March 2025 Grants from the Tipp Foundation

Tipp City Foundation Announces March Grants: Multi-Year Grants Boost Impact

Now in its 82nd year, the Tipp City Foundation increasingly receives grant requests for higher dollar amounts. As foundation assets grow, larger grant awards are possible more often. Some requests are so large that awards need to be given over several years.

The March grant cycle saw several instances where awards will be spread out. Pickleball courts at Kyle Park and the new Miami County Animal Shelter are among the multi-year awards recipients.

New ideas seeking support this quarter include a Tippopoly board game, and free entrance to the annual Tippapalooza concert. Read more about these below. Ultimately, 17 organizations received 22 awards totaling $58,952.83.

Since 1943, $3,118,802.83 has been awarded to local causes.

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

SOCIAL SERVICES

Miami County Partners for Animal Welfare, $5,000, commits $50,000 towards building a no-kill animal shelter and adoption center. This is the first of ten payments. Awarded, in part, from Bethel Community Fund. Additional support from Walter E. Caton Fund and Robinson-Walters Family Fund rounds out this request for a total of $9,085.

New Path, Inc. award helps up to 250 families with financial support during times of personal downturn. A Community Compassion Fund award.

Robinson Foundation of The Troy Foundation, $500, remembers the philanthropic impact and leadership of Thomas Robinson, a Miami County leader, with a memorial gift.

Tipp City Church of the Nazarene, $5,000, expands existing daycare and preschool options to include special needs children. This grant supports the remodeling of the building to accommodate the specialized equipment required. This is the final payment toward a multi-year commitment. Awarded, in part, from Hidden Picture Puzzles by Liz Ball Fund and the H. E. “Tiny” & Emma Drewing Fund.

ARTS & CULTURE

Bethel Local Schools, $2,500, lifts up the voices of the Bethel High School choir as they perform on a global stage ... Walt Disney World. This grant helps to underwrite the cost of the trip. A Bethel Arts Fund award. Additional support from Walter E. Caton Fund rounds out this request for a total of $3,000.

Downtown Tipp City Partnership, $5,000, provides seed money for a project to raise dollars to fund small business grants. The fundraising project will customize the traditional Monopoly board game into Tippopoly. Game boards will be available for purchase in late 2025.

Project T.I.P.P. (Teens Impacting and Promoting Philanthropy), $5,000, gives teens grantmaking responsibility in conjunction with the Tipp City Chamber of Commerce’s Teen Leadership Academy.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $254, sparks the creative imagination of high school students contributing to Inferno, a literary journal published annually. A Live Loud Like Carson: A School Spirit Fund award. Additional support from Walter E. Caton Fund rounds out this request for a total of $1,100.

Tippapalooza, Inc., $3,000, eliminates the entrance fee to this annual music festival. Held in downtown Tipp City, this is a family-friendly celebration of local music.

EDUCATION

Miami County Educational Service Center award recognizes valedictorians and salutatorians of Miami County at an annual banquet held for them and their most influential teachers. A Walter E. Caton Fund award.

Miami County Educational Service Center award guides students through the YouScience Initiative as they explore academic and career options. A Walter E. Caton Fund award.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools award purchases heart models and stethoscopes for 4th grade science classrooms. A Tipp Giving Fund award.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $698, replaces heavily worn competition buzzer sets used by the Academic Quiz Team. Last month the Tippecanoe High School Academic Quiz Team wrapped up their MVL regular season with a perfect 18-0 record and a championship title!

HEALTH & SAFETY

The Edison Foundation, $5,000, supports the building of classrooms dedicated to the field of nursing at Edison State Community College. This is the 2nd of 5 payments, which will total $25,000. Awarded, in part, from Bethel Community Fund.

Health Partners Free Clinic, $1,755, updates the check-in process with signature pads and scanners. This paperless system will be more secure and private for patients.

Funded, in part, from Bethel Community Fund. Additional support from Walter E. Caton Fund rounds out this request for a total of $2,755.

Miami County Dental Clinic, $3,360, assures that the operations of this clinic stay in compliance while ensuring a positive workplace for dental staff and clients. Over 30% of clients are senior citizens. Awarded, in part, from Senior Wellness Fund. 

New Path, Inc. award purchases cleaning supplies to sanitize donated durable medical equipment to prepare it for clients in need. A Community Compassion Fund award.

Tipp City Fire and Emergency Services, $1,987.60, promotes safety education by updating hands-on equipment used to teach safety essentials. A Safety First Fund award.

RECREATION

Bethel Local Schools, $1,898.23, completes our five-year commitment to help build a new stadium at Bethel Schools. The total award was $25,000. A Bethel Community Fund award.

Tipp Pride Association, $7,500, honors our commitment to help build a new stadium in City Park. This is the 8th of 10 payments, which will total $75,000.

Tipp City Parks Department, $10,000, volleys financial support toward building pickleball courts in Kyle Park. This is the first of five payments, which will total $50,000. Awarded, in part, from Jim & June Kyle Family Fund, Outdoor Experiences Fund in honor of Abby Kessler Bowling, and Warren E. Miltenberger Parkland Fund.

Troop 586 Tipp City, $500, purchases new (and replaces old) equipment used in the robust activities of a Boy Scout Troop, serving youth ages 11 through 17.

Discretionary grants are made possible because of contributions, of any size, from the public. A full list of the foundation’s 65 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, Diana Featherstone, treasurer, Dee Gillis, Joellen Heatherly, vice president, 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.