The timing of the first quarterly meeting of the Tipp City Foundation seems preordained to add to the celebration of long-time board member Jesse Chamberlain’s 100th birthday. By unanimous vote, all grants awarded in the session were made in his honor. His birthday is March 30.
Jesse Chamberlain served on the Foundation board from 1970 to 2020.
The variety of grants submitted for consideration was inspiring. Though the pandemic aftermath prevails, so does a skilled community of nonprofit organizations supporting citizens. Dirt digging, pedaling books, valuing trees, and outdoor seats are new elements coming to boost the quality of life. Each of these is addressed through the grants awarded.
Ultimately, 11 organizations were chosen to receive 14 awards. Grants totaled $33,527.41.
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
Downtown Tipp City Partnership, $1,414.00, meets the demand for COVID-safe outdoor dining options, by using the broad sidewalks for extra seating. Additional support from Lucky 13 Fund advisors rounds out this request for a total of $1,914.00.
St. John’s Early Childhood Program, award, purchases additional classroom desks to maintain safe distances between children. Robinson-Walters Family Fund advisors awarded the entire grant request of $500.00.
ARTS & CULTURE
Project T.I.P.P. (Teens Impacting and Promoting Philanthropy), $5,000.00, gives teens grantmaking responsibility over these dollars as they play the role of a grant distribution committee. This exercise is in conjunction with the Tipp City Chamber of Commerce’s Teen Leadership Academy in June 2021.
Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $1,600.00, hosts children’s book author and illustrator Will Hillenbrand in K-1 classes, to discuss the creative stages of making a book. Hillenbrand, who is dyslexic, recalls that learning to read was extremely difficult, but he has learned to express himself through his art. He is the author of over 70 books. This is a Youth of Tipp City Fund imo Sara Drexler and Jim and June Kyle Family Fund grant.
Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $670.00, partners K12 Gallery with high school French classes to learn about French Impressionism. This is a Youth of Tipp City Fund imo Sara Drexler grant.
Tipp City Public Library, $2,750.00, saddles up a book bike to put the library on the road. This extra effort can bring books and services to places like Liberty Commons, Tipp City Schools, and town events. This is an H. E. “Tiny” & Emma Drewing Fund and August Henke Comfort for the Needy Fund grant. Additional support from Wahl Family Fund advisors rounds out this request for a total of $3,000.00.
EDUCATION
Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $265.86, updates video production equipment for Design Thinking middle school students making commercial-grade productions. Videos support a collaboration between the students and ACCO, a company producing school supplies.
Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, award, purchases Scholastic Scope magazine for 7th grade readers. Tipp Giving Fund advisors awarded the entire grant request of $989.01.
Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, award, meets a need identified by high school counselors by purchasing calming objects and mindfulness games. Tipp Giving Fund advisors awarded the entire grant request of $616.96.
Tippecanoe STEM Education, Inc., $600.00, covers the cost of student registration fees to attend State Science Day.
ENVIRONMENT
Bethel Local Schools, $3,427.55, plants a school garden where a new 6th grade course, Principles of Food and Agriculture, will be taught. The outdoor classroom area provides sensory engagement for special needs students, hands-on learning of science and agriculture, and knowledge about nutrition. This is a Radle Family Fund for Science Education grant.
Tipp City Tree Advisory Board, $500.00, tags trees in public spaces with eco-value tags , which educate on the value of trees. Values include improved air quality, cooling
and shading, stormwater control, increased property values, and the intangible asset of beauty. This is an Outdoor Experiences Fund iho Abby Kessler Bowling grant.
RECREATION
Tipp City Enrichment Program, $1,800.00, enhances the summer activities offered to the children who attend this extended care program.
Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $2,000, takes fun outside with the purchase of two basketball hoops. This grant request was proposed by the Middle School Student Council.
Tipp Pride Association, $7,500.00, represents a payment towards the Foundation’s commitment of $75,000.00 to build a new stadium in City Park.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Miami County Dental Clinic, $5,000.00, nods to the importance of oral health by supporting lab and supply fees of the Dental Direct Program. Last year, 8,172 patients from Miami County used these services.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Bethel Hope, $1,000.00, assists citizens of Bethel Township and the surrounding areas in meeting basic needs during times of critical personal downturns. Needs met include food assistance, utility support, help with rent and pharmacy aid.
The deadline for 2Q grant submissions is June 1. Jim Ranft is available for your grant-related questions at 937-528-2482. Applications are available online at www.tippfoundation.org.
Since 1943, the Tipp City Foundation has awarded $2,428,638.44, through December 31, 2020. Members of the Foundation are Heather Bailey, Mary Bowman, Diana Featherstone, treasurer, Dee Gillis, president, Melissa Keller, Bruce McKenzie, Jim Ranft, vice president and distribution chair, Nathan Rentz, Claire Timmer, Jackie Wahl, secretary, Bill Wendel and Sarah Worley.
The Tipp City Foundation is a member fund of The Troy Foundation. If you would like information about how to make a tax-deductible contribution, please contact Heather Bailey at (937) 528-2482.
For more information visit www.tippfoundation.org or Tipp Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.