WCCF’s GIVE 365 Program Awards Grants

This year’s grant making focus for the Wayne County Community Foundation’s GIVE 365 program was "Supporting Wayne County, Ohio, Vulnerable Youth", with a primary focus on addressing childhood hunger and/or educational disparities resulting from a range of socio-economic factors. In May, the Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF) Board of Trustees approved 365 members’ grant recommendations totaling $19,000 to three nonprofit organizations:

• $3,250 to the Orrville United Way Inc. to support the Percy’s Backpack Program which seeks to help alleviate child hunger by addressing the lack of food resources on weekends and holidays.
• $7,250 to People to People Ministries for food, clothing and resource access for vulnerable Wayne County youth in collaboration with OHuddle Inc.
• $8,500 to Wooster Hope Center for their BackPack of Food Program which serves 13 elementary schools throughout Wayne County.

The grant process is the heart of the GIVE 365 program. Since it was established in 2016, $70,000 has been awarded in grants. Members submit ideas for an annual grant making theme; the ideas are posted online and decided by a majority vote of the membership. The grant application process is open to any nonprofit in Wayne County with a program or project that addresses the annual focus, with a grant application deadline of March 1.

A new cycle of GIVE 365 membership begins on July 1. Membership is open to anyone who wants to make Wayne County a better place by combining their charitable contributions with others to support nonprofit organizations. Members pay only a $1 a day – or $365 a year. Their gifts, pooled with those of other donors, can make a greater impact in Wayne County. To learn how you can become a member, call the Foundation at 330-262-3877 or visit www.waynecountycommunityfoundation.org.

Since 1978, the Wayne County Community Foundation has been working to strengthen the community we all share. It is a nonprofit charitable community organization. Since inception, WCCF has awarded over $94.5 million in grants and scholarships.