New grants boost housing, schools and safety in Richland County
Several competitive and field of interest grants were approved. Notable recipients include Habitat for Humanity of Richland and Crawford Counties, which received funding for the Building Futures Together initiative. This project is a collaboration with Pioneer Career & Technology Center aimed at expanding access to affordable housing while providing hands-on workforce training for local students. During the 2025–2026 academic year, Pioneer students will construct a new Habitat home in Shelby, creating opportunities for families in need and equipping students with valuable skills.
The City of Mansfield Police Department was awarded a grant for a Therapy K9 Team, which includes a canine named Charlie. Charlie will be assigned to the Mansfield Senior High School Resource Officer and will be part of the Community Police Unit. The Therapy K9 Team aims to support students, teachers and staff affected by trauma, fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the community.
The Lucas Community Center received a grant for rebuilding an outdoor deck and retaining wall for safety reasons. This deck serves as a gathering space and provides access to sand volleyball courts.
The North Central Ohio Land Conservancy was granted funds to expand its trail by a quarter mile, enhancing the Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail for hikers in southern Richland County.
The Richland Community Development Group received a grant for BrandRichland, a project under the Foundation's Mansfield Rising Plan. BrandRichland is a strategic marketing campaign designed to shift perceptions, build civic pride, and attract new residents, talent and investment to Richland County. The project is now in the implementation phase, launching campaigns that tell a cohesive story about the community.
The Board of Trustees also approved grants from donor advised funds, which allow individuals, families, and corporations to suggest grants to their preferred charities. This funding method offers a flexible and convenient alternative to private foundations, allowing for anonymous charitable contributions if desired.
The following organizations received grants from donor advised funds:
Denison University
Discovery School
Downtown Mansfield Inc.
First Congregational Church of Mansfield
Furniture Bank of North Central Ohio
Honey from the Rock LLC
Love on a Mission
Lucas Community Center
Mansfield Art Center
Mansfield Community Playhouse
North Central State College
Ohio Bird Sanctuary
Pioneer Career Technical Center
Pleasant Hill Outdoor Camp
Richland Academy of the Arts
Richland Carrousel Park
Richland Community Development Group
Richland Historical Society
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio
Shakespeare Company of Mansfield
Shalom Christian Missions
St. Paul Outreach Center
St. Peter's Parish
Taking Root Farms
Third Street Family Health Services
Wayfinders Ohio
Wayne Center for the Arts
Additionally, the Board of Trustees awarded seven scholarships to students attending career technical education schools. The Scholarship Committee has implemented a rolling deadline for CTE scholarships to align with various enrollment deadlines, supporting workforce development in Ohio.
This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland County grants support students, families and local pride
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