Washington County, OH– Although COVID-19 caused several set-backs to its 2020 Spring Grant Cycle, Marietta Community Foundation was still able to support several local nonprofit organizations who had applied for funding.

At the onset of the pandemic, we were in the process of determining which applications would receive funding through our regular Spring Grant Cycle,” said Mason Beuhring, Communications & Program Services Director at the Foundation. “It became apparent that the best course of action was to shift our focus to emergency needs.”

With the quick thinking from the Foundation’s Board of Directors and Staff, a three-pronged plan was initiated and the COVID-19 Community Response Fund was created to help the community weather the consequences of the pandemic. However, the Spring Cycle would still yield a positive outcome for several organizations, despite the obstacles that COVID-19 presented.

“Although we were focusing on the emergency issues facing our county, we still wanted to support the ongoing needs of our local nonprofits,” said Beuhring.

Organizations who received grant funding from the Foundation’s Spring Grant Cycle include:

• The Betsey Mills Club

• Boys & Girls Club of Washington County

• iBelieve Foundation

• Marietta Children’s Choir

• Marietta Family YMCA

• Marietta In Bloom

• Muskingum Valley Council Boy Scouts

• Nonprofits LEAD

• Salvation Army

• The Castle

• Washington County Career Center

“This grant is an investment in the youth of our community and our organization now and for many years to come,” said Rebecca Johnson, Executive Director of the Washington County Boys & Girls Club, who received $20,000, from the Foundation, for their gym renovation project. “We hope to have the roof completed by the end of the calendar year, and the Foundation’s support helps to make sure that we can move forward with the first phase of the project without interruption.”

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 2020 Fall Grant Cycle is currently open to all 501(c)3 nonprofits who serve the community of Washington County. Nonprofits are encouraged to submit applications for the Fall Cycle as soon as they are able. Grant applications can be found at www.mcfohio/grants, and the deadline for submission is September 15th at 5:00 p.m.

“If you are a nonprofit organization who has an upcoming project, an upcoming program, or has Learn moreexperienced issues due to COVID-19, we want to hear how we can help!” said Beuhring.

The Marietta Community Foundation meets National Standards for operational quality, donor service, and accountability in the community foundation sector. Founded in 1974, the Marietta Community Foundation has grown over the years thanks to a number of generous gifts.

Marietta Community Foundation works to improve Washington County through grants and initiatives, if you want to assist the local nonprofits serving Washington County, please donate to the Foundation’s Community Impact Fund, or contact Heather Allender at 740-373-3286 or heather@mcfohio.org.