$3 Million milestone Passed - Sarah Merritt remembered
In 81 years, the Tipp City Foundation has awarded hundreds of discretionary grants. Added up, those awards now surpass a total of $3 million. “For a community of this size, that is a heroic milestone,” said president Richard Bender. “The community members are the people that have made this possible through their donations to our endowments.”
Discretionary grants are made possible because of contributions of any size from the public. A full list of the foundation’s 62 endowment funds is available at www.tippfoundation.org.
One of the largest awards this quarter was made in memory of Sarah Merritt, Tippecanoe High School class of 2004. The award came at the suggestion of Sarah’s parents, Tom and Tammy Merritt. In an unusual step, the Sarah Merritt Scholarship Fund is now closed, and the assets have been directed to support the high school soccer program, which was instrumental in Sarah’s life.
Ultimately, six organizations received 10 awards totaling $37,810.49. Since 1943, $3,020,167.17 have been awarded to local causes.
Awards support the quality of life in the spheres of arts and culture, health and safety, recreation, social services, nature, and education.
The following is a list of recipients, award levels and the impact these grants will make. Any additional support that donor advisors gave through their grantmaking is noted.
RECREATION
Tippecanoe Exempted Village School, $8,244.56, purchases Veo camera equipment for the high school soccer program. Veo cameras automatically record and follow action on the field, allowing users to live-stream, analyze and share game footage. Individual and team development can be studied from the film as well as creating individual highlight reels for college recruiting. Awarded in memory of Sarah Merritt.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Bethel Elementary PTO, $3,000, replenishes an account set aside for students who do not have lunch money.
Child Care Choices, $4,000, addresses the region-wide shortage of childcare providers through a campaign seeking solutions to the problem. The project will span an 18-month period.
ARTS & CULTURE
Downtown Tipp City Partnership, $2,751.50, solicits individuals to join the Partnership as annual members, which will boost revenue to sustain programs and services.
Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $1,796.36, updates photography and stop animation equipment for the high school digital media class.
Tipp City Public Library, $1,500, explores the challenge of creating peace through literature via a partnership between the library, local schools, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. Additional support from the Robinson-Walters Fund rounds out this request for a total of $3,500.
NATURE
Bethel Local Schools, award, connects second graders to the natural world through a garden in the schoolyard. A Robinson-Walters Fund award.
EDUCATION
Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $9,870, exposes middle school students to arts-based technology and careers, while creating logos and artwork on state-of-the-art iPads. Awarded, in part, from the Youth of Tipp City Fund in memory of Sara Drexler.
Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $2,535.84, individualizes support for special needs students, ages 5 - 8, with the purchase of eight iPads and cases. Apps customized to the needs of each learner will be updated by intervention specialists and speech pathologists as the children progress.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Zion Lutheran Church, $4,112.23, purchases AED equipment to have at the ready. Awarded, in part, from August Henke Comfort for the Needy and Safety First Funds.
Quarterly grant deadlines are February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 each year. Jim Ranft is available for your grant-related questions at 937-528-2482. Applications are available online at www.tippfoundation.org.
Members of the Foundation are Heather Bailey, Richard Bender, president, Bryan Blake, Mary Bowman, Diana Featherstone, treasurer, Dee Gillis, Joellen Heatherly, vice president, Bruce McKenzie, Glen McMurry, Jim Ranft, distribution chair, Julie Taylor, Andrew Venters, Jackie Wahl, Bill Wendel, secretary and Carolyn Wright.
The Tipp City Foundation is a component fund of The Troy Foundation. If you would like information about how to make a tax-deductible contribution or how to establish an endowment fund, please contact Heather Bailey at (937) 528-2482.
For more information visit www.tippfoundation.org or Tipp Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.