2017 Community Grants for the Arts & History
Appreciation of the arts and local history add an important layer of culture to a community.
“Marion Community Foundation is pleased to award nearly $59,000 in grants in support of the Marion Palace Theatre, Peace and Freedom Committee, Harding 2020, and the Mid Ohio Fine Arts Society,” announced Dean Jacob, President and CEO of the Foundation.
A $20,000 grant to the Palace Cultural Arts Association will help to fund improvements at the May Pavilion. The Pavilion has been used by nearly 100,000 guests since it’s opening in 2008. Weddings, receptions, funeral dinners, civic group meetings, graduation and reunion parties, plays, dinner theatres, and more have all been staged in the 15,000-square-foot facility. With performances, rehearsals, movies, and rentals, the Palace is in use 320 out of 365 days a year.
“With a desire to continue to meet guests’ needs in a quality setting, we need to perform some general upkeep including repainting the walls, replacing broken tiles, and updating worn draperies,” said executive director Bev Ford. “In addition, we want to improve patrons’ experiences with new seating options and risers.”
Marion’s Peace & Freedom Committee hosts the Central Ohio Regional Oratorical, Art, Poetry, and Essay Contest, as well as the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast. The $4,500 grant from Marion Community Foundation will provide trophies and incentives for youth and cover speaker fees and expenses for the annual breakfast program.
”The Peace and Freedom Committee of Marion County will host its 11th annual event honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King Jr. on January 15th, 2018, at the May Pavilion in the historic Palace Theater,” said organizer Lora Troutman.
In 2017, Marion Community Foundation is providing the second of eight anticipated grants of $31,250 to Harding 2020 to create an endowment fund for perpetual support of the forthcoming Harding Presidential Center. The Foundation is a major supporter, having already provided $225,000 to help secure the surrounding land for the project.
The overall Harding 2020 project includes the restoration of the Harding Home and grounds and construction of a Presidential Center. The operating endowment welcomes additional gifts and has a goal of $1 million.
Mid Ohio Fine Arts Society has been awarded a $3,000 grant to support their Youth Outreach Program, which affords youth in grades K-12 the opportunity to participate in art activities and shows.
According to Anne Quilter, “MOFAS, through Marion’s Boys & Girls Club, provides art classes on a weekly basis for all interested children. These classes continue year-round. And, once a year, there is an art show showcasing the students’ efforts in the Marion City Hall lobby.”
In addition, MOFAS offers all high school students in Marion County the opportunity to participate in an art show and competition. This juried show begins at each of the local high schools where artworks are selected for the final show, which, for the last several years, has been hosted by Tri Rivers.
Marion Community Foundation’s 2017 grants committee, which includes Judge Deb Alspach (chair), Jeremy Dunn, Kelly Garrett, Dr. Henry Heinzmann, Rev. Dan Kiger, Dr. Kim Stark, and Nicolle Wampler, reviewed the applications received this fall, giving each application multiple and thorough review. The Community Grants Program awarded a total of $538,000 in 36 grants to 30 Marion nonprofits in 2017. Additional grants, in excess of $1.2 million, are awarded from donor advised and designated funds throughout the year.
“Every year, we are proud to support the Marion area with grants from the Foundation’s Community Grants Program,” said Jacob. “There are numerous caring, hard working nonprofits striving to support the people of Marion. However, every year, the needs exceed the funding available. You can create your own legacy in the community by creating a new named, endowment fund to support the organization or cause you are most passionate about.”
Marion Community Foundation is located at 504 S. State St. in Marion and information is available by visiting or calling, 740-387-9704.
