Members of the Oak House enjoy a Lake Erie fishing trip, thanks to a grant from the Ottawa County Community Foundation. The Oak House is a psycho-social rehabilitation center in a clubhouse environment serving area adults.

The Ottawa County Community Foundation (OCCF) has awarded more than $40,000 to 26 local non-profit organizations through its 2020 community grants program. The Foundation grants help to support and recognize the work of many organizations that are meeting pressing social needs in the community and conducting effective programs throughout Ottawa County.

This year, in lieu of the traditional OCCF Grant Awards Breakfast, which was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on large gatherings, the organizations receiving grant awards were notified by mail.

The OCCF applauds each organization’s efforts and recognizes those projects and programs that received grant funds for 2020-2021. The non-profit organizations that were awarded grants, and a description of how the funds will be used in the coming year, include:

Bistro 163 — Identify and serve more food insecure people; Boy Scouts, Harris Elmore Library — Landscaping for Harris-Elmore Library Eagle Scout project; Cancer Services of Erie County — Patient resources and support services for cancer patients; Cultivate the Clover of Ottawa County — 4-H camp counselor training program for teens; Engaging Opportunities Foundation — Electrical upgrades to Christy’s Corner Café in Elmore; Firelands Symphony Orchestra — Free Summer Ensemble Concerts in the Port Clinton area; Friends of Port Clinton Parks — Handicapped accessible sidewalks in Lakeview Park; Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County — Safety equipment to protect employees and volunteers; Jacob’s Joy — Retreat for women experiencing pregnancy loss; Joyful Connections — Laptops and Chromebooks for staff to aid in safety and security; Light House Sober Living — Sober activities to promote healthy living; Magruder Hospital Foundation — Celebrate Community, a wellness event; Musical Arts Series — Concerts for residents of six senior residential facilities; Oak Harbor Log Cabin Association — Log Cabin Summer Concerts in Oak Harbor; Oak House — Fishing trip for Oak House members; Ottawa County Juvenile Court — After-school activities program for 10-17-year-old youth; Ottawa County Museum — Expand capacity and improve security, public-use computers; Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office — Law Enforcement Awareness Program (LEAP); Ottawa Co. Task Force on Aging — Senior Resource Guide 2020-202; Otterbein Marblehead — It’s Never 2 Late (iN2L) technology for social activities; Pathway Inclusion Center — Outdoor playground; Port Clinton Fire Fighters Association — Lifepak 15 cardiac monitor; Port Clinton Music Boosters — Port Clinton High Schools Marching Band — replacement uniforms; Riverview Industries — Revitalize building for community friendly environment; St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry — Gift certificates for dairy products; United Way of Ottawa County — Back-to-School backpacks for children.

Funding for these grants was made possible from the earnings of several unrestricted Community Funds and a Donor Advised Fund held by the Ottawa County Community Foundation. These include the Kenneth and Naomi Akins Family Fund, Bob and Grace Armbruster Fund, Earl J. Johnson Fund, OCCF Fund, Lenore Peterson-Blackburn Fund, Dr. James I. and Priscella Rhiel Fund, Paul H. Rofkar Community Needs Fund, Harry Stensen Memorial Fund, Dave and Jeanne Thierwechter Fund, and Joseph and Eleanor Kokinda Fund.

Several local donations were also received in support of the community grant program. The Foundation annually supports a variety of charitable programs and projects designed to address current and emerging needs of local residents in the fields of education, social services, physical and mental health, safe and positive living environment, natural resources and the arts.

In 2019, the Ottawa County Community Foundation distributed more than $483,000 in grants and scholarships. Since its beginning in 1999, OCCF has distributed more $5.4 million. It ended the year with assets of $8.8 million. For more information about grants and scholarships, or to get updates about the Community Foundation, visit ottawaccf.org.