Latest news with #SciotoFoundation
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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.'
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MSPiB planting more seeds into the future
Main Street Portsmouth In Bloom is a non-profit powerhouse that makes investments and improvements in the community, with a primary goal of focusing in the downtown area, through beautification, placemaking, and events. The group is used to taking on new projects and experiencing growth years and Executive Director Emily Uldrich says last year was no different. '2024 was a growth year for us and we are so excited about what we've been able to accomplish,' Uldrich explained. 'We are grateful for our dedicated volunteers. We had over 100 individuals volunteer with our program in 2024 and we could not have made these strides without them.' One of the areas of massive growth for the nonprofit was the Annual Main Street Portsmouth in Bloom Farmers Market on the Esplanade, which runs May through October. 'We were thrilled with the 2024 farmers market season,' Uldrich said. 'Of course, I have to give all credit to the vendors, because, without the quality of vendor goods, including produce, baked goods, canned goods and crafts, the market would not be what it is. We are proud to display the bounty of culture within our region and all of our amazing entrepreneurs.' The group offered farmers market awards for the first time last year, had a larger footprint of vendors than ever before, hosted many themed visitor days, and more. Uldrich says they're looking at ways to expand the event even more in 2025, and some ideas are already set in stone. 'We are looking forward to expanding our farmers market voucher program with the help of the Scioto Foundation. We were awarded a Scioto 365 grant, which will double the number of vouchers we will be able to give out. Our Healthy Bucks program expansion will not only provide healthy food to people but it will invest that money back into local business owner pockets that goes back into the economy.' Another area of growth for the organization included expansions to the non-profits pocket park, 535 on Second. The park was completed years ago, behind the façade of a collapsed building. The organization received ownership, cleared out trees and weeds, secured the façade, paved the space, added garden beds, steel features, furniture and accomplished a lot in turning it into a space the community has fallen in love with. It has been used for engagements, weddings, parties, and everyday use. An expansion in the rear of the property had been planned just before Uldrich stepped into her role and she worked with Sue Burke to get it done in 2024. The expansion doubles the size of the park and adds a sensory garden feature. In 2025, the group finalized the fencing around the park and is ready to finalize the expansion. 'The expansion to 535 on Second came after we were sent to a conference in St. Louis and saw a section within an arboretum that was a sensory garden,' Burke said. 'We loved what they accomplished with the space and had been considering what to do with the rest of the property, so we got to work making it happen. It feels great to be moving so fast on the project, now with pavement, flower beds, and a gate. We are looking forward to planting it again this year.' Burke said the sensory garden appeals to many and it is a unique experience for those in the area. 'The sensory garden is unique and wonderful to all, but we were very happy to have an opening last year with the Scioto County Board of DD, which is a big fraction of the community that can relax and enjoy the garden through different senses in a quiet space,' Burke explained. Of course, the work for MSPiB is never done, even at 535 on Second and Burke says more is always to come. 'We look forward to continuing to give the space new life, putting in new gardens and flowers, and decorating it for the various seasons,' Burke said. 'It has been such a peaceful place that so many have fallen in love with.' The group continued many of its events and features throughout the year and closed 2024 by examining applicants for the Building Improvement Grant Program, making awards. Uldrich said the organization made awards last month and said that, 'Our Building Improvement Grant winners this year are Grace Community Church at Bigelow for $10,000 for the repair of the historic brick chimneys on their roof, $7,500 to the Columbia for façade repairs and restoration, and $7,500 to DW Rentals, which was the Euton Building on Sixth Street.' The board of directors, executive director and volunteers are ready to carry the organization into another busy year of success. 'Main Street Portsmouth in Bloom is thrilled about the start of 2025,' Uldrich said. 'We had a successful Ellen Vetter Memorial Chocolate Walk with 30 participating downtown businesses and 300 community members walking. We just held our Annual Celebrate Portsmouth Dinner, where we honored our outstanding volunteers of 2024. We had three winners from our Design Committee, better known as the Flower Girls, which included Mimi Clausing, Jackie Lucero and Jani Sturgell. From our Promotions and Events Committee, we honored Sharon Bender. As we work into 2025, we are expanding our collaborations and partnering with the Portsmouth Scioto County Visitor's Bureau, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Shawnee State Park, Scioto Soil and Water Conservation District and the OSU extension office to bring a series of events for the nature of the area that connects downtown. The first was the bald eagle viewing event, which had over 100 people in attendance. We're looking forward to the next event, which is on native pollinating plants in June.' Stay updated on MSPiB by following them on social media and online at
