An avalanche of grants wrapped up the fourth quarter for the Tipp City Foundation. Ultimately, 13 organizations received 16 awards totaling $39,683.02. Total grants awarded in 2024 are $177,721.33.

Since 1943, $3,059,850 has been awarded to local causes.

New ideas seeking support include digitizing 155 years of Tipp City newspapers, a piano lab for Tippecanoe High School, and a portable planetarium large enough to hold an entire classroom of students. Read more about these below.

The following is a list of recipients, award levels and the impact these grants will make. Any additional support that donor advisors of the Tipp City Foundation gave through their grantmaking is noted.

RECREATION

Bethel Local Schools, $3,101.77, represents a payment towards the foundation’s 5-year commitment of $25,000 to build a new stadium. The stadium will be used for sports and marching band activities. A Bethel Arts Fund grant.

Miami County Educational Service Center, $850, provides developmentally appropriate playground structures for Tipp City and Bethel Twp. Preschoolers of all abilities to improve gross motor skills and encourage imaginative play.

Tipp Monroe Community Services, $3,600, defrays Camp Kern excursion costs for 100 campers in 2025.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Connections of Tipp City, $300, supports an after-school program for middle and high school students.

Seeds of Hope OH, $1,980, supports foster and kinship families with the purchase of safe beds for children who have been through the trauma of abuse and neglect.

Troy Literacy Council, $1,533, adults of Miami County benefit from the Council. A Gillis Fund for Self-Sufficiency grant.

We Care Arts, $5,226.53 and award, continues Transition to Work classroom programming in high schools throughout Miami County. A William’s Gift Fund grant. Additional support from the Robinson-Walters Family fund rounds out this request for a total of $6,226.53.

ARTS & CULTURE

Bethel Local Schools, $1,500, builds upon the high school ceramics program with the purchase of clay, glazes, and tools. A Bethel Arts Fund grant.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $4,000, builds a piano lab in the high school. Each semester 20 learners of all skill levels receive lessons. Additional support from the Dave Drake Family Fund rounds out this request for a total of $5,000.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, award, supports the replacement of broken sousaphones with new contra tubas. A Dave Drake Family Fund award.

Tipp City Parks Department, $1,692, supports maintenance in the Veterans Park. A Veterans Tribute Fund grant.

Tipp City Public Library, award, begins the digitization project for 155 years of Tipp City newspapers. A Wahl Family Fund grant.

Tippecanoe Historical Society, $2,022, underscores the importance of preserving and maintaining older buildings by supporting the Century Homes project. A Century Milestone Fund is the Lantz Family grant.

NATURE

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $3,527, softens the landscape of the school under construction by planting new trees. A Lucile L. Milner Trees for Tipp Fund grant.

EDUCATION

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $5,477.72, explores the far reaches of space with the Discovery Dome Digital Planetarium Theater. K-12 students can enhance their comprehension of state science standards all year long through this immersive galactic learning experience.

HEALTH & SAFETY

New Creations Counseling Center, Inc., $2,000, assists with counseling and psychological services for those with financial need. Additional support from the Community Compassion Fund rounds out this request for a total of $10,000.

Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development, $775, rejuvenates the sensory garden by adding shade umbrellas, a rainbow viewing station, a caterpillar climbing toy and other sensory-stimulating equipment.

Tipp City Seniors, Inc., $2,098, supports emotional and physical wellness of senior citizens by underwriting programming such as chair yoga. A Senior Wellness Fund grant.

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.

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.