Author Archives: Michelle

The Piqua Community Foundation awarded $65,650 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 2022 spring grants are:

Bethany Center – blessing food box

The Edison Foundation – biology structural models

The Edison Foundation – Edison State Charger Stations

The Edison Foundation – EMT, nursing & paramedic IV hand models

Friends of the Piqua Parks – repair of baseball/softball area at Pitsenbarger Sports Complex

Friends of the Piqua Public Library – plaster bust of William H. Pitsenbarger

Miami County YMCA – new facility campaign

Piqua Catholic School – Regulating Our Bodies materials

Piqua City Schools – Piqua Central Intermediate School – Draw Your Destiny assembly

Piqua City Schools – Piqua Central Intermediate School – garden mulching project

Piqua City Schools – Piqua High School – William H. Pitsenbarger mural project

Piqua Neighborhood Improvement Corporation – Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Piqua Police Department – Piqua Careful Corners

SafeHaven, Inc. – vocational readiness

St. James Episcopal Church – little pantry

Young Life – summer camp fundraisers

The grant awards were made to a variety of organization service sectors, all with a demonstrated impact on Piqua residents. Chief Rick Byron said that the grant received by the Piqua Police Department will allow the purchase of supplies to continue to efficiently offer the Careful Corners program to local youth.

Piqua Police Department – Careful Corners program

“With support from The Piqua Community Foundation grant, the Piqua Police Department will be able to rejuvenate the Careful Corners Program for Piqua children entering kindergarten in the fall,” Byron said. “Grant funding will help to purchase a street scene tarp and other equipment for the program. Thank you for your generous grant for our Careful Corners program.”

Piqua Neighborhood Improvement Corp. – Neighbors Helping Neighbors

SafeHaven, Inc. – vocational readiness

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.

Apply by July 28 for charitable grant competition with $50,000 top prize

The Piqua Community Foundation is proud to announce that applications are open for the second year of Pitch Piqua. This initiative is a charitable grant pitch competition with a $50,000 top prize for nonprofit organizations with a project benefiting Piqua.

“Pitch Piqua is an ultra-local grant competition that promotes local philanthropy and supports our community’s nonprofit sector,” said Emily Shawler, Foundation president and Resource Committee chairwoman. “We are thrilled to launch our second year of the initiation after a stellar inaugural program.”

The audience cheers as Piqua Compassion Network is presented the $50,000 award at the inaugural Pitch Piqua in March at Fort Piqua Plaza Banquet Center. Applications for the 2022-2023 initiative are now open. Details are available at piquacommunityfoundation.org/pitchpiqua.

Applications — simple narratives describing the project idea and the community need it meets — are accepted now through July 28. Ideas are developed as a partnership between each of the three finalist organizations selected and The Foundation in the months leading up to the public event. Finalists work with Foundation staff on project scope, budgeting, capacity-building and storytelling presentation skills through this time.

The finalists then present their concepts at a community event on March 2, 2023, to a panel of judges who will decide the same day which organization wins the $50,000 award for its presented project. The other two finalist organizations will each be awarded a $5,000 unrestricted award. The funding for the grant awards is supplied by the fundholders of The Foundation. All finalists will also be eligible for pass-through designated donations made by community members.

The project concepts will be evaluated on their impact on Piqua residents, evidence of a demonstrated community need, readiness for launch, sustainability of the project and quality of the presentation.

To find the guidelines and application instructions, learn about the 2021-2022 finalist organizations and learn how Pitch Piqua will benefit our community, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/pitchpiqua.

Piqua Compassion Network wins top prize at charitable grant pitch event

Piqua Compassion Network team Rebecca Sousek, Chloe Clark & Caleb Patton and Foundation Executive Director Michelle Perry

The Piqua Community Foundation disbursed more than $68,000 in grant and pass-through community donations to the three Pitch Piqua finalist organizations at the charitable grant pitch competition March 3. The finalist teams presented to a crowd of an estimated 300 energetic attendees at The Fort Piqua Plaza Banquet Center.

“There is one thing I am sure of — I am proud to be from Piqua!” said Emily E. Shawler, president of The Piqua Community Foundation Board of Directors. “I am so grateful to everyone who came to the event and supported all three of our finalist groups. All three groups’ big ideas were worthy of winning the $50,000 grant. I look forward to seeing the success of the Piqua Compassion Network’s Power Project and hope all three projects will move forward!”

Foundation Executive Director Michelle Perry, Child Care Choices, Inc. team, Piqua City Schools team and Piqua Compassion Network team

The top-scoring organization, Piqua Compassion Network, secured the $50,000 grant award for its proposed project. The other two finalist organizations, Piqua City Schools and Child Care Choices, Inc., 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, The G. William Hartzell Charitable Fund and unrestricted funds of The Piqua Community Foundation.

Donors Lt Col Daniel P. French, USAFR, Ret & Margaret L. French

“Launching a new initiative is a leap of faith for an organization,” said Michelle Perry, executive director of The Piqua Community Foundation. “Pitch Piqua is possible because our Board of Directors and fundholders saw the vision and wholeheartedly put their support behind it. They understand that making an investment of this size will have dividends for years to come in strengthening our community.”

Edison State Community College, 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 2022 Pitch Piqua judges were Amanda Brown, Timothy Risner, Jim Sever and Kathy Sherman. 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.

2022 Pitch Piqua judges (l-r) Amanda Brown, Timothy Risner, Jim Sever & Kathy Sherman

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 $8,000 in pass-through funds to support their mission.

The Edison State Community College accounting program students, under the direction of instructors Sandra Streitenberger and Holly Stewart, acted as the Tally Team to calculate the scores and donations.

Piqua Compassion Network, represented by Executive Director Rebecca Sousek & volunteers Chloe Clark & Caleb Patton, won the $50,000 top prize for The Power Project at the event culminating the inaugural initiative. In addition, supporters donated more than $5,100 in pass-through donations to the organization.

The Power Project will create a safe and inviting center for all teens at the Mote Park community building through a partnership with the City of Piqua and private partners. The center will provide teens access to basic needs resources and use fitness and education to give teens power over their physical, mental and social health.

“We are so grateful for this opportunity from The Piqua Community Foundation and all of the sponsors for making this event happen. It was truly a night to remember, and The Power Project will be forever thankful,” said the Piqua Compassion Network team.

Piqua City Schools, represented by Directors of Curriculum Teresa Anderson & Scott Bloom, won a $5,000 unrestricted grant and nearly $1,600 in pass-through donations for their proposal.

The school district seeks to increase the impact of its bookmobile program by purchasing a new van outfitted with bookshelves and displays for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning tools to bring learning to children’s neighborhoods and at community events.

“When you hear people say ‘everyone’s a winner,’ it is true in this case! Each group benefited from the experience, but most importantly our community will be better as a result of the generosity and creativity of The Piqua Community Foundation Pitch Piqua grant!” said the Piqua City Schools team.

Child Care Choices, Inc., represented by Co-Directors Jenny Fox & Renee Matsunami, won a $5,000 unrestricted grant and nearly $1,500 in pass-through donations for their proposal.

The organization seeks to bolster the child care workforce in Piqua to open additional spots for children, allowing their parents/caregivers to work. The proposal laid out the economic development benefits of increasing child care capacity and serving centers and preschools with shared resources.

“Pitch Piqua was an incredible journey of discovery, soul searching, prioritizing and focusing in on our mission. The people we met, the learning process for creating our pitch, and the experience of working with The Piqua Community Foundation and other finalists was transformative for our agency,” said the Child Care Choices, Inc. team.

The Foundation will remain a partner with these organizations as they continue to seek community support for their projects. Additionally, The Foundation invites nonprofit leaders to think of their own big ideas for the next Pitch Piqua cycle, with an application deadline of July 28, 2022.

To learn more and to watch the videos of the Pitch Piqua presentations, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/pitchpiqua.

The Piqua Community Foundation announced today that tickets are now on sale for its Pitch Piqua community grant presentations on March 3 as the three finalist organizations compete for the $50,000 top prize.

The three finalist organizations presenting at the initiative’s culminating event are, left to right:

• Piqua City Schools, represented by Directors of Curriculum Scott Bloom & Teresa Anderson
• Piqua Compassion Network, represented by Executive Director Rebecca Sousek & volunteers Caleb Patton & Chloe Clark
• Child Care Choices, Inc., represented by Co-Directors Renee Matsunami & Jenny Fox

The finalist teams have been developing their concepts alongside The Foundation since the summer of 2021. Topics covered include project scope, budgeting, capacity-building and storytelling presentation skills.

The finalist teams are now ready to present their concepts at a community event from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2022, at the Fort Piqua Plaza Banquet Center. Event tickets are $20 and include event entry, hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets for the cash bar.

“We hope to fill Fort Piqua Plaza with community members who support these organizations and our community,” said Emily Shawler, Foundation president and Resource Committee chairwoman. “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. This event is the high-energy, feel-good community gathering we all need right now. You don’t want to miss it!”

The teams will present to a crowd of supportive community members as well as a panel of four in-person judges representing various sectors of our community. All finalists will also be eligible for pass-through designated donations made by community members, who collectively act as the fifth judge.

“The three finalist teams have been hard at work since last summer on their project concepts and are ready to share their big ideas with our community,” said Foundation Executive Director Michelle Perry. “And while there are big dollars at stake in this competition, we know that local philanthropy is for everyone. Any pass-through donation of $10 or more to the finalist organization of your choice counts as a vote for their success. You can help decide who wins the grand prize!”

The judges will evaluate 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 top-scoring organization will secure the $50,000 grant award for their proposed project. The other two finalist organizations will each be awarded a $5,000 unrestricted award. The funding for the grant awards is supplied by the fundholders of The Foundation.

To purchase event tickets, vote for your favorite finalist organization(s) and to learn more about how Pitch Piqua and The Piqua Community Foundation benefit our community, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/pitchpiqua.

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 2022 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 recognized these organizational representatives receiving grant awards for programs serving Piqua residents in its spring and fall cycles in 2021. They were acknowledged at The Foundation’s annual meeting on November 9.

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.

Upper Miami Valley Young Life

The Piqua Community Foundation’s annual giving campaign is now active.

Gifts made through The Foundation’s annual giving campaign support the unrestricted funds for our spring and fall grant cycles, as well as special projects. In 2021, The Foundation has distributed more than $138,000 through unrestricted grant awards.

“We are so thankful for The Piqua Community Foundation’s generous support to cover the cost of our volunteer’s attendance at the Ohio CASA Conference this fall. This conference delivers quality training that covers all of the required training hours for our 50 CASA volunteers advocating for more than 190 abused and neglected children in Miami County each year.

When our volunteers give so much of their time and energy to protect the best interest of children in difficult situations, it isa blessing for them to not have to pay for the conference that allows them to continue as volunteer advocates. So far this year, 46% of the children served by our program are from Piqua, and we are proud to partner with The Piqua Community Foundation to make a difference for these children.”

—  Nikki Sherck, executive director of CASA/GAL of Miami County, Inc.

CASA/GAL of Miami County, Inc.

Your contributions at work serving Piqua

• More than $18.3 million given from The Foundation since its founding in 1993!
• More than $628,000 distributed in 2020 through grants and scholarships!
• More than $138,000 in 2021 grants to local organizations and schools made through unrestricted donations like this annual campaign!

Please consider a gift to The Foundation by visiting our Donate page or mailing a check to P.O. Box 226, Piqua, OH 45356.

When you share with us, we share with many.

Piqua Parents as Teachers — Averie Zweibel, age 3

The Piqua Community Foundation recently awarded grants from the Donnelly Advised Fund totaling $22,700 to 18 organizations that serve Piqua residents.

Richard Donnelly established the Donnelly Advised Fund, along with others at The Foundation, in 2008. The grant award decisions are made by a donor-appointed committee annually based upon community needs; there is no application process.

“The committee and I enjoy meeting in the fall each year to determine how best to utilize the fund to serve the Piqua community,” Donnelly said. “The awards we make represent a broad range projects that benefit Piqua residents and improve our community. It’s a true pleasure to share from the advised fund each year.”

The organizations receiving 2021 Donnelly Advised grants are:

• American Legion Post 184 for the Veterans Elite Tribute Squad
• American Legion Post 184 Ambulance Fund
• The Bethany Center
• The Edison Foundation for the nursing scholarship
• Forest Hill Cemetery Fund of The Piqua Community Foundation
• Greene Street Church food pantry
• The Little Kinger Fund of The Piqua Community Foundation
• MainStreet Piqua
• Miami County Dental Clinic
• Miami County YMCA
• Piqua Arts Council
• Piqua Area Chamber Foundation for The Garden Tribe Schoolyard Garden
• Piqua Civic Band
• Piqua Compassion Network
• Protecting Our Water Ways
• Salvation Army for the needs bank and summer feeding program
• Upper Miami Valley Young Life
• YWCA Piqua

Jeff Lange of Protecting Our Water Ways (POWW) said that the support of the Donnelly Advised Fund is used to cover programmatic expenses such as vehicle registration, insurance, maintenance, fuel and supplies to orchestrate successful sweeps of local waters.

“In 18 years, POWW volunteers have removed over 198,250 pounds of trash and have worked over 12,500 community man hours,” Lange said. “Thanks to Mr. Donnelly, The Piqua Community Foundation, local businesses, our sponsors, and POWW volunteers, our citizens can enjoy much cleaner waters!”

Protecting Our Water Ways is one of 18 local organizations to receive a grant award from the Donnelly Advised Fund of The Piqua Community Foundation this fall. Here, members of the POWW A Team work on the Great Miami River during one of its river cleanups.

The Piqua Community Foundation Life Trustees honored members of the Board of Directors at the organization’s annual meeting on November 9.

Steven K. Staley, president, and Emily E. Shawler, incoming president

Emily E. Shawler, incoming board president, recognized Steven K. Staley who has served as the president of The Foundation for 2020 and 2021 and thanked him for his leadership through a transition period for the organization.

Staley shared his year-end comments with the audience, including the continued growth of The Foundation thanks to donors who allow for the organization’s continued support of charitable organizations serving Piqua residents. Shawler highlighted programs on the horizon for The Foundation, including the new Pitch Piqua charitable grant pitch initiative with the community event on March 3, 2022.

The Life Trustees also re-elected five incumbent directors and elected one new director (identified with an asterisk) who will serve three-year terms beginning January 1, 2022:

• Bryant W. Fox
• Lt Col Daniel P. French, USAFR, Ret
• Stephanie A. Gunter
• Trenton Karn*
• Randi M. Pearson
• Tony Wendeln

Stacy P. Scott, retiring board member, with Steven K. Staley, president

Additionally, Stacy P. Scott was recognized as a retiring board member who served the organization for 18 years, including two years as the board president. Jack L. Neuenschwander was recognized as retiring legal counsel for The Foundation, a role he’s filled since the organization’s inception in 1993.

Also at the annual meeting, Foundation leaders honored 2021 standard grant recipients in The Foundation’s spring and fall grant cycles.

Organizational representatives receiving grant awards in The Piqua Community Foundation’s 2021 grant cycles

Vickie Kirk, MBA, MT(ASCP), medical laboratory technician, phlebotomy and CLA director and associate professor of health sciences at Edison State Community College

Dr. Doreen Larson, president, and Vickie Kirk, associate professor, of Edison State Community College presented to the audience. Larson shared the impact The Foundation has had on the institution over many years of support. Kirk presented about the spring 2021 award that allowed her to purchase molecular testing equipment for the medical laboratory technician program and the growth of the program in recent years.

To see the full Board of Directors list, view Foundation grant recipients and learn more about The Foundation’s programs, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org.

The Piqua Community Foundation awarded $62,917 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 Piqua Community Foundation delivered fall grant awards on November 8 to organizations that serve Piqua residents. Pictured here is the grant award delivery at Greene Street Daycare & Preschool with, from left, Debbie Frazier, director of the center, and Jim Sever and Randi Pearson, Foundation Distribution Committee co-chairs. The fall 2021 grant award helped to fund a new fire door at the center to keep children safe.

The organizations awarded 2021 fall grants are:

• Arbogast Performing Arts Center – emergency AED equipment
• CASA/GAL of Miami County Inc. – CASA Caring Tree
• The Center for Early Learning at Piqua Catholic – gross motor equipment
• Dr. E. Robert Torrence Medical Benovolence Fund – Torrence Medical Benevolence Fund
• Forest Hill Cemetery & Arboretum – trash receptacle replacement program
• Friends of the Piqua Public Library – Holiday Cabaret
• Girl Scouts of Western Ohio – Piqua Girl Scouts financial assistance
• GIVE Medical Ministry – knee walkers and overbed tables
• Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley – Piqua Adult Day Support activity boxes & technology
• Greene Street Daycare & Preschool – fire door replacement
• Health Partners Free Clinic – certification for psychiatry services
• Isaiah’s Place Inc. – Christmas for kids
• Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County – volunteer program support
• Piqua Catholic School – window security
• Piqua City Schools – Piqua Central Intermediate School – Improving Math Facts One Step at a Time
• Piqua City Schools – Washington Primary – first-grade STEM brain bins
• RT Industries – service area improvement project
• Upper Valley Career Center – scrubs for students
• Upper Valley Medical Center Foundation – Special Care Nursery renovation

The grant awards were made to a variety of organization service sectors, all with a demonstrated impact on Piqua residents. One award was made to Greene Street Daycare & Preschool to support the replacement of a fire door to maintain the safety of the children served.

“Early childhood education has been very different the last 19 months. The Piqua Community Foundation has helped us to overcome one of our obstacles, by providing us with a grant to help replace and old fire door,” said Debbie Frazier, director of Greene Street Daycare & Preschool. “Without this help, we would not have been able to meet this fire code requirement. I would like to thank The Foundation for their gratitude toward helping to keep the children safe in our care.”

The Piqua Community Foundation’s next grant cycle has a March 31 deadline. To learn more about the grant and scholarship programs of The Piqua Community Foundation, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/grants.

Randi Pearson, far left, and Jim Sever, far right, Piqua Community Foundation Distribution Committee co-chairs, present a grant award to Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley representatives Caryl Segalewitz, development manager, second from left, and Jen Bonifas, interim vice president of program services, on November 8. The grant award will support activity boxes and technology equipment for clients of the Piqua Adult Day Support program and was one of a total of $62,917 distributed by The Foundation in the fall 2021 cycle.