Nonprofit organizations secure more than $65,000 at Pitch Piqua
Edison State Community College wins top prize at charitable grant pitch event
The Piqua Community Foundation disbursed more than $65,000 in grant and pass-through community donations to the three Pitch Piqua finalist organizations at the charitable grant pitch competition March 2. The finalist teams presented to a crowd of enthusiastic attendees at The Fort Piqua Plaza Banquet Center.
The top-scoring organization, Edison State Community College, secured the $50,000 grant award for its proposed project. The other two finalist organizations, Upper Valley Career Center and Health Partners Free Clinic, were each awarded a $5,000 unrestricted award.
Edison State Community College, represented by Laura Larger, Criminal Justice Coordinator/Instructor, & Dr. Andy Runyan, Dean of Professional & Technical Programs, won the $50,000 top prize for their project Prepared at the event culminating the initiative. In addition, supporters donated more than $1,700 in pass-through donations to the organization.
Edison State’s project Prepared will help protect our community by providing equipment for our own cadets, law enforcement agencies, K-12 school staff, and staff from local businesses to train for an active intruder situation using scenarios created in virtual reality.
Upper Valley Career Center, represented by Tim Cordonnier, Instructional Supervisor, & Sara Plozay, Cosmetology Instructor/SkillsUSA Advisor, secured a $5,000 unrestricted grant and more than $800 in pass-through donations for their proposal to launch a mobile salon.
The Salon @ 8811 Beauty in Motion will be a mobile learning salon used in the community for students to provide services to people at no cost. Students will enhance their skills and community members will practice self-care, building their confidence and mental well-being.
Health Partners Free Clinic, represented by JoAnn Barhorst, Certified Nurse Practitioner, & Deborah Miller, Executive Director, won a $5,000 unrestricted grant and more than $2,500 in pass-through donations for their proposal.
Health Partners Free Clinic will save lives by providing high-quality breast and cervical cancer screenings. Patients will receive patient education and, if needed, referrals to specialists for treatment and follow-up care. All services will be provided at no cost to the patient.
The 2022-2023 Pitch Piqua community grant presentation event is made possible by the generosity of:
The French Oil Mill Machinery Company Fund,
The Richard Donnelly Personal Gifting Account &
Steven K. & Gail P. Staley
“We are so thankful for all of the sponsors, fundholders and volunteers who work to make Pitch Piqua an enjoyable evening for our community and a great opportunity for the three finalist teams. Pitch Piqua is all about building capacity within our nonprofit community, making a huge impact with Foundation assets and engaging the community around local philanthropy. We wish all three teams luck as they continue to pursue launching their projects!”
— Emily E. Shawler, president of The Piqua Community Foundation Board of Directors
Get to know this year’s teams better by watching videos about them!
You may also donate to The Piqua Community Foundation to support grant programs like Pitch Piqua with an unrestricted gift!