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GRANTS
CREATE A FUND
SCHOLARSHIPS
Grants from unrestricted funds support a variety of programs and services throughout Ottawa County. We focus on making the maximum positive effort for our community.
SCHOLARSHIPS
CREATE A FUND
SCHOLARSHIPS
Our scholarship funds annually assist local high school seniors in their pursuit of higher education and training. Several special scholarships are also available.
CREATE A FUND
CREATE A FUND
CREATE A FUND
You may establish a named fund with the Foundation either during your lifetime or through your estate plan. Many options are available to donors to begin their fund.
Special Opportunities
Over $53,000 Awarded as Community Grants
Over $53,000 Awarded as Community Grants
Over $53,000 Awarded as Community Grants
The Foundation recently awarded over $53,000 through its annual Community Grants program. Thirty-two local non-profit organizations received funding in the fields of education, social services, physical and mental health, safe and positive living environments, natural resources, and the arts.
Funding for these grants is made possible from the earnings from several Unrestricted Funds and a Donor Advised Fund held by the Ottawa County Community Foundation. These include the Kenneth and Naomi Akins Family Fund, Bob and Grace Armbruster Fund, Earl J. Johnson Fund, Jane Ellen Gulau Fund, Joseph and Eleanor Kokinda Fund, OCCF Fund, Lenore Peterson-Blackburn Fund, Dr. James I. and Priscilla Rhiel Fund, Paul H. Rofkar Fund, Harry Stensen Memorial Fund, and Dave and Jeanne Thierwechter Fund. Several local donations were also received in support of the community grants program.
Shea McGrew First Executive Director
Over $53,000 Awarded as Community Grants
Over $53,000 Awarded as Community Grants
Please welcome Shea McGrew, new Executive Director for the Foundation!
According to OCCF Board of Trustees President Jan Preston, “Shea is the ideal candidate to serve in this important, new leadership role, and we look forward to the contributions he will make offering his skills, experience, and management style to help this organization grow.”
McGrew will report to the Board of Directors and is charged with meeting goals and contributing to the overall growth of the Foundation while overseeing both the day-to-day operations for the organization and the special initiatives.
McGrew has significant experience in operational and program management, including at two university foundations. He has secured major gifts while concurrently building annual giving productivity and is well-versed in the planning and leadership of campaigns. His skills in working with boards to develop and implement strategic priorities and will be important as OCCF looks to the future.
“My goal is to reach out regularly to donors, prospective donors, and the community to build relationships of trust and ‘tell the story’ of the Ottawa County Community Foundation,” said McGrew. “I look forward to furthering the mission of creating a better community for generations to come.”
RISE Small Business Innovation Grants
Over $53,000 Awarded as Community Grants
RISE Small Business Innovation Grants
Thanks to significant support from the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, OCCF was proud to collaborate with the Ottawa County Improvement Corporation to bring the Regional Incubator for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship (RISE) Small Business Innovation Grant program to Ottawa County in October 2020.
The grant program focused on assisting existing Ottawa County entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. Applicants proposed innovative and strategic investments to help them pivot and adapt despite the public helath pandenic that devastated the local economy.
The RISE Grant Program has awarded $63,485 in funding to 23 small businesses in pursuit of sustainability and growth with special consideration for those impacted by the recent public health emergency. For more information about RISE, click on the tab below.
Joy Roth Little Tiger Award Honors Her Legacy
Joy Roth founded the Ottawa County Community Foundation with a group of local citizens in 1999. She served as its President until her passing last year. She could easily be described as the foundation’s “foremost champion,” as she worked tirelessly in pursuit of its mission, “Doing Good. Forever.”
Joy was also an avid fan of the Auburn Tigers football team of Auburn and was known by her family and friends to be somewhat of a “little tiger” herself. So, as a way to honor Joy’s memory and legacy, the OCCF Board created the Joy Roth Little Tiger Award to recognize community champions who give back to the community.
The inaugural Little Tiger Award was presented to Bistro 163 along with a check for $500. The staff and team of volunteers at Bistro 163 in Port Clinton helped serve around 20,000 meals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and are still doing so to this day. Babs Klacik, general manager of the “pay it forward” restaurant, accepted the award on behalf of her staff and volunteers.
“She (Joy) would be just thrilled that Bistro 163 got (the Little Tiger Award),” said Joy’s husband, Jeff Roth. Joy had been a great volunteer for Bistro 163 since it started in 2016.
The Foundation will continue to honor Joy’s legacy through scholarships and grants to Ottawa County nonprofits, schools, and communities. Joy's family has asked that memorial contributions be directed to The Founder's Fund, established in her honor at our 20th Anniversary celebration.
