Washington County, OH – Marietta Community Foundation has completed its first grant cycle of 2021. During its Spring Grant Cycle, the Foundation saw a positive, emerging trend among its donors that could prove to be a gamechanger for the nonprofits in Washington County.

Each approved grant cycle request is funded through a combination of the Foundation’s Community Impact Fund and donor funds placed in their care. While the Foundation reinvests substantial amounts of its resources into local projects and programs, individuals and families who have funds at the Foundation are given the opportunity to participate in the process as well.

“As an individual who receives at least 1-2 charitable requests from national organizations with little knowledge about how my donations will ever trickle down to Marietta, where I live,” said Karen Binkley, a fundholder at the Foundation. “That’s why I enjoy giving through Marietta Community Foundation, I like learning about local 501(c)3’s who are seeking money for local projects that I will be able to appreciate.”

This year, the Foundation saw a rise in donor contributions during the grant cycle, a trend that could generate a positive impact for local nonprofits.

“There are many worthy causes in our area, but we are only able to give so much in each cycle,” said Heather Allender, President & CEO at the Foundation. “The increased generosity from our donors helps us bridge the gap and fund more local projects that are making a difference in our community.”

Listed below are the applicants whose grant has been approved by a majority vote from the Foundation’s Board of Directors:

-   The Right Path For Washington County

-   Marietta High School Wall of Sound Band Boosters

-   Ely Chapman Education Foundation

-   Boys & Girls Club of Washington County

-   Marietta Choir Boosters

-   Marietta In Bloom

-   Consumer Credit Counseling of the Mid-Ohio Valley

-   Marietta College – S.T.R.E.A.M. Camp

-   Hippodrome Colony Historic Theatre Association

-   Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio

-   WASCO, Inc.

-   Washington County Career Center

-   Belpre Performing Arts Boosters

-   O’Neill Senior Center

Applicants submitted their proposal packets for the Foundation’s 2021 Spring Grant Cycle by the February 15th deadline. The Foundation’s Allocations Committee and staff conducted research leading up to the final approvals, determined by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Grant recipients will often receive a combination of grants from the Foundation’s Community Impact Fund and donations from active donors who utilize the Foundation’s management and distribution services.

The Foundation’s next grant cycle will take place in the Fall of 2021, with grant applications due on September 15th.

Marietta Community Foundation works to improve Washington County through grants and initiatives. If you are an individual who wants to make a difference in your community but doesn’t know where to start, please contact the Foundation at 740-373-3286 or by emailing heather@mcfohio.org.