Wayne County Community Youth Foundation Awards $5,500 in Grants

The Wayne County Community Youth Foundation (YF) provides educational and practical experiences on how community foundations operate, with the goal of getting high school students engaged in local “structured” philanthropy. Each year, student participants in the program also award grants from the Wayne County Community Youth Foundation Fund to local nonprofit organizations that support youth programs.

Student advisors evaluated eleven grant proposals for the 2024 grant cycle. Based on their recommendations to the Wayne County Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees, four organizations received grants totaling $5,500:

IncludeAbility received a $600 grant to purchase two additional portable ramps to add to their lending library. Individuals with disabilities will be able to sign out the portable ramps for short periods of time to use as needed and return to IncludeAbility.

Rittman Middle School received a $1,300 grant to implement flexible seating, sensory tools, movement activities, and other resources for special needs to ensure that every student can actively engage in the learning process.

The Viola Startzman Clinic received a $2,000 grant to improve their dental clinic’s equipment by upgrading to digital imagery, patient-side computers, and digital patient charting software to better serve lower income patients and especially children and youth.

Wayne Center for the Arts received a $1,600 grant to purchase equipment to host classes in beginner music appreciation and piano to help increase access to music in the community.

Earlier this year, this YF class also collected $400 through their Giving Jar Initiative and matching donations. They then donated the funds to the Wooster Youth Baseball Fund, a component fund of the Wayne County Community Foundation.

The Youth Foundation meets once a month at an area nonprofit organization during the school year to get a better understanding of why the organization exists and how it serves the community. Participants also gain valuable leadership experience, learn more about local charitable giving and how investments grow charitable funds; evaluate and recommend grant awards, and meet local philanthropic leaders.

For the 2023-2024 school year, 35 students representing nine local high schools participated in the Youth Foundation. A program graduation was held on May 5, 2024 at The Connection Conference & Event Center.

Competitive grant applications to the Wayne County Community Youth Foundation from nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable organizations serving the youth of Wayne County should be submitted by February 1 each year. The grant guidelines and online application are available on the WCCF website, www.waynecountycommunityfoundation.org.