The final quarterly meeting of the Foundation was not short of ideas on how to best impact the community.
Though a pandemic prevails, so does a skilled community of nonprofit organizations supporting citizens in need. Health, nutrition, safety and literacy are fundamentals to quality of life. Each of these was addressed through the grants awarded.
Ultimately, 10 organizations were chosen to receive 12 awards. Grants totaled $28,403.40.
The following is a list of recipients, award levels and the impact grants will make. The additional support that donor advisors gave through their grantmaking is included.
COVID RESPONSE
Miami County Dental Clinic, $3,000.00, undergirds operating expenses, which have held steady during the pandemic, though partnerships with The Ohio State University dental program and fundraising events have been restricted. The mission of the clinic is to provide quality dental care to low-income, uninsured, and under-insured patients.
Miami County Recovery Council, $2,843.80, continues to support the increased demands on Hope House, a residential opiate withdrawal management program. Located in Troy, it was the first facility of its kind in the Miami Valley. MCRC works closely with the courts, UVMC, employers and families looking for a safe location where a person can successfully withdraw from opiates or methamphetamine. The overwhelming majority of admissions are self-referrals.
Needy Basket of Southern Miami County, $1,000.00, helps purchase an additional 35,000 – 45,000 pounds of food above the original 2020 estimate.
ARTS & CULTURE
Bethel Local Schools, $2,176.20, nourishes elementary students through unique musical experiences found in Orff percussion instruments. Bethel School’s long-standing tradition of music program excellence is born in the early years with hands-on class experiences. This grant was made possible, in part, by the Bethel Arts Fund, established in 2014.
Bethel Local Schools, $1,524.00, elevates the art department with floor easels, not commonly found in high school art rooms. Artmaking at an easel encourages artists to work vertically, which enables them to produce works of art in the same plane of their perception and in the same plane their work will most likely be experienced by others. This is a Bethel Arts Fund grant.
Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, $2,000.00, tunes young learners into musical concepts while listening to orchestral recitals. In the past this partnership with Tipp City Schools was in person, but due to the pandemic the five “live” performances will be experienced in a streamed format. All Tipp City elementary students will experience these professional productions.
Downtown Tipp City Partnership, $1,007.00, spruces up the exteriors of downtown properties identified by the Façade Improvement Program. This is an Urban Stewardship Fund grant.
EDUCATION
Child Care Choices, $4,000.00, purchases books and activity supplies for the Story Lady, volunteer educators promoting early literacy. Serving Miami Valley childcare centers and home childcare providers, Tipp City represents 20% of this outreach. During the 2020-21 school year, educators will serve a total of 70 locations and reach 950 children.
Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $727.00, purchases a set of Literacy Footprints Guided Reading System for 4th grade readers. These books help children develop strong literacy skills and a love for reading. This grant was made possible, in part, by the Youth of Tipp City Fund imo Sara Drexler, established in 2018.
Tipp City Public Library, $3,000, meets the needs of dyslexic and struggling readers through the purchase of large print and Hi-Lo books. Hi-Lo books are high-interest, low reading level books designed to engage struggling readers by exploring complex, age-appropriate themes at a lower reading level. Book titles purchased were coordinated between the Library and the Media Specialist from Tipp City Schools.
ENVIRONMENT
Downtown Tipp City Partnership, $2,125.40, meets a need in Downtown Tipp City due to increased pedestrian traffic...there aren’t enough trash cans! What a good problem to have. This project is in conjunction with the Tipp City Street Department. Additional support from Robinson-Walters Family Fund advisors rounds out this request for a total of $2,875.40.00.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Family Abuse Shelter of Miami County, $5,000.00, contributes to the housing expansion project. Serving all of Miami County, victims of domestic violence from Tipp City and Bethel Township are eligible for emergency shelter and legal advocacy.
The deadline for 1Q grant submissions is March 1. Jim Ranft is available for your grant-related questions at 937-528-2482. Applications are available online at www.tippfoundation.org.