Animal Welfare and Rescue Organizations
- Frank & Kathy Conley Family Fund
Grant Recipient: Marion Area Humane Society
Purpose: Support animal welfare efforts - Patricia Anne Chapman Animal Welfare Fund
Grant Recipient: Homeless to Home Animal Rescue & Cat Sanctuary
Purpose: Support spay and neuter services for stray cats and provide general care for all animals
Arts, History & Culture: Investing in Cultural Enrichment and Performing Arts
- Kathleen E. O’Shea Fund
Grant Recipients and Purposes:- Palace Cultural Arts Association: Support live theater productions.
- Support the production of the high school musical for the 2025–2026 academic year at Elgin, Marion City, Pleasant, Ridgedale, and River Valley middle and high schools.
Marion’s Kids: Helping Local Youth Thrive
- Thurman & Rose Mathews Fund
Grant Recipient: Presidents Band Club
Purpose: Assist students in the Harding Presidents Marching Band to perform on a national stage at the ReliaQuest Bowl in Florida
Economic Security: Supporting Programs That Provide Financial Stability
- Child Care Choices Fund
Grant Recipient: Emanuel Lutheran Preschool & Daycare
Purpose: Improve early childhood programming and support staff development for qualified child care providers
Senior Citizens: Addressing Essential Needs of Marion’s Senior Community
- Vera O. McDanel Senior Citizens Transportation Fund
Grant Recipient: Marion Senior Citizens Association
Purpose: Support and fund programs that address transportation needs for senior citizens residing in Marion.
Education: Promoting Literacy and Educational Programs
- Imagination Library Fund
Grant Recipient: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, in partnership with Marion Public Library
Purpose: Help pay for monthly book distribution to children ages 0–5 in Marion County enrolled in the Imagination Library program. - Janis & Greg Swepston Family Fund
Grant Recipient: Marion Public Library
Purpose: Support programs focused on literature and elementary education.
Basic Needs: Focusing on Safe, Affordable Housing, Food Access, and Essential Human Needs
- Marion Board of Realtors Fund
Grant Recipients and Purposes:- Heart of Ohio Homeless Shelter: Support programming related to housing assistance, housing safety, housing education, affordable housing, and stable housing.
- Marion Matters: Support programming focused on affordable housing, stable housing, housing education, housing assistance, and housing safety.
Health & Wellness: Providing Assistance for Physical, Mental, and Developmental Health Needs
- Dave & Anne Brown Family Fund
Grant Recipient: Marion Family YMCA
Purpose: Support programming for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their families. - James & Margaret Coulson Charitable Fund
Grant Recipient: Marion Family YMCA
Purpose: Support programming for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. - Helen Cunningham Handicapped Fund
Grant Recipients and Purposes:- Center Street Community Health Center: Provide assistance for individual health service needs.
- Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities: Support programs that promote the welfare and recreation of people with disabilities and assist individuals and families in Marion County
- Jane Ann Caton Dean Fund
Grant Recipient: Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Purpose: Support family and sibling support groups. - Jerry Grubaugh Memorial Fund
Grant Recipient: Voluntariado Jesus con los Ninos, via Charities Aid Foundation America
Purpose: Support programs that address health needs of people living in the Dominican Republic - Marion Noon Lions Club Fund
Grant Recipient: Prevent Blindness Ohio
Purpose: Support sight conservation, including research, treatment, training, and assistance for sight-impaired individuals. - Marion Speech and Hearing Fund
Grant Recipient: Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Purpose: Provide habilitative and rehabilitative services for individuals with speech, language, and hearing impairments, including hearing aid sales and service. - Smith-Brown Family Fund
Grant Recipient: Marion Family YMCA
Purpose: Support programming for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. - Francis & Thelma Wise Fund
Grant Recipient: Marion Family YMCA
Purpose: Support arthritis programming for individuals living with arthritis.
Parks & Environment: Investing in Local Nature Spaces and Environmental Education
- Prospect Park Fund
Grant Recipient: Prospect Community Park
Purpose: Replace playground swings damaged beyond repair by a storm. - Virgil Jerome Nature Education Fund
Grant Recipient: Prairie Parks Foundation
Purpose: Introduce, connect, and engage people—especially youth—with nature and the outdoors through traditional and non-traditional educational experiences.
One of the more unique field of interest funds at Marion Community Foundation was created by Marion’s 100+ Women Who Care group in 2024. The group members created this collective giving initiative to support the hard-working nonprofits of the Marion area. Members regularly contribute to their fund at Marion Community Foundation and, quarterly, donate the pooled gifts to a local nonprofit of the group’s choosing – broadly defining the field of interest as “charitable, educational, and public programs, projects, and organizations in Marion County.” In the past year, 100+ Women Who Care have supported Emanuel Lutheran Church’s Feed the Need, Leapin’ Outreach Center, Marion Area Humane Society, and Buckeye Food Alliance.
“Together, these grants reflect the power of philanthropy to address diverse needs and create lasting change—one thoughtful gift at a time,” said Prettyman.
Marion Community Foundation was established in 1998 and has grown to well over $70 million in assets focused on providing grants, scholarships, and resources that improve the well-being of the Marion community. The Foundation’s offices are located inside the Stengel-True Museum at 504 S. State St. and are open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staff may be reached by calling 740-387-9704; information is available online at MarionCommunityFoundation.org.