Arts and Nature among big Winners of Grants

Summer felt like it was in the homestretch with a mix of playful and educational grant requests presented to the Tipp City Foundation for consideration in the September distribution meeting.

Several new projects for our region were addressed such as the Canal Jumpers Vintage Base Ball Club storage, Bethel Youth Soccer AED units, and the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery renovation. Perennial programs such as tree planting around town and the Bethel Local Schools music program were also supported.

Ultimately, five organizations received eight awards totaling $18,837.43. Since 1943, $3,166,648.32 has been awarded to local causes.

The following is a list of recipients, award levels and the impact these grants will make. Additional support that donor advisors of the Tipp City Foundation gave through their grantmaking is noted with an asterisk (*).

ARTS & CULTURE

Bethel Local Schools, $2,471.44, keeps the beat for 200 Bethel Bees, grades 5-12 in band, through the purchases of a xylophone and percussion equipment. Awarded from the Bethel Arts and Bethel Community Funds.

Bethel Local Schools, $1,700, exposes 1st graders to the arts with two visits from Victoria Theatre Discovery Series, “Wit and Wisdom”. A Bethel Arts Fund award.

Vandalia Youth Theatre, award*, casts every Tipp City or Bethel student who auditions into a production of this regional youth theatre through a scholarship stipend. An Edward C. and Sherry S. Hartwell Memorial Fund award.

NATURE

Dayton Society of Natural History, $5,000, brings learning into reach at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery by supporting hands-on facility renovation of this popular museum.

Tipp City Parks Department, $3,752, plants trees in curb lawns throughout the city. A Lucille Milner Trees for Tipp Fund award. *Additional support from Robinson-Walters Family Fund rounds out this request for a total of $5,752.

Tipp City Parks Department, $2,975, continues the partnership with Tipp City to plant a tree grove in Kyle Park to honor donors. 

EDUCATION

Bethel Local Schools, $400, grows passionate writers by funding the entrance fee to the JustWrite Ohio high school creative writing competition. A Bethel Arts Fund award.

Ticket to Dream Scholarship, award*, extends scholarship opportunities to children of single-parent homes. Only 20% of single parent children earn a college degree. This organization aims to change the statistics in our region. An Edward C. and Sherry S. Hartwell Memorial Fund award.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Bethel Area Youth Soccer Association, $2,139.99, equips the sidelines with AED units to serve the coaches, referees and visitors watching 225 children, ages 3-14, play soccer. Awarded from the Safety First and Bethel Community Funds.

Miami County Public Health, award*, straps 40 infants safely into new car seats. Lessons for caregivers on safe seat installation will be given by certified passenger safety technicians. A Community Compassion Fund award.

RECREATION

Downtown Tipp City Partnership, $399, secures storage in City Park for the Tippecanoe Canal Jumpers Vintage Base Ball Club. 

Discretionary grants are made possible because of contributions, of any size, from the public. A full list of the foundation’s 67 endowment funds is available at www.tippfoundation.org.

Quarterly grant deadlines are February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 each year. Jim Ranft is available for your grant-related questions at 937-528-2482. Applications are available online at www.tippfoundation.org. 

Members of the Foundation are Heather Bailey, Richard Bender, president, Bryan Blake, Diana Featherstone, Dee Gillis, Joellen Heatherly, Glen McMurry, Jim Ranft, distribution chair, Julie Taylor, treasurer, Jackie Wahl, Julia Watson, Bill Wendel, secretary/vice president, and Carolyn Wright.

The Tipp City Foundation is a component fund of The Troy Foundation. If you would like information about how to make a tax-deductible contribution or how to establish an endowment fund, please contact Heather Bailey at (937) 528-2482.

For more information visit www.tippfoundation.org or Tipp Foundation on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.