Fall Grants Now Open & The Impact of The Foundation’s Grants on Work Force Development

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Kalette Hittle, Executive Director and Committee Members award check to Scott Bloom, Curriculum Director of Piqua City Schools for CAT Simulator Project

The Piqua Community Foundation’s standard Fall grant cycle is now open to organizations with a 501(c)(3) or equivalent tax-exempt status for projects benefiting Piqua residents. Applicants should submit applications based on religion, education, scientific, literary, or charitable projects. Applications and grant guidelines can be found on The Foundation’s website, with a submission deadline of September 30.

The impact of The Foundation’s grants reaches far and wide, evident with this past Spring cycle where over $94,000 in grant funding was awarded to local organizations including: Children’s International Summer Villages Midwest Ohio Chapter; Piqua Parents as Teachers; Piqua Community Kitchen; Piqua City Schools; Scouting America, Miami Valley Council; Piqua Fire Department; Awakenings Christian Fellowship; Piqua Catholic School; Johnston Farm; We Care Arts; Piqua Area Chamber Foundation; Lehman Catholic High School; The Salvation Army; Piqua Arts Council; Piqua Young Life; and The Edison Foundation.

One of the projects funded named “CAT-apult Your Career” through Piqua City Schools will have a tremendous impact on work force development in the community with the use of a CAT SimLite desktop Compact Track Loader simulator. This simulator will allow high school students to access career-specific practice of various simulated heavy machinery. Through the use and practice of this simulator, students can determine what career field is the best fit for them.

Kalette Hittle, Executive Director of The Piqua Community Foundation asked Scott Bloom, Curriculum Director at Piqua City Schools “What trends or challenges are you seeing in workforce development across our community? And what was the thought behind the simulator request?”

“We are actually trending in a positive way when it comes to job availability. It is connecting students early to the existing jobs that are here and to align their interest and aptitudes with those openings. That is our task, to help kids go ‘I didn’t even know that existed and I really like that. How do I learn more?’” 

By giving students the opportunity to practice and get firsthand experiences through the CAT simulator, this provides them with the initial steps to get started in a lucrative industry, like construction, manufacturing, or other related fields the community has a need for.

This is just one of the many examples of the impact grant making has on the Piqua community.

“If a student has the proper training and knowledge for these industries, it allows them right after high school to have a very livable wage and really the opportunities are pretty endless. We are very thankful for this and what it could bring to our kids.”
Scott Bloom
Curriculum Director at Piqua City Schools

Marciana Auxier joins The Piqua Community Foundation team

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The Piqua Community Foundation is excited to announce the hire of Marciana Auxier as executive assistant, who began her role today.

Marciana graduated from Sinclair Community College with an associate’s degree in legal studies before continuing her education at the University of Cincinnati, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in law and paralegal studies with a 4.0 GPA. During her time at UC, she was recognized as the Outstanding Student of the Year for the Law and Paralegal Studies program. She is currently a part-time 1L at the Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law and serves as managing editor of the ONU Civil Rights Law Journal.

Marciana has extensive experience in customer service and previously worked as an estate planning paralegal, where she drafted estate planning documents and assisted attorneys in serving members of the community.

Outside of her career and education, Marciana enjoys staying active outdoors, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. She resides in the Piqua community with her husband, Noah.

Marciana Auxier
Marciana Auxier

Kalette N. Hittle, executive director of The Foundation, shared that both she and the Board of Directors are excited to have Marciana join the team and look forward to the role she will play in supporting the organization’s continued growth and positive impact in the community.

"Marciana's professional experience, confident presence, and passion for learning more about the community made her the top candidate for this position. I am excited to have her on the team and look forward to collaborating with her as we continue carrying out The Foundation's mission.
Kalette N. Hittle
Executive Director

The Piqua Community Foundation is located at 209 W. Ash St., Piqua. For more information about The Piqua Community Foundation and charitable giving in the Piqua community, please visit piquacommunityfoundation.org or call 937.615.9080.

When You Give, Piqua Grows: Fall 2025 Community Grants Making an Impact

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In November, The Piqua Community Foundation awarded grants to twenty-two local nonprofit organizations to support programs and projects benefiting the Piqua community. A total of $92,104 was distributed through The Foundation’s semi-annual grantmaking program.

Guided by the belief that “When you share with us, we share with many!”, The Foundation utilizes its community grantmaking fund to support local nonprofits in advancing their missions while fulfilling The Foundation’s purpose of encouraging charitable giving that benefits the citizens of Piqua.

During each grant cycle, local nonprofits are invited to submit proposals for programs or projects, including a detailed description of the anticipated impact on the Piqua community. All applications are carefully reviewed by The Foundation’s Distribution Committee, which is comprised of four board members and three community members. Funding recommendations are then presented to and approved by The Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Each grant cycle brings excitement as we are honored to steward the dollars so generously given by our donors. Seeing those gifts make a true difference through the work of our hardworking nonprofit partners who are creating real impact on the ground is incredibly meaningful.
Kalette N. Hittle
Executive Director, The Piqua Community Foundation

One organization receiving support this cycle is the Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development, which was awarded funding for its project, Locking in Safety: Electronic Door Lock. This project includes an upgraded front entrance door that allows the receptionist to control building access with the push of a button, enhancing safety and efficiency for those entering the facility.

Thank you to The Piqua Community Foundation for making this possible. It provides both safety and convenience for all our participants and families!
Carla Bertke
Executive Director, Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development

The organizations receiving support during the Fall 2025 grant cycle include:

  • Bethany Center — Incline Lift – Access for All
  • Congregation Anshe Emeth — Stained glass window preservation
  • Friends of the Piqua Public Library — 12th Annual Holiday Cabaret
  • Mentoring Partnership — Mentoring software program
  • Miami County Agricultural Society — Electrical upgrades
  • Miami County Dental Clinic — Curing lights for the clinic
  • Miami County Parks District — Hug the Earth Festival — Farm to You program
  • Miami County Public Health — Bingocize
  • Piqua Catholic School — Art supplies
  • Piqua Catholic School — Band chairs
  • Piqua Civic Band Association — Timpani
  • Piqua Community Kitchen — Freezer
  • Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development — Locking in Safety: Electronic Door Lock
  • SafeHaven — R.E.S.T – Recovery, Education, Sustenance, and Therapeutics
  • Salvation Army — Hygiene pantry
  • Sidney Dance Company — Nutcracker Ballet
  • St. John’s Lutheran Church — AED acquisition & training
  • St. John’s Lutheran Church — Hope Closet Dresses — Accessory room upgrade
  • The Edison Foundation — Edison State Community College — FifthyNEXT Capital Campaign nursing program expansion
  • Upper Valley Medical Center Foundation — Cancer Care Center
  • WACO Education Center & Air Museum — Foundation Hall: Phase one technology project
  • Wilma’s Place — Meals of Hope

The Foundation’s spring community grant cycle opens February 1 with a deadline of March 31.

To learn more about the grant and scholarship programs of The Piqua Community Foundation, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/grants.

The Piqua Community Foundation launches 2026 scholarship opportunities for local students

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With the start of 2026, graduation season is quickly approaching for local students, bringing excitement about the future as well as concerns about the rising cost of higher education. One of the greatest challenges students face today is how to afford the education they need to turn their dreams into reality.

Thanks to the generosity of individuals who value education and believe in giving back, The Piqua Community Foundation is excited to announce that its 2026 scholarship programs are now open. These scholarships have been thoughtfully established by donors who are committed to supporting students in our community as they pursue postsecondary education.

Students can view details and eligibility requirements for the Foundation’s many scholarship opportunities by visiting www.piquacommunityfoundation.org/scholarships. Students are also encouraged to speak with their school guidance counselors for assistance in determining which scholarships may be the best fit for them.

In 2025, The Piqua Community Foundation awarded 84 scholarships totaling $160,500 to local students, made possible entirely through donor generosity.

“What an amazing gift to give the students of our community. Time and again, students share how these scholarships eased financial stress and allowed them to focus on their academics. We are proud to steward these scholarship programs, carry forward the intentions of our generous donors, and support students as they continue their educational journeys.”
Kalette N. Hittle
Executive Director, The Piqua Community Foundation

Foundation Celebrates Another Year of Impact at the 2025 Annual Meeting

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The Piqua Community Foundation celebrated another year of meeting Piqua’s needs and dreams at its 2025 Annual Meeting, where leadership, community partners, and supporters gathered to reflect on the past year’s impact and look ahead to future opportunities.

Since 1995, The Foundation has supported local nonprofit partners and students through grants and scholarships to ensure Piqua continues to grow and thrive.

In 2025, The Foundation has distributed over $1 million in grants and scholarships to date. While grants from funds outside the unrestricted community grantmaking fund can support both local and national causes, 88% of those awards stayed right here at home, supporting organizations in and around Piqua. This number speaks volumes about the passion our donors and fundholders have for strengthening the community.

The unrestricted community grantmaking fund continued to support Piqua with another record year, totaling $176,430 awarded to organizations operating programs and projects that directly benefit Piqua residents.

Kevin Kirsch, a volunteer with Eagles’ Wings Therapeutic Riding Center, shared the impact of support from The Foundation throughout the years. This support has helped individuals gain certification and expand the program’s reach to more riders.

The Annual Meeting also included the election of the Board of Directors. The Life Trustees elected Teresa Anderson and Frank J. Patrizio to join the Board, along with the reelection of four incumbent directors who will serve three-year terms beginning January 1, 2026. These directors are Kyle M. Cooper, Beth H. Kazer, Jeff Pedro Jr., and Andrew Snyder.

Michael Gutmann and Andrew S. Monnin were honored for their many years of dedicated service as they retire from the Board and conclude their terms on December 31, 2026.

The Foundation also expressed gratitude to Andrew Snyder for his two years of leadership as president of the Board and welcomed Stephanie A. Gunter as the incoming president.

As The Foundation looks ahead, the message remains clear: when our community shares with us, we share with many. Together, we continue building a stronger and brighter future for Piqua.

The Foundation Reinforces Its Promise to Serve Piqua Through Critical Support

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In 1993, when our founding members first began to brainstorm, they knew Piqua needed a foundation that would help fulfill the dreams and needs of our community. Thirty-two years later, that founding vision guided The Piqua Community Foundation as our community faced an unexpected challenge.

When the federal government shutdown began affecting local organizations, Council on Rural Services (CORS) quickly felt the impact. CORS provides vital services to Miami County residents, including early childhood education and childcare through the Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

With federal funding temporarily on hold, CORS announced in early November that they would be forced to close their Miami County Head Start and Early Head Start sites located in Piqua, Troy, and West Milton beginning December 1. This closure would have disrupted essential childcare for 247 families, affected 64 staff members, and created a ripple effect throughout the local workforce as parents prepared to stay home with their children.

In response, local foundations, community organizations, and businesses stepped forward quickly to provide temporary bridge funding, enabling CORS to continue operating its early childhood programs in Miami County throughout December.

The Piqua Community Foundation proudly upheld its founding purpose by ensuring the Piqua site remained open. The Foundation contributed $61,000 in support of this crucial effort.

I am so proud that The Foundation was able to rise to the occasion and support our community by ensuring vital services continue. We are blessed with generous donors who believe in our mission. They entrust us with the responsibility of caring for our community, and we take that commitment to heart.
Kalette N. Hittle
Executive Director

This collaborative effort highlights the strength and generosity of Miami County, where local partners unite to support families when challenges arise.

To learn more about The Piqua Community Foundation, visit www.piquacommunityfoundation.org or call The Foundation office at 937.615.9080.

Donnelly Continues to Share with Piqua: A Jackpot That Keeps on Giving

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Richard Donnelly, founder of The Donnelly Donor Advised Fund, presents a grant check to The Miami County Dental Clinic, joined by dental students from The Ohio State University serving at the clinic.

When Richard Donnelly was part of a group of Piqua city employees who hit the Mega Millions jackpot in 2008, his win wasn’t just a change in personal fortune, it became a win for the entire community. Rather than simply enjoying his good luck alone, Richard came to The Piqua Community Foundation with a strong desire to give back to the place he proudly calls home.

With Richard’s vision and generosity, several funds were established through The Foundation to support causes close to his heart and help those who call Piqua home. Among these is The Donnelly Donor Advised Fund, which continues to make a powerful and lasting difference by supporting organizations that directly serve local residents.

The decision-making process for the grants is a collaborative effort. A dedicated committee, including Richard, Emma (Donnelly) Ford, Kathy McMaken, Frank Patrizio, and Luke Thoma, meets annually to determine the recipients of The Donnelly Donor Advised Fund grants.

Richard Donnelly presenting a grant check to Rebecca Sousek, Executive Director of Piqua Compassion Network.

In 2025, sixteen organizations received grants from the fund, totaling $36,250. Recipients included:

  • American Legion Department of Ohio Charities
  • Bethany Center
  • Edison Foundation
  • Friends of Mainstreet Piqua
  • Greene Street United Methodist Church
  • Miami County Dental Clinic
  • Miami County YMCA
  • Piqua Arts Council
  • Piqua City Schools
  • Piqua Civic Band
  • Piqua Compassion Network
  • Protecting our Water Ways
  • Salvation Army
  • The Piqua Community Foundation
  • Upper Miami Valley Young Life
  • YWCA Piqua
Richard Donnelly, alongside Staci Roth, Executive Director of Mainstreet Piqua.
“Rich is truly a blessing to Piqua, and when he won, we all won. His generosity is inspiring to witness, and we are extremely thankful that he chose to share with us. He is a true example of our motto: ‘When you share with us, we share with many.’”
Kalette N. Hittle
Executive Director, The Piqua Community Foundation

Richard’s decision to share his winnings has benefitted so many residents of Piqua, demonstrating that a single act of good fortune can be transformed into a legacy of community support and lasting impact.

To learn more about The Donnelly Donor Advised Fund or to explore how you can create your own charitable legacy, visit www.piquacommunityfoundation.org or call The Foundation office at 937.615.9080.

Richard Donnelly and Jeff Clark, Principal at Piqua Junior High School.

Carrying Forward the Hartzell Legacy with the G. William Hartzell Community Grants

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George William “Bill” Hartzell was more than the leader of a successful company. He lived a life that reflected both work and devotion to community. As part of the Hartzell family, Bill was instrumental in carrying forward the Hartzell family business here in Piqua. He dedicated his career to guiding the company’s growth, but his commitment reached well beyond the workplace. Piqua became the place where he built his life and gave back generously to the people around him.

G. William "Bill" Hartzell

Following in the footsteps of his parents, Robert and Miriam Hartzell, Bill believed deeply in investing in the place he called home. To carry that tradition forward, he made plans through his estate to establish a permanent fund, The G. William Hartzell Charitable Fund of The Piqua Community Foundation. His foresight created a legacy that continues to strengthen Piqua year after year.

Through the bequest left in his estate, nonprofit organizations that serve Piqua residents are eligible to receive support through the G. William Hartzell Community Grant program. Each summer, organizations that serve the people of Piqua are invited to apply for funding.

A committee gathers each year to review applications and recommend grants. This committee reflects both Bill’s personal and professional worlds, including his wife, Barbara Hartzell, several current and former employees of Hartzell Industries, including Sharon Lyons, Randi M. Pearson, Jim Gray and Connie Atkinson, as well as The Piqua Community Foundation’s first executive director, Karen Wendeln. Together, these individuals carry forward Bill’s vision by determining which organizations will benefit from the resources he so generously set aside for the community.

“We are honored to continue Bill Hartzell’s legacy of giving back to the community he loved so deeply. Through his generosity, The Foundation is able to support organizations that strengthen Piqua, just as he did throughout his life.”
Kalette N. Hittle
Executive Director, The Piqua Community Foundation

In 2025, twenty-eight organizations received grants totaling $45,000. These grants are unrestricted, allowing each organization to decide how best to use the funding to further their mission and meet the needs of those they serve.

The organizations receiving 2025 G. William Hartzell Community Grants are:

  • Bethany Center
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami Valley
  • Brukner Nature Center
  • CASA/GAL of Miami County
  • Child Care Choices
  • Congregation Anshe Emeth
  • Crayons to Classrooms
  • Elizabeth’s New Life Center
  • Friends of the Piqua Parks
  • Friends of the Piqua Public Library
  • Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley
  • Isaiah’s Place
  • Johnston Farm Friends Council
  • Miami County Dental Clinic
  • Miami Valley Veterans Museum
  • Morgan’s Place Cemetery
  • Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County
  • Piqua Area Chamber Foundation
  • Piqua Community Kitchen
  • Piqua Compassion Network
  • Piqua Parents as Teachers
  • Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development
  • SafeHaven
  • Troy-Miami County Public Library
  • Upper Miami Valley Young Life
  • UVCC/Piqua Fire Department
  • We Care Arts
  • Wilson Health Foundation

Bill Hartzell’s decision to invest in Piqua through his estate plan was both a tribute to his family’s legacy and a gift to future generations. Each year, the impact of his generosity is seen in the organizations that serve Piqua residents. His vision lives on in the work of these nonprofits and in the community for which he so deeply cared for.

To learn more about the G. William Hartzell Community Grants or to explore how you can create your own legacy, visit www.piquacommunityfoundation.org or call The Foundation office at 937.615.9080.

Foundation announces part-time executive assistant position

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The Piqua Community is now accepting applications for a part-time executive assistant. This opening follows the departure of LeeAnn Foster, The Foundation’s former executive assistant, who accepted a full-time position with Piqua City Schools last month.

This role provides essential support to the executive director and contributes to The Foundation’s day-to-day operations. The ideal candidate will have expertise in record-keeping, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience providing administrative support for grant and scholarship programs. Effective written and verbal communication skills, professionalism, and the ability to interact with a variety of stakeholders are also key. Experience with marketing and social media is preferred and would be highly valued in the selection process.

This position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the Piqua community while finding personal fulfillment in your work.

To learn more about the position and how to apply, click the button below.

Learn More Here

Foundation Awards over $84,000 to Nonprofits Benefiting Piqua Community

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Last month, The Piqua Community Foundation awarded $84,326 to area nonprofits through its spring community grant cycle. The Foundation manages donations from community members and gives out a portion of those funds twice a year to support local organizations that serve Piqua residents.

Grant proposals are reviewed by the seven-member Distribution Committee, made up of three Foundation board members and four community volunteers, which makes funding recommendations to the Board of Directors for final approval.

The organizations awarded 2025 spring community grants are:

CASA/GAL of Miami County – CASA Expansion Project
Elizabeth’s New Life Center – SPARK Program
Indian Hills 4-H Camp – Tables for Lodge
Isaiah’s Place – Expansion: Furnishing & Technology Needs
Lehman Catholic High School – Heartbeats of Tomorrow: Revitalizing School Safety
     (AEDs)
Miami County Educational Service Center – Career Connections & YouScience
     Initiative
Piqua Catholic (Center for Early Learning) – Pre-K Curriculum
Piqua City Schools – Bookmobile
Piqua City Schools – Great Solar System Adventure Planetarium Show
Piqua City Schools – Junior Farmer’s Market
Piqua Community Kitchen – Kitchen Supplies
Piqua Compassion Network – Lightening the Load Laundry Outreach
Piqua Parents as Educators – Parents as Teachers National Conference
Salvation Army – Summer Lunch Program
The Edison Foundation – FiftyNEXT Capital Campaign: Nursing Program Expansion
Upper Miami Valley Young Life – Summer Camp
Wayne’s Legion of Fort Piqua – Historic Fall Trade Faire at Fort Piqua
We Care Arts – SafeHaven Outreach Programing (Art Classes)

Members of the Distribution Committee and Foundation staff visited several grant recipients to present the awards and learn more about their impactful work in the community. These visits offered a firsthand look at how Foundation support is helping bring meaningful programs and projects to life. Three of the organizations visited this cycle include:

Piqua City Schools Bookmobile - (from left) Executive Director Kalette N. Hittle, Distribution Committee member Sharon Semanie, Kiara Williams, Piqua City Schools Director of Curriculum (Pre K-5), Scott Bloom, Piqua City Schools Director of Curriculum (6-12), Distribution Committee Chair Randi Pearson, and Piqua City Schools Treasurer Jeremie Hittle.

Piqua City Schools received funding for its new Bookmobile, which will offer students interactive learning experiences and access to summer reading materials. The Bookmobile is set to follow the Salvation Army’s food canteen truck along the Summer Lunch Program route once a week, with additional appearances planned at local events to broaden its reach. The goal is to increase literacy by making books and educational opportunities more accessible. The Foundation’s grant will help transform the vehicle into a fully functional, engaging learning space for Piqua children.

Indian Hills 4-H Camp – (from left) Executive Director Kalette N. Hittle; Camp Manager Ashley Durst; Distribution Committee member Sharon Semanie; OSU Extension 4-H educator Jessica Adams; and Distribution Committee chair Randi Pearson.

Indian Hills 4-H Camp received funding to purchase new tables to improve the versatility and usability of the lodge space. These updates will support not only campers during 4-H programming but also enhance the camp’s ability to host community events. Indian Hills 4-H Camp is dedicated to maintaining the property and supporting the development of Miami County 4-H Clubs through leadership training, wildlife conservation, recreation, and social engagement. Each year, the camp serves an estimated 200-300 Piqua residents. The new equipment is expected to expand programming and boost engagement.

Isaiah’s Place – (from left) Distribution Committee chair Randi Pearson; Director of Operations Robby Lybarger; Child Advocacy Center program director Jen Knisley; and Distribution Committee member Sharon Semanie.

Isaiah’s Place was awarded funding for IT equipment and installation in its upcoming building expansion. The organization serves foster children and families and houses a Child Advocacy Center that supports child abuse victims in Miami County. The updated infrastructure will strengthen the organization’s capacity to deliver essential services.

The generosity of our community makes these grants possible. Together, we’re investing in projects and programs that serve and support the residents of Piqua.”
Kalette N. Hittle
Executive Director

The Foundation’s fall community grant cycle opens August 1 with a deadline of September 30.

To learn more about the grant and scholarship programs of The Piqua Community Foundation, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/grants.

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