The Knox County Foundation Board of Directors approved $1,087,800 in competitive grant funding to 16 nonprofit organizations at its February 11 board meeting.
The foundation reported a record number of applications and a total request amount of $1,937,279 for this grant cycle. This reflects both growing needs and continued momentum among organizations serving Knox County.
Among the awards are two $300,000 grants—the largest competitive grants ever awarded by the foundation. The Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities received $300,000 toward the NewHope Early Education Center Renovation. The project is designed to enhance safety, accessibility, and functionality at the facility that houses Head Start and Educational Service Center classrooms and offices. Steve Oster, superintendent of the KCBDD, said, "We are deeply grateful to the Knox County Foundation for this generous grant, which will have a tremendous impact on the NewHope Early Education Center and the community we serve. Upgrading our building with new windows, doors, fresh paint and modern heating controls ensures a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment for children, adults, and families who rely on our programs. Investments like this allow us to continue providing high-quality education and support for individuals with developmental disabilities and children from birth through age five."
The Winter Sanctuary was also awarded $300,000 for "A Permanent Home," an initiative to secure a permanent facility for Knox County’s emergency shelter and homeless advocacy services. Joe Springer, executive director at the Winter Sanctuary said: "This grant from the Knox County Foundation will help secure a permanent home for Knox County’s emergency shelter, providing consistent, safe shelter for individuals and families during times of crisis. It represents an investment not only in our organization but in the stability and well-being of our entire community. We are deeply grateful for the Foundation’s partnership and commitment to caring for our most vulnerable neighbors."
Other recipients include Kokosing Gap Trail ($75,000), Knox County Park District ($64,000), Centerburg Local Schools ($50,000), HopeNow Inc. ($50,000), Mount Vernon Arts Consortium ($22,500), Mount Vernon City School District ($12,500), Knox County Educational Service Center ($12,500), Area Development Foundation Inc. ($10,000), Food for the Hungry ($5,000) among others.
The foundation also launched Summer Youth Enrichment Grants this year to reduce financial barriers preventing children from participating in summer programs. Recipients include SPI Summer Enrichment Camps ($10,300), MTVarts Education Taking Wing Programming ($10,000), Knox County Family and Children First Council Intentional Funding Program ($10,000), and The Gund at Kenyon College Summer Camp Series ($6,000).
In addition to competitive grants approved by its board between December 2 and February 10 totaling $289,660 were ratified from Donor Advised Funds supporting various charitable initiatives across the community.
The next competitive grant cycle will conclude April 15 with an Expression of Intent form due by March 15; this cycle is limited to small grants requests of $10,000 or less.
For more information about grant opportunities visit the foundation's website.
