MANSFIELD – The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved grants totaling $923,634.86 during its June meeting.
Competitive and field of interest grants approved by the board included the following grants:
Habitat for Humanity of Richland and Crawford Counties received a grant for Building Futures Together which is a collaborative effort between HHRCC and Pioneer Career & Technology Center, focused on expanding access to affordable housing while providing hands-on workforce training for local students.
During the 2025–2026 academic year, Pioneer students will construct a new Habitat home in Shelby.
The partnership offers a life-changing opportunity for a family in need, while also equipping the next generation with valuable skills.
The City of Mansfield Police Department received a grant for a Therapy K9 Team which includes a canine named Charlie. Charlie will be assigned to the Mansfield Senior High School Resource Officer, and it will be a part of the Community Police Unit.
The Therapy K9 Team will be a resource for students, teachers, and staff affected by trauma. The Police Department believes the K9 Therapy Team will have a positive impact on relationships between law enforcement and community members.
The Lucas Community Center received a grant for an outdoor deck. For safety reasons the deck and a retaining wall must be rebuilt. The deck is utilized as a gathering space and allows access to the sand volleyball courts.
The North Central Ohio Land Conservancy received a grant to expand its trail by a quarter mile and to protect the view of adjoining properties that are a part of the Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail.
The trail serves hikers in southern Richland County.
The Richland Community Development Group received a grant for BrandRichland which is a project in the Foundation’s Mansfield Rising Plan. BrandRichland is a strategic, marketing campaign designed to shift perception, build civic pride, and attract new residents, talent, and investment to Richland County.
With the foundational brand identity now fully developed, this project represents the implementation phase: launching internal and external awareness campaigns that tell a compelling and cohesive story of who we are as a community.
The Board of Trustees approved grants from donor advised funds which allow individuals, families, and corporations the opportunity to make grant suggestions to their favorite charities.
Donor advised funds are a flexible and convenient alternative to a private foundation. It is also a way to keep charitable contributions anonymous, at the preference of the donor.
The following organizations received grants from donor advised funds:
Denison University
Discovery School
Downtown Mansfield, Inc.
First Congregational Church of Mansfield
Furniture Bank of North Central Ohio
Honey from the Rock LLC
Love on a Mission
Lucas Community Center
Mansfield Art Center
Mansfield Community Playhouse
North Central State College
Ohio Bird Sanctuary
Pioneer Career Technical Center
Pleasant Hill Outdoor Camp
Richland Academy of the Arts
Richland Carrousel Park
Richland Community Development Group
Richland Historical Society
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio
Shakespeare Company of Mansfield
Shalom Christian Missions
St. Paul Outreach Center
St. Peter’s Parish
Taking Root Farms
Third Street Family Health Services
Wayfinders Ohio
Wayne Center for the Arts
The Board of Trustees also awarded seven scholarships to students attending a career technical education school.
The Scholarship Committee implemented a rolling deadline for CTE scholarships to meet various enrollment deadlines.
Aligning with Ohio’s Attainment Goal, the Foundation wants to help fill the gap between job openings and certified employees as well as lead the way to support workforce development through CTE scholarships.
About the Richland County Foundation
The Richland County Foundation, a not-for-profit 501c3, was established in 1945 as a way for individuals to pool and invest their gifts for the long-term good of Richland County and its residents.
The Foundation helps people in Richland County give back to their community by investing their gifts wisely so that grants can be made to improve the quality of life for all the county’s citizens.
Collaborating with donors, the Foundation meets important needs today and plans for a strong future.