Author Archives: Michelle

The Piqua Community Foundation is accepting standard grant applications for its fall grant cycle through September 30.

The Foundation accepts project-based grant applications twice a year from nonprofit organizations serving Piqua residents with a mission that is religious, educational, scientific, literary or charitable in nature. Applicants must provide documentation demonstrating the organization’s 501(c)(3) or equivalent tax-exempt status.

The fall 2023 distribution is part of The Foundation’s semiannual grant cycles from unrestricted funds. The Foundation’s Distribution Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval based on the grant application and review process.

The Piqua Community Foundation’s grant program guidelines and application form can be found by visiting piquacommunityfoundation.org/grants. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines and then confirm their organization’s eligibility by emailing info@piquacommunityfoundation.org or calling 937.615.9080.

Edison State Community College’s Women in STEMM Expo, an initiative supported by The Piqua Community Foundation

The Piqua Community Foundation is recognizing 30 years of service to our community in 2023!

Our community is truly fortunate to have our own ultra-local foundation that has distributed more than $21 million in philanthropic support to help make Piqua an even better place to live.

The Foundation was founded in November of 1993 as numerous community members pooled their funds to launch the initial fund of The Foundation.

The Foundation now holds a variety of funds, ranging from donor-directed accounts for specific purposes, including scholarships, to unrestricted gifts that allow The Foundation to share project grants with local organizations.

The Foundation helps donors fulfill their charitable giving wishes through gifts of all sizes. You may visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/donate to help us carry on the legacy of philanthropy right here at home.

The Piqua Community Foundation awarded scholarships to several area high school graduates in the Class of 2023.

Scholarships through The Foundation are made possible by fund donors who value continuing education and wish to give back to the community. Each of the scholarships offered is distinct in its guidelines directed by the donor when the fund was established.

The following students were awarded scholarships through the respective funds detailed below.

The G. William Hartzell Charitable Fund Scholarship ($2,500 renewable)

The G. William Hartzell Charitable Fund makes scholarships to graduating high school seniors enrolling in a four-year program at a college or university.

• Mara Flood – Lehman Catholic High School
• Zoe Leasure – Piqua High School
• Sarah Lins – Lehman Catholic High School
• Thomas Schmiesing – Lehman Catholic High School

The Robert & Miriam Hartzell Scholarship ($2,500 renewable)

The Robert & Miriam Hartzell Scholarships are made each year to a graduate from each of the following high schools: Lehman Catholic, Miami East, Piqua and Troy.

• Isaac Beal – Miami East High School
• Livi Johnston – Troy High School
• McKenna Reindel – Piqua High School
• Thomas Schmiesing – Lehman Catholic High School

The Patricia L. Recker Memorial Fund Scholarship ($1,000 renewable)

The Patricia L. Recker Memorial Fund makes scholarships to graduating high school seniors enrolling in a two- or four-year program at a college or university.

• John Brunner, II – Lehman Catholic High School
• Matthew Galbreath – Lehman Catholic High School
• McKenna Reindel – Piqua High School

The Forever Code Strong AP Art Scholarship ($1,000 non-renewable)

This scholarship, exclusively for Piqua High School AP art students, was established in memory of Cody Coffman.

• Ivy Lee – Piqua High School

The Little Kinger Fund Athletic Scholarship ($1,000 non-renewable)

The Little Kinger Fund makes one scholarship available each year, to a young woman graduating from a Miami Valley high school who will be participating in an inter-collegiate level sports program in college.

• Abigail Welbaum – Troy High School

G. William Hartzell

Charitable organizations that serve Piqua residents are invited to apply for unrestricted funding from the G. William Hartzell Charitable Fund of The Piqua Community Foundation. The deadline for applications is August 1.

The G. William Hartzell Community Grant awards are made from the fund established by the late Bill Hartzell with a bequest from his estate. This fund also awards college scholarships each spring.

The grants are unique in the simplicity of the application process and the unrestricted nature of the funds to be spent however best serves the organization’s needs.

To learn about the grant guidelines and access the application, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/grants/hartzell.

Wilma’s Place

The Piqua Community Foundation awarded $67,684 to organizations that serve Piqua residents this month.

The distribution is part of The Foundation’s twice-annual standard grant cycles from unrestricted funds. The Foundation’s Distribution Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval based on a grant application and review process.

The organizations awarded 2023 spring grants are:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami Valley — MENTOR Piqua
• Elizabeth’s New Life Center — Earn While You Learn program
• Friends of Piqua Public Library — 10^th annual Holiday Cabaret
• Health Partners Free Clinic — women’s health clinic
• Isaiah’s Place Inc. — foster care recruitment
• Miami County Public Health — The Diaper Bank of Miami County
• Miami County YMCA — new facility campaign
• Miami Valley Veterans Museum — educational equipment improvement
• Piqua-Caldwell Historic District Association — self-guided walking tour signs
• Piqua Catholic School — new restroom stalls
• Piqua City Schools — kindergarten — All Kids Bike Piqua
• Piqua City Schools — Piqua Central Intermediate School — Community Days: Create-A-Book
• Piqua Compassion Network — signage for new offices
• Upper Miami Valley Young Life — summer camp
• Wayne’s Legion of Fort Piqua — History Alive at Fort Piqua
• Wilma’s Place — mattresses and bedding for cold shelter

Piqua City Schools

The grant awards were made in a variety of project sectors — from education to human service and from basic needs to access to medical care — all with a demonstrated impact on Piqua residents. Members of the Distribution Committee of The Foundation visited three recipients earlier this month to present the grant awards and learn more about their programs and needs.

Piqua-Caldwell Historic District Association

Members of the Piqua-Caldwell Historic District Association board accepted the organization’s first-ever grant award on May 10. Mary Frances Rodriguez, president of the board, said the district was registered with the National Trust of Historic Places in 1985 and it wasn’t until 2017 that the association was organized, later earning its 501(c)(3) designation. Until now, the association has funded projects through private donations and fundraising events.

The grant award from The Piqua Community Foundation will allow the organization to create a self-guided walking tour via signs with QR codes in the yards of featured properties to complement existing programs such as the Historic Holiday Tour hosted each December.

“The Piqua-Caldwell Historic District Association is grateful to be the recipient of our very first grant funded by The Piqua Community Foundation. Until now, our organization has been self-funded with voluntary support,” Rodriguez said. “With the self-guided walking tour in place, visitors can enjoy strolling the area at their leisure to enjoy learning about the rich history of Piqua and an unprecedented variety of architectural styles. To start, our self-guided walking tour will include 36 properties showcased in previous holiday tours with more to come in the future.”

The Piqua Community Foundation’s next grant cycle has a September 30 deadline. To learn more about the grant and scholarship programs of The Piqua Community Foundation, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/grants.

Pitch Piqua, March 2, 2023, at Fort Piqua Plaza Banquet Center

The Piqua Community Foundation announced today that it is pausing its Pitch Piqua charitable grant pitch competition while the Board of Directors and donors evaluate the initiative’s impact and funding support.

Since Pitch Piqua was launched in 2021, The Foundation has distributed more than $133,000 in grants and pass-through community donations to the six finalist organizations that participated in the initiative’s two seasons.

“We launched Pitch Piqua with two years of strong support and knew we would evaluate its effectiveness after that time,” said Emily E. Shawler, president of The Piqua Community Foundation Board of Directors. “We want to allow time for our top-scoring organizations who earned the $50,000 top grant awards over the past two years the opportunity to demonstrate the impact from their respective projects as we consider how The Foundation continues with Pitch Piqua or another initiative.”

2021-2022 Pitch Piqua finalist teams

2022-2023 Pitch Piqua finalist teams

Piqua Compassion Network secured the $50,000 grant award in the 2021-2022 initiative for The Power Project, which aims to create a center for teens to access basic needs resources, fitness and education. The top grant in the 2022-2023 initiative went to Edison State Community College, which will offer virtual reality equipment for law enforcement agencies and students, as well as community partners, to train for active intruder situations.

The three finalists of the Pitch Piqua program receive professional development training in project management and storytelling, as well as support from various Piqua community leaders as they prepare to make their pitch at a community event in March at Fort Piqua Plaza Banquet Center. The initiative also encourages community involvement through voting via pass-through donations to the finalist team of the donor’s choice.

Pitch Piqua, March 2, 2023, at Fort Piqua Plaza Banquet Center

“Pitch Piqua has truly embodied the love of our community and enthusiasm for local philanthropy we hoped it would!” Shawler said. “We appreciate the overwhelming support for this initiative and welcome feedback from our community as we evaluate Pitch Piqua’s future and other opportunities to continue to connect and serve our donors, nonprofit partners and the Piqua community.”

To learn more about Pitch Piqua, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/pitchpiqua. To share feedback with The Foundation regarding the initiative, email Executive Director Michelle Perry at michelle@piquacommunityfoundation.org.

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. The funding for the grant awards is supplied by The French Oil Mill Machinery Company Fund, The Richard Donnelly Personal Gifting Account, donors Steven K. & Gail P. Staley, and unrestricted funds of The Piqua Community Foundation.

“It was an incredible evening. I love the energy in the room and the way that the community rallies around these finalist teams, the amazing work that they’re already doing and their vision for more,” said Michelle Perry, executive director of The Piqua Community Foundation. “I’m blown away by the enthusiasm and love for our community that Pitch Piqua embodies.”

Edison State Community College, Koverman Staley Dickerson Insurance, Miami Valley Steel Service, Inc., Park National Bank and Premier Health | Upper Valley Medical Center sponsored the event that had an affordable ticket cost to maximize involvement in local philanthropy.

The 2023 Pitch Piqua judges were Andrew S. Monnin, Jeff Pedro Jr., Rebecca Sousek and Amy Welker. They evaluated the project concepts on their impact on Piqua residents, evidence of a demonstrated community need, readiness for launch, sustainability of the project and quality of the presentation.

The community acted as the collective fifth judge as supporters voted for their favorite project(s) with a pass-through donation of $10 or more. In all, the organizations earned more than $5,100 in pass-through funds to support their mission.

Students in the Region 3 Business Professionals of America program, under the direction of Dara Hardyman, acted as the Tally Team to calculate the scores and donations.

“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

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.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to pitch our project and humbled that we were chosen from among the projects that are all deserving of support from the community,” the team said. “Edison State’s training for future police officers and sheriff’s deputies will be more engaging and will better prepare them for critical situations they may face. We will work to offer that same level of excellent training to our partners in local law enforcement agencies, schools and organizations.”

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.

“Pitch Piqua was an incredible event! We can honestly say that every proposal would make a significant impact on the community and surrounding areas!” the team said. “Congratulations to Edison State Community College and Health Partners Free Clinic! It has been amazing to work with you. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our story and passion to make a positive impact on the community. A huge thank you to The Piqua Community Foundation for this amazing opportunity!”

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.

“Health Partners was privileged to participate in the Pitch Piqua competition this year. We can never thank The Piqua Community Foundation, the other team members, our staff and donors enough for all the tremendous support throughout the entire process,” the team said. “We didn’t win the pitch this year, but this process has strengthened our resources and our team in preparation for the time when we do open a women’s health clinic.”

The Foundation will remain a partner with these organizations as they continue to seek community support for their projects.

To learn more about the Pitch Piqua presenters and the initiative of The Piqua Community Foundation, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/pitchpiqua.

The Piqua Community Foundation presented three local volunteers with The Scott J. Hinsch and Margaret W. Hinsch Community Service Awards on Monday.

The following volunteers received the awards in surprise presentations:

• Russell Fashner, Friends of the Piqua Parks
• Krista Abernathy, St. James Episcopal Church
• Adele Penrod, Piqua Parents as Teachers

The recipients received a glass plaque to commemorate the occasion, and the nominating nonprofit agency received a $2,000 unrestricted grant from The Hinsch Family Fund of The Piqua Community Foundation, in recognition of that outstanding volunteer. The Hinsch awards are offered annually, typically to one male and one female volunteer. The committee chose two Margaret W. Hinsch awardees this year among a competitive field of nominees.

Scott J. & Margaret W. Hinsch

Cari Beth Noah and 11-year-old Jack Noah, granddaughter and great-grandson of the awards’ namesakes, respectively, presented the awards to recognize their legacy of service to the Piqua community. Cari Beth Noah also represented her parents, John and Marsha Hinsch, and her aunt, Dr. Linda Hinsch Campbell, who founded the fund and were unable to attend the presentations.

“The Hinsch family and The Hinsch Family Fund committee are touched by this year’s awardees’ contributions to their respective organizations in 2022,” John Hinsch said. “We are inspired by the incredible dedication of these volunteers to rally around their community. We are so humbled to share these awards in memory of my parents who loved and served Piqua all their lives.”

The Scott J. Hinsch Community Service Award winner – G. Russell Fashner

G. Russell Fashner, Friends of the Piqua Parks

Ruth A. Koon, president of Friends of the Piqua Parks, nominated Fashner for his efforts to renovate the concession area at Pitsenbarger Park in 2022. Fashner drew up the construction plans, secured the necessary permits and coordinated concrete work.

The nomination included a letter of support from Amy Welker, assistant city manager for the City of Piqua.

“Having this newly renovated space for gathering will showcase the community pride in Piqua and will be a welcoming area to our out-of-town guests,” Welker wrote. “Russ exemplifies this type of pride in our community, and his efforts surely deserve to be recognized.”

The Margaret W. Hinsch Community Service Award winner – Krista Abernathy

Krista Abernathy, St. James Episcopal Church

Barney Littlejohn, treasurer/vestry for St. James Episcopal Church, nominated Abernathy for working every weekday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and coordinating the many projects of the church as the volunteer secretary. Abernathy creates publications, coordinates winter accessory and sock distributions, taught arts and crafts to the congregation’s children and coordinated the little library and little pantry boxes outside of the church.

“Her creative efforts in the several programs above ensured that St. James had a Piqua presence in the downtown area each and every day of 2022,” Littlejohn wrote in his nomination. “St. James is very grateful for Krista’s time and talent.”

The Margaret W. Hinsch Community Service Award winner – Adele Penrod

Adele Penrod, Piqua Parents as Teachers

Kathy Booher and Kim Lawson, directors of Piqua Parents as Teachers, nominated Penrod, who served as the first director of the organization and now volunteers her time on the board of directors. In 2022, Penrod coordinated two quarter auction fundraisers, helped to relocate the office and playroom, and served as a spokesperson for the organization’s programs.

The nomination included a letter of support from Cheryl Buecker, who serves on the Piqua Parents as Teachers board with Penrod.

“Her strengths as a board member are numerous as she continues to support every part of the program,” Buecker wrote. “She continues to be a guiding light.”

The Hinsch Family Fund committee, the nominators and family members of the awardees presented the awards Monday. To watch livestream videos and view more photos from the awards presentations, visit The Piqua Community Foundation’s Facebook page.

For more information about The Piqua Community Foundation and The Scott J. Hinsch and Margaret W. Hinsch Community Service Awards, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/hinsch.

Fourth-grade students at Piqua Catholic School using an interactive white board supported by a grant from The Foundation

The Piqua Community Foundation is accepting standard grant applications for its spring grant cycle through March 31.

The Foundation accepts project-based grant applications twice a year from nonprofit organizations serving Piqua residents with a mission that is religious, educational, scientific, literary or charitable in nature. Applicants must provide documentation demonstrating the organization’s 501(c)(3) or equivalent tax-exempt status.

The spring 2023 distribution is part of The Foundation’s semiannual grant cycles from unrestricted funds. The Foundation’s Distribution Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval based on the grant application and review process.

The Piqua Community Foundation’s grant program guidelines and application form can be found by visiting piquacommunityfoundation.org/grants. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines and then confirm their organization’s eligibility by emailing info@piquacommunityfoundation.org or calling 937.615.9080.

The Piqua Community Foundation has opened its 2023 scholarship season and welcomes applications from local students.

Scholarships through The Foundation are made possible by fund donors who value continuing education and wish to give back to the community. Each of the scholarships offered is distinct in its guidelines directed by the donor when the fund was established.

“We are proud to serve as the conduit for the several scholarship programs we administer,” said Foundation Executive Director Michelle Perry. “In 2022, The Foundation distributed $126,000 in scholarship awards in support of local students furthering their education.”

Scholarship information is available through local schools’ guidance counselors or by visiting piquacommunityfoundation.org/scholarships. Questions about The Foundation’s scholarship programs may be directed to info@piquacommunityfoundation.org or 937.615.9080.