VWCF Funds Area Nonprofits
The Van Wert County Foundation has released designated funds to area nonprofit organizations and finished its competitive spring grant cycle last month. The Foundation provides annual funding of designated grants to named organizations identified by donors who wish to support these organizations in perpetuity. The competitive grant cycle is a biannual process where Van Wert County nonprofits, government, and schools can apply for funding. The applications submitted by these organizations are reviewed and voted on by The Foundation’s Board of Trustees with the main focus of the process being how the organization’s project is focused on creating a well-resourced and thriving quality of life for our community.
In 2022 The Van Wert County Foundation granted $1,410,466.03 to 66 area organizations. Funding for these 66 nonprofits came from 60 memorial funds. Designated grants are funded by donors who bequeath their legacy to a specific organization. Some of the most impact grants this year included the James P. and Louis T. Johnson Memorial Fund which granted $129,000 to First Presbyterian Church. The Gaylord and Eliza Saltzgaber music fund granted $199,000 to the Van Wert Performing Arts Fund (which serves Feel Good Friday). The Leslie Endowment Fund provided more than $190,000 to various Van Wert organizations including the YMCA, First Presbyterian Church, Woodland Cemetary, Van Wert City Schools, and Van Wert Health. Vantage Career Center was granted $162,000.00 from the Rose R. and Ellis C. Lampe Fund by Frieda Rothacker. The Wassenberg Art Center was also a recipient of a designated grant from the Wassenberg Memorial Fund for nearly $147,000.
The 2022 spring competitive grant application was also very successful. The Van Wert County Foundation awarded $601,398 in grants to 33 different organizations from 27 named funds. Some of the most exciting projects in our community that were funded this year include $50,000 to the Van Wert County Humane Society for the construction of its new facility. Funding was provided by the James A. and Minnie C. Kesler Fund. Wee Care Learning Center was awarded a $15,000 grant for new windows in its facility from the Associated Charities Fund. The Flickinger Memorial Trust awarded $50,000 to the Van Wert County Regional Airport Capital Improvement Fund. The largest competitive grant was awarded to Hiestand Woods for its capital wooded preservation project. Nearly $198,000 was awarded from the Lee R. and Nellie Bonnewitz and Alice B Andersen Memorial Fund, the Russell and Dorothy Gilliand Memorial Fund, Oscar J. Scaer Memorial Fund, and the Associated Charities Fund.
The Van Wert County Foundation is a philanthropic organization focused on creating a well-resourced and thriving quality of life for Van Wert County, Ohio. The Van Wert County Foundation transforms quality of life by supporting purpose, inspiring growth, and building the future. More information can be found on www.vanwertcountyfoundation.org.
