MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—The Marion Community Foundation has approved $557,000 in Community Grants to 38 local organizations, with a significant focus on programs for teens in Marion County, announced Jody Demo-Hodgins, chair of the Board of Directors. These grants, awarded through a competitive application process, support a wide range of programs addressing mental health, food insecurity, and public concerts.

Approximately 40 percent of the 2024 Community Grants are directed towards programs benefiting Marion’s youth, particularly teens. “We are thrilled to be awarding our most significant grant to the Marion Family YMCA to support the establishment of their new satellite location, specifically and solely for teens at the former downtown recreation center,” said Julie Prettyman, President & CEO. “There is momentum for teen-driven programs in the community, and we are excited to provide nearly a quarter of a million dollars to bolster this work.”

The 2024 Community Grants recipients include:

Community:

  • Friends of Caledonia – Caledonia Festival
  • LaRue Community Alliance – LaRue Community Center Park Development and Renovations
  • Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau – Storytelling 201
  • Marion Concert Band – Summer Concerts in the Park
  • Marion Women’s Club – Stopping the Flood: Protecting the Foundation of the Historic Women’s Club Home for the Future
  • Palace Cultural Arts Association – Spotlight on the Palace!
  • The Peace and Freedom Committee – One year of celebrating freedom, resilience & equity.

Developmental Disabilities:

  • Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities – Early Intervention Family Support Grant
  • MARCA Industries, Inc. – Empowering Abilities: Expanding Work Opportunities with Advanced Production Equipment
  • Recreation Unlimited Foundation – Camper Scholarship Funding for Youth and Adults with Disabilities and Health Concerns specifically from Marion County
  • Wings of an Angel – Specialized Equipment for Special Children

Economic Security:

  • American Red Cross East Central Ohio – Marion County Red Cross Resilient Communities Project
  • Buckeye Ridge Habitat for Humanity, Inc. – Workforce Under Construction
  • Cancer Coalition of North Central Ohio – Smiles for Hope
  • Cents for Shoes – Cents for Shoes
  • LifeCare Alliance – Marion County Meals-on-Wheels
  • Luke 3:11 Ministries – Lumpy Loads of Laundry Program and Supplemental Support
  • Marion County Council on Aging – Fresh Produce Deliveries & Community Meals
  • Marion Matters, Inc. – Community Program Expansion
  • Marion Shelter Program, Inc. – Heart of Ohio Homeless Shelter
  • Marion Victim Assistance Program – Marion Victim Assistance Program
  • Mobile Meals of Marion County, Inc. – Marion Community Foundation Meal Assistance Program
  • Y-Men’s Service Club – Wheelchair Ramp Construction

Marion’s Kids:

  • Boys & Girls Club of Marion County – Character & Leadership Program
  • Explore-It-Torium operated by MARCA Industries, Inc. – Sensory Updates Throughout Children’s Museum
  • Hope for Health – Girls Matter
  • Let’s Read 20 – Author visit with Let’s Read 20 Marion! day
  • Marion City Police MPACT – Marion Police and Community Together
  • Marion County Sheriff’s Office – Project S.E.R.V.E.
  • Marion Family YMCA – Marion Mentors 2024-2025 School Year
  • Marion Family YMCA – YMCA Rec and Resource Center
  • Marion Technical College – Teacher Manufacturing Boot Camp
  • Mid-Ohio Fine Art Society – MOFAS Youth Outreach Program
  • Tri-Rivers Career Center – ‘Expect To Be Amazing’; Summer Camp 2025
  • Warren G. Harding Presidential Sites – Laddie Boy Mystery Club

Mental Health & Addiction:

  • Marion Municipal Court – Cross-Fit Program
  • Marion First Church of the Nazarene – Celebrate Recovery Program
  • NAMI Marion and Crawford Counties – NAMI MCC Youth and Young Adult Initiative
  • Third Street Family Health Services – Dave’s House ramp & fascia repair
  • Third Street Family Health Services – MACC Building Roof

The grants are recommended by a volunteer committee of community members who review each application in detail, aiming to advance a generous, educated, healthy, collaborative, and vibrant community. The committee includes Dr. Kathy Clark, Dr. Henry Heinzmann, Tom Schifer, Kevin Smith, Matt Primmer, and Nicolle Willis.

Marion Community Foundation’s Community Grants are funded by various charitable endowments, including the Robert M. & Dorothy C. Wopat Community Fund, Dan & Terri Tobin Fund, Randy & Sandra Winland Fund, and many others.

Established in 1998, Marion Community Foundation is located at 504 S. State St. in Marion. For more information, visit MarionCommunityFoundation.org or call 740-387-9704.