2026 Community Grants Award $646K+

$646,741 Total Awards
40 Organizations Funded: Ranging from small grass-roots initiatives to major safety-net providers.
$2 Million+ in Requested Need
65% Dedicated to Operations: Stabilizing local programs and services.
27% Dedicated to Infrastructure: Funding long-term capital needs, equipment replacement, and facility safety.

OCTOBER 2026 –Marion Community Foundation’s Board of Directors has approved $646,000 in awards for the organization’s 2026 Community Grants program. The grants will support 36 local organizations working to address community needs, including programs and projects for youth, health and wellness, animal care, basic needs, the arts, and the environment.

“The Community Grants program give us an important opportunity to engage directly with the nonprofits working every day to address the needs of our community,” said Kate McCleese, program manager. “Because we understand the challenges facing Marion, these applications give us an important perspective on how organizations are responding to those needs and where our support can make a meaningful difference.”

More than 100 applications were submitted for the 2026 grants. A nine-member selection committee of community volunteers reviewed each application in detail, considering the organization’s demonstrated need, the potential community impact, and the effectiveness of each proposed investment.

“Our Community Grants Committee made decisions to invest 65% of available funds directly into the operations of ongoing programs,” McCleese said. “These dollars are preserving the services people rely on every day — from keeping food pantries stocked and youth centers open to protecting crime victims and supporting low-income seniors.”

An additional 27% of grant funding was directed toward capital improvements, including equipment for essential health care services and safety improvements in local parks.

“These investments are helping local organizations continue their important work today while also strengthening the resources and infrastructure that our community will rely on for years to come,” McCleese said.

The 2026 Community Grants selection committee included Jody Demo-Hodgins, Dr. Kathy Clark, Heidi Jones, Matt Primmer, Tom Schifer, Erin Slater, Kevin Smith, Diane Watson and Nicolle Willis. Committee members volunteered multiple hours to carefully review and evaluate the applications.

“We are grateful to the donors of the Foundation,” said Demo-Hodgins. “Their generosity gives us the flexibility to respond to our community’s changing needs and invest where support can make the greatest difference.”

The growth of Community Grants also reflects the Foundation’s expanding ability to support Marion through multiple grantmaking and scholarship programs.

“We’re pleased to see our overall grantmaking ability grow,” said Julie Prettyman, Foundation president and CEO. “For many years, Community Grants was our largest grant program. Today, it is one of several programs through which the Foundation is able to make significant investments in our community.”

“That growth is a wonderful reflection of the generosity of our donors and the strength of Marion Community Foundation,” Prettyman said. “In 2026 alone, our designated grants reached $665,000 and our scholarship program topped $682,000. Together, these programs are creating opportunities, strengthening organizations and helping move Marion forward.”

Through Community Grants and its other grantmaking programs, Marion Community Foundation works to connect philanthropy with the needs and opportunities that matter most to the Marion community.

Aspire Ministries, “Hauling Hope” — Provides essential home furnishings and durable medical equipment, delivered free of charge, when finances or insurance may be a barrier.

Boys and Girls Club of Marion County, “Pathways to Full Potential Future Ready Youth” — Provides mentorship, academic support, leadership development, wellness, and career exploration to help youth build skills, confidence, resilience, and opportunities for lifelong success.

Caledonia Farmers Market, “Supplement for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program” — Provides coupons at the farmers market for low-income Marion County seniors age 60 and older to purchase fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, and honey.

Celebrate Recovery — Provides a recovery program focused on healing from hurts, habits, and hang-ups while supporting spouses, families, and children.

Center Street Community Health Center, “Optometry Innovation to Expand Vision Services” — Partners with Digital Optometrics to bring remote optometry services to Marion. The model allows a licensed optometrist to perform comprehensive eye exams in coordination with Health Center staff.

Cents for Shoes — Provides Shoe Sensation vouchers for Marion children ages 3-18 who receive benefits from Job and Family Services, providing shoes one week before school starts.

City of Marion, “Rec Ball Equipment” — Purchases essential equipment and uniforms for the Rec Ball program, supporting safe, reliable participation in organized sports while helping keep recreational opportunities affordable and accessible for Marion families.

City of Marion, “Rec Access” — Provides free access to The Rec for teens, offering a safe, community-oriented space with activities that promote personal growth and success.

Friends of the Marion County Dog Shelter, “‘Fixing’ Marion County’s Dogs” — Supplements care for dogs at the Marion County Dog Pound and ensures dogs are spayed or neutered before adoption to help prevent unwanted puppies from entering the shelter system.

Grace Clinics of Ohio Inc., “Safety Net Free Healthcare Program Expansion” — Helps to fill the healthcare gap by increasing access to free, compassionate health care for uninsured individuals living in poverty.

Heart of Ohio Homeless Shelter — Supports operations of Marion’s emergency shelter, a 28-bed facility serving men, women and families from Marion, Delaware, Union, Wyandot, Morrow, and Crawford counties.

Hope for Health Clinic, “Generational Healing for Women, Children & Families” — Provides recovery support services in Marion, including education, connection, and support focused on trauma healing, resilience, family restoration, and long-term recovery.

LaRue Community Alliance, “Baseball Field Lighting Renovations” — Replaces broken overhead lighting with new LED lights so baseball teams, youth, and family members can continue to benefit from Marion County baseball leagues under safe conditions.

Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio, “Housing Justice Project” — Helps low-income tenants remain safely housed through legal representation related to housing voucher termination, eviction proceedings, unsafe housing conditions, debt, and income protection.

LifeCare Alliance, “Meals-on-Wheels and Senior Dining Centers” — Provides nutritious meals and regular wellness checks to homebound older adults and individuals age 60 and older living with medical challenges or disabilities in Marion County. Senior Dining Centers provide meals, socialization, and enriching programming to promote successful aging.

Luke 3:11 Ministries, “More Than Laundry: Beyond Clean Clothes” — Provides free laundromat services and essential hygiene products to local families experiencing financial hardship. The program helps Marion residents maintain health, dignity, confidence, employability, and household stability while stretching limited budgets.

Marion Area Boxing Club, “Fitness Center” — Supports youth development through amateur boxing fitness training, mentorship, and life-skills education. The club provides a safe, structured environment where youth develop discipline, confidence, leadership, and healthy lifestyle habits while building positive relationships with coaches and peers.

Marion Arts Legacy Alliance, “Sustaining the Marion Open & Gemini Drum & Bugle Corps” — Continues the successful Marion Open and launches additional arts programming and a new Gemini Drum & Bugle Corps in Marion.

Marion City Schools Nutrition Program, “Filling the ‘Break’ Meal Gap” — Provides meals for students experiencing food insecurity during weeklong school breaks.

Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities, “Family & Sibling Support Groups” — Provides a safe, welcoming space for siblings, families and caregivers to share experiences, connect with others facing similar challenges, and access supportive resources.

Marion County Council on Aging, “Senior Fresh Produce Deliveries to Senior Communities” — Provides Marion County seniors with access to healthy, nutritious food by delivering fresh fruits and vegetables directly to subsidized apartment communities each month. The deliveries increase access to fresh produce, promote healthy eating, and help reduce barriers such as transportation and mobility challenges.

Marion County Park District, “Summer Internship” — Provides funding to hire an intern during summer 2027 who will connect residents with nature under the mentorship of naturalist James Anderson.

Marion County Park District, “Northwoods Nature Preserve” — Supports the creation of Northwoods Nature Preserve by permanently protecting 93.34 acres of ecologically significant woodlands, wetlands, and the Olentangy River corridor while providing public access through trails, parking, and outdoor educational opportunities for residents, students, and visitors.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office, “Project SERVE” — Develops positive relationships between law enforcement and the community through activities designed to build respect at an early age. Project SERVE provides meals for participating children and opportunities to make new friends.

Marion Crawford Prevention Programs, “Building Student Leadership Opportunities” — Strengthens student-led prevention efforts in all five Marion County school districts through Junior Teen Institute, Teen Institute, and the Marion County Youth Advisory Board. These youth-led programs build leadership, improve school climate, promote mental wellness, and create positive, drug-free opportunities for peers.

Marion Family YMCA, “The Rec Center” — Partners with the City of Marion, Marion City Schools and community organizations to operate the Rec and Resource Teen Center downtown. Serving grades six through 12, the center provides a safe space for teens to connect, access resources, and participate in recreation, technology, creativity, and youth development activities.

Marion Family YMCA’s Marion Mentors, “Investing in Youth 2027-28” — Creates life-changing relationships between caring adult mentors and local youth, helping them develop confidence, make positive choices, overcome obstacles, and build a brighter future for themselves and their community.

Marion Matters Inc., “Program & Agency Support” — Supports Marion Matters and its clients through education, tools, and personalized support designed to build self-sufficiency. Marion Matters’ programs, classes and resource navigation services provide a holistic approach to addressing generational and situational poverty in Marion County.

Marion Public Library, “Let’s Read 20” — Supports Let’s Read 20 Marion Day and author visits to connect youth with books and authors and build a community of lifelong readers. Engaging books and authors encourage a love of reading and learning, empower youth, and help them recognize the value of telling their own stories.

Marion Victim Assistance Program — Provides free, trauma-informed, victim-centered services to victims of all crimes in Marion County. Advocates offer crisis intervention, safety planning, criminal justice advocacy, and community referrals. By helping victims navigate the criminal justice system and begin healing, the program strengthens individuals, families, and the Marion community.

Mid-Ohio Fine Art Society, “Youth Outreach Program” — Partners with the Boys and Girls Club of Marion County to offer art classes to students at the club’s Oak Street facility and River Valley Local Schools, as well as support the annual all-county high school Art Show held at Tri-Rivers.

New Bloomington Village Council, “Playground” — Supports installation of an engineered wood fiber playground for safer play and promote outdoor activity.

Peace and Freedom Committee, “2027 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration” — Supports the 2027 MLK Day Breakfast and Youth Oratory & Art Contests. The annual celebration uplifts youth voices and honors Dr. King’s legacy by promoting freedom, resilience, and equity, particularly within Marion’s community of color.

St. John Lutheran Church Windfall, “Bread for All People” — Serves the Marion and Morrow communities through two weekly food programs: a free community meal and Bountiful Backpacks. The meal is available to anyone for dine-in, pickup, or delivery. Bountiful Backpacks provides canned and boxed foods to local schools for families experiencing food insecurity.

The Salvation Army, “FreshStart Food & Care” — Expands the food pantry by providing essential items such as eggs, milk and butter, along with personal care products such as soap, shampoo and deodorant, to combat food insecurity and promote dignity and well-being.

The Salvation Army, “Level Up! Life Skills Academy” — Empowers children and parents with essential life skills, social-emotional growth, and leadership through hands-on workshops, faith-based activities, and community projects. The program equips youth with skills to break generational poverty, promotes self-sufficiency, and strengthens the Marion community.

The Salvation Army, “Feeding Marion” — Replaces two aging commercial ovens that are essential to preparing more than 10,000 meals annually for Marion residents. The ovens support the Level Up! Life Skills Academy, Community Meal Program, Emergency Disaster Services, and the Summer Feeding Program.

Tri-Rivers Career Center, “Expect to Be Amazing Summer Camp” — Introduces elementary and middle school students from nine area school districts to career-technical education. Through hands-on activities and program exploration, campers experience Tri-Rivers Career Center’s career pathways and explore future educational and career opportunities.

Turning Point/Concerned Citizens Against Violence Against Women, “Marion County Domestic Violence Advocacy” — Provides programming for victims of domestic violence and their minor children, including a crisis hotline, shelter, victims’ rights advocacy, domestic violence education, individual and group support, and information and referrals to community agencies.

Village of Morral, “Playground Project at Washburn Browne Park” — Replaces aging playground equipment to create a safe, accessible recreational space for children and families, strengthen community connections, promote healthy outdoor activity, and preserve a valued gathering place for future generations.

Warren G. Harding Presidential Sites, “Laddie Boy Mystery Club” — Provides an innovative program that promotes critical thinking in children through hands-on, experiential learning activities at the Harding Presidential Sites museum while fostering a lifelong interest in history and pride in the Marion community.

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