Foundation Announces 2023 Spring Community Grant Recipients

The Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF) Board of Trustees met in May and approved grant awards for the Spring competitive grant cycle. Nineteen organizations were awarded grants totaling $454,123 from some of the Foundation’s named Community and Field of Interest funds:

Caring Closet of Wooster received a $20,000 grant from the Beaverson Foundation Community Fund to create a Youth Shopping Space for children from disadvantaged, foster, or domestic abuse backgrounds who need essential clothing items. 

Central American Medical Outreach, Inc. (CAMO) received a $17,000 grant from the John Kaylor Memorial Fund to purchase a gently used box truck to pick up donated medial equipment and supplies.

The City of Orrville received a $50,000 grant from the Carl E. Congdon, Jr. and Susanna Congdon McIntyre Memorial Fund for Phase 2 of Orr Park Skate Park.

Friends of Secrest Arboretum received a $40,000 grant from the WCCF General Fund to improve functionality, accessiblity and safety of the John Streeter Garden Amphitheater.

Green Local Schools received a $5,000 grant from the Beaverson Foundation Community Fund to purchase and install new TV screens, signage and trophy cases in the Berkey Fieldhouse Lobby.

Learn ‘N Play of Wooster received a $10,000 grant from an anonymous community fund to update their playground equipment.

Ohio's Hospice LifeCare received a $40,014 grant from the Lloyd James Memorial Fund and the Beaverson Foundation Community Fund to purchase items for patients’ end-of-life comfort, such as a cardiac monitor, speciality mattresses, an expandable bed, mobility chairs and pumps. 

The Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club received a $8,645.82 grant from the Carl E. Congdon, Jr. and Susanna Congdon McIntyre Memorial Fund to purchase equipment to create a portable music studio/lab to expose kids to the joy of making music and learning to play instruments. 

The Orrville Historical Museum received a $25,000 grant from the Carl E. Congdon, Jr. and Susanna Congdon McIntyre Memorial Fund to install proper footer drains along the south and east sides of the historic Judge Smith Orr home and to shore up the foundation where needed to prevent water damage to the house.

Milton Township/Wayne County received a $10,608 grant from the Beaverson Foundation Community Fund for the Sterling Fire District to purchase a Dual Purpose Hose and Gear Dyer for their fire station to decontaminate and dry firefighter’s gear between fires.

Summer Stage Wooster received a $2,855.24 grant from an anonymous community fund to purchase portable, energy-efficient LED lights for their stage productions. 

Triway Local School District received a $20,000 grant from the Helen Sprowls Charitable Fund to purchase equipment for their growing Robotics Team.

The Village of Dalton Ohio, Police and Fire Departments received a $15,000 grant from the Beaverson Foundation Community to purchase a public safety drone and the necessary training/licensing.

Wayne Center for the Arts (WCA) received a $30,000 grant from an anonymous community fund and the Ruth Tieche Community Fund to transform a neglected park behind WCA into a revitalized, safe, attractive Art Park that is accessible to all.

Wayne County Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc. received a $10,000 grant from the Workman Family Community Grant Fund and the WCCF General Fund to provide training to mandated reporters (teachers, daycares, nurses, doctors, counselors, law enforcement personnel) on how to protect our children from sexual predators, who are often someone the children know and trust. 

Wayne County Childrens STEAM Playlab Inc. received a $30,000 grant from the Nolan and Elsie Hite Community Fund, the Robert L. and Kathleen M. Polsky Foundation Community Fund, and the Lillian Steiner Community Fund to purchase 3D printers, a router, a CNC machine, a laser engraver, a vinyl printer and furniture to create a Art Smart Studio.

The Wayne County Public Library received a $50,000 grant from the Andrew Berkey Fund, the Margaret Hauenstein Memorial Fund, and the WCCF General Fund for their new library branch in Rittman.

The Wooster Community Hospital Foundation received a $20,000 grant from the Lloyd James Memorial Fund to purchase adult and infant manikins and simulators to train medical professionals on real-life clinical scenarios.

The YMCA of Wayne County received a $50,000 grant from the Carl E. Congdon, Jr. and Susanna Congdon McIntyre Memorial Fund for roof repairs and replacement for the Orrville YMCA. 

The WCCF is a not-for-profit charitable community organization established in 1978 to accept contributions, create and administer funds, and make grants for the benefit of the people of Wayne County. Since 1978, the Foundation has awarded more than $106 million in the form of grants and scholarships from its 550 separate funds.

Its Community and Field-of-Interest funds permit the WCCF Board of Trustees to be responsive to the changing needs of the community. Donations to these funds by individuals, families, businesses and service organizations help to increase the amount available for grants each year. Contact Melanie Reusser Garcia, WCCF Executive Director, for more information.

Competitive grant applications from nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable organizations should be submitted by March 1 and September 1 each year. The grant guidelines and online application are available on their website, www.waynecountycommunityfoundation.org.