30-03-2025
Scioto Foundation makes progress possible
There is an abundance of nonprofits accomplishing massive feats in the area, hosting massive events and festivals, developing parks and public spaces and more. While a lot of the positivity that happens starts with a lot of fundraising, grant writing and generous donors, most accomplishments are possible thanks to support from the Scioto Foundation, which offers scholarships, grants and holds endowments.
2024 was a great year for the organization from the start, as the organization entered its 50th anniversary, having received their IRS determination letter May 30, 1974.
An anniversary banner year 2024 was, too, with 20 new funds started. The Foundation stated 12 of these funds were scholarships, one was a designated fund, five organizational endowments, and two donor advised funds.
The Scioto Foundation received a total of $2,976,199 in donations last year. $209,800, or 7 percent, of which was received during Scioto Gives alone. They also celebrated 177 first-time donors.
Of course, the organization didn't only receive money. It also awarded 68 grants in 2024, with an overall value of $525,299. According to the Foundation, the average grant award was $7,724.99, the maximum award was $50,000 and the smallest was $1,255.
Most of their grants are awarded during quarterly grant cycles, where community arts receive funding, local beautification and event hosts are supported, social service programs with endowments receive assistance and more.
'Each year, the Scioto Foundation receives around 70 grant applications and typically funds 80 percent of them either partially or in full, depending on the amount requested and the amounts available for distribution,' Executive Director Kim Cutlip said. 'If grants are rejected, our scholarship and grant coordinator, Ginnie Moore, is always willing help applicants with future grant requests.'
Grants will only be made to organizations having recognition under section 501©3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
The funding cannot be used for administrative support, unless it comes from a specific endowment that allows for that usage.
Typically, the Foundation supports projects within the realms of education, healthcare, community development, economic development, arts and culture, social services and civic benefit. Additionally, these proposed projects must not have been already completed before application; they do not allow for reimbursement.
Applicants must also attach supporting documents of tax-exempt status, financial documents, and more. These supporting document requirements can also be found on their website. For a full list of rules, regulations, tips and notes, visit the Scioto Foundation website at This is also where you'll find grant applications.
An application must come with five copies of the grant, along with the original, which is due to the Scioto Foundation on quarterly dates of March 31, June 30, Sept. 30, and Dec. 31.
Scholarships are an important element of the foundation's identity, and they continued handing out plenty in their 50th year. Many of these funds are started by families and friends of loved ones in their honor and the students benefiting from these funds keep their spirit alive by accomplishing work or educating themselves in a topic that was important to the scholarship's namesake. 665 individual scholarships were awarded totaling $836,313. UCAN scholarships represented 13 percent of the total or $106,230.
The foundation also received 718 vouchers and made $1,675.230.99 in total grant payments, ending the year with assets of $64,440,799.
'2024 was another wonderful year for the Scioto Foundation and we look forward to having the same in 2025. Thank you to our many donors, local schools, nonprofits, committee members, and of course our terrific board for all their contributions to the Foundation and our community,' Cutlip said. 'Last, but not least, thank you to the hard work of team Scioto Foundation. We are a small but might group of dedicated people that care deeply about our community.'
