The Wayne County Community Foundation Board of Trustees met in November and approved grant awards for the fall competitive grant cycle. Twenty-six organizations were awarded grants totaling $673,844.78 from some of the foundation’s named community and field-of-interest funds:
—Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank received a $15,000 grant from the General Fund to support the Wayne County Direct Distribution Program, which partners with Wooster Hope Center, to provide groceries to neighbors facing hunger.
—Anazao Community Partners received a $25,000 grant from an anonymous community fund to support the transition to a sustainable outpatient, referral-driven school model by implementing the Patient Engage platform, training and referral enhancements, ensuring timely behavioral health care for 600 Wayne County students.
—Boys & Girls Club of Wooster received a $5,643.25 grant from the Earle and Ann Klosterman Family Community Fund to purchase a 30-device class set of The Walking Classroom to tackle learning disparities among youth who struggle in traditional learning environments.
—Central American Medical Outreach Inc. received a $11,733 grant from the Carl E. Congdon Jr. and Susanna Congdon McIntyre Memorial Fund to purchase and install nine computer workstations at the CAMO Orrville headquarters for local staff and volunteers.
—Christian Children's Home of Ohio received a $5,000 grant from the Jeanne Heise Adams Community Fund to cover costs associated with therapeutic outings including transportation, admission fees, meals and activity supplies that support social skill development and emotional growth.
—City of Rittman (parks and recreation) received a $16,500 grant from the John Kaylor Memorial Fund to purchase a new RTVX2 Kubota Side by Side to be used for landscaping, ball diamond work, park upkeep and more.
—Community Action Wayne/Medina received a $75,000 grant from the Robert L. and Kathleen M. Polsky Foundation Community Fund for initial startup expenses for a community health clinic in West Salem, in partnership with The Viola Startzman Clinic and the Charitable Health Network.
—Friends of Hospice Wayne County, Ohio received a $48,000 grant from the Beaverson Foundation Community Fund to make a safer and more consumer-friendly showroom, utilizing current square footage. The project includes removing interior walls for easier traffic flow and visibility and replacing worn carpet.
—Hope Homes Foundation Inc. received a $10,000 grant from the Lloyd W. James Memorial Fund to support enhancements to its four properties for disabled residents in Wooster, including smart technology, minor modifications, quality-of-life improvements and upgraded safety systems.
—Innovated Opportunity received an $8,169 grant from an anonymous community fund to expand “Dream Big, Achieve More” into “Dream Big, Innovate More,” offering Wayne County youth age 10-14 hands-on learning in entrepreneurship, STEM, game development and 3D design to build skills for future success.
—Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio received a $10,000 grant from the Nolan and Elsie Hite Community Fund to impact students in Wayne County with vital financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship programming.
—OneEighty Inc. received a $15,000 grant from the Helen A. Sprowls Charitable Fund to improve safety and security in OneEighty facilities by replacing and upgrading the door control systems.
—OrrVilla Inc. received a $50,000 grant from the Carl E. Congdon Jr. and Susanna Congdon McIntyre Memorial Fund to support its three-year capital campaign, Vision 2027, which includes an expansion that will provide the infrastructure for 18 new independent living units and build a community clubhouse and two pickleball courts.
—Pathway Caring for Children received a $20,000 grant from the Florence L. Rice Community Fund to support Pathway prevention specialists in delivering year-round, evidence-based prevention programs to 75 children age 2-10 at Kids & Giggles Daycare and Preschool in Wooster.
—Rails to Trails of Wayne County received a $50,000 grant from the Carl E. Congdon Jr. and Susanna Congdon McIntyre Memorial Fund to support the cost of necessary earthwork not originally included in the project's construction costs for the trail section between Orrville and Marshallville.
—Rittman Historical Society received a $45,000 grant from an anonymous community fund to move the Rittman B&O Train Station 1/10th mile to a greenspace owned by the City of Rittman using modern structural moving technology.
—Sacred Ground received a $45,000 grant from an anonymous community fund to purchase a handicapped-accessible van for transportation to and from its day program, as well as trips for community involvement.
—Stewart's Caring Place received a $4,000 grant from the David and Carol Briggs Community Fund to support the intake/assessment process, group support sessions and pantry distributions, tailored to the specific needs of cancer patients, for Wayne County residents seeking support for cancer-related challenges in 2026.
—Mental Health & Recovery Board of Wayne & Holmes Counties received a $20,000 grant from an anonymous community fund to purchase a digital sign for its new location on Route 585 and Benden Drive to get messages out to the community about available services.
—Tri-County Educational Service Center received a $6,000 grant from the Wayne County Choral Union Fund to support the continuation of the local Children's Chorus program.
—United Way of Wayne & Holmes Counties Inc. received a $3,500 grant from the Ronald L. and Mary E. Bricker Community Fund to purchase colored tarps and flags for each of the Wayne County school districts it works with for the Reading Under the Lights program.
—Village of Dalton (fire department) received an $8,000 grant from the Beaverson Foundation Community Fund to help purchase a new utility task vehicle outfitted for medical response to enhance the department’s emergency response capabilities in accessing remote, off-road and difficult terrain areas or in parks, trails and large outdoor events such as football games.
—Village of Mt. Eaton received a $60,000 grant from the Robert L. and Kathleen M. Polsky Foundation Community Fund to support phase two of its park renovations, which includes painting and striping four pickleball courts, fencing within and around the pickleball courts, a volleyball court, two parking lots, and fencing around the back of the park near the ravine to prevent injuries to children.
—Wayne County Children's STEAM Playlab received a $15,000 grant from an anonymous community fund to support Camp Explore, a summer camp designed to cater to youth in Wayne County from kindergarten through eighth grade, providing them with opportunities to engage in STEAM activities.
—Wayne County Fire & Rescue Association, DBA Wayne County Regional Training Facility, received a $45,462.38 grant from the Beaverson Foundation Community Fund to purchase and install a new breathing air compressor, cascade and fill station to replenish the breathing air bottles firefighters use.
—Wooster Township Fire and Rescue Association received a $56,837.15 grant from the Beaverson Foundation Community Fund to purchase a side-by-side utility vehicle to provide fire suppression and emergency medical services in areas not accessible by traditional fire department apparatus.
The WCCF is a nonprofit, 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 $124 million in the form of grants and scholarships from its 605 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 from 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 Sept. 1 each year. The grant guidelines and online application are available at www.waynecountycommunityfoundation.org.
