The Miami County Foundation awarded fifty-seven separate grants totaling $73,694 during a recent Grant Distribution Celebration.

Joe Duncan, President Board of Directors, welcomed agency and school representatives. “I know the late Richard E. Hunt, who established the organization, would be pleased by the growth and service of the Foundation,” said Duncan. “His idea of people helping people is the basis of the Foundation’s goals of helping donors to accomplish their philanthropic objectives as effectively as possible and to build a permanent endowment of private funding to serve the Miami County community.”

Duncan stated over $3.7 million has been distributed in grants and scholarships over the past 26 years. He presented an overview of the Foundation’s grant and scholarship programs.

By allocating grants twice yearly, the Foundation helps schools, individual students and charitable organizations to attain their objectives. As a result, the Foundation serves as a catalyst for innovative programs in the arts, community development, education, environment, health and human services.

Fifty-seven grants totally $73,694 were awarded to assist a variety of projects in Miami County and ranged from $200 to $5,000. Recipient organizations included A.B. Graham Memorial Center, Bethel Local Schools, Bradford Church of the Brethren MANNA feeding program, Bradford Church of the Nazarene Peanut Butter & Jesus Program, Bradford High School, Bradford Public Library, Brukner Nature Center, Covington Elementary School, Covington High School Science Dept., Covington Middle School, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Forest Hill Union Cemetery, G.I.V.E., Inc., Girls on the Run of Dayton, Golden Acres Ministrant Center, Hospice of Miami County, Mental Health Association, Miami County Agricultural Society for Jr. Fair, Miami County Dental Clinic, Miami East High School Muse Machine, Miami East Junior High School MUSE Machine, Milton Union Elementary School, Milton Union School, Needy Basket of Southern Miami Co., New Friends of Milton Union Public Library, Partners In Hope, Piqua City School Washington Intermediate, Piqua City Schools, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Miami Valley Region, Sunrise Center Goodwill Easter Seals Adult Day Services, The Barn Ministry, The Salvation Army, Tipp City Public Library, Troy Christian High School, Troy City School Concord Elementary, Troy Literacy Council, Troy Lunch Club, Troy Music Boosters and WACO Historical Society.

In addition, the Foundation provides on-going humanitarian grants for food, utility, shelter and medical assistance programs throughout the county. Agencies selected to receive these grants consist of the American Red Cross, Bethany Center’s soup kitchen, Covington Outreach Association, FISH Union Township, Family Abuse Shelter of Miami County, G.I.V.E., Health Partners of Miami County, New Path, Partners in Hope, Salvation Army in Piqua, St. James Episcopal Church food pantry and St. Patrick’s Soup Kitchen.

The celebration concluded with a final comment from Duncan to grant recipients, “On behalf of the Miami County Foundation Board of Directors, accept our thanks for the work each of you and those serving your organizations provide to our county.”

The deadline for fall 2011 grant distribution is the last day of August. Eligible organizations must provide services directly to the citizens of Miami County, must be certified federally tax-exempt by the IRS as a 501c or equivalent organization, preferably a 501 (c)(3) and organizations are limited to one grant per 12 month period. You can request a grant application by calling the office at 773-9012 or download a copy from the Foundation’s website at www.miamicountyfoundation.org. Contributions to the unrestricted fund are accepted in any amount and can be mailed to the Foundation office at P.O. Box 1526, Piqua, OH 45356-1526.