Education and Youth Development Grant Cycle
Community Foundation of Lorain County Approves $534,988 in Grants for Education and Youth Development.
Lorain County, OH – July 17, 2024 – The Community Foundation of Lorain County has approved $534,988 in grants to support 26 Education and Youth Development programs, reaffirming its commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and fostering youth development in the community. These grants align with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating the Foundation’s dedication to global development standards and local impact.
Jamie Finley Simoneau, Program Evaluation and Integration Officer, highlighted the significance of these grants. “We are thrilled to support impactful programs that benefit our community’s youth. These grants reflect our dedication to connecting people who care with causes that matter.”
The grants, averaging nearly $20K each and ranging from $4K to $50K, will fund various initiatives, including after-school activities, summer programming, in-school programs, college access and internship programs, mentoring, and programs for students with different abilities. Key recipients include Save Our Children, Lorain Public Library’s high-dosage tutoring program, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio.
2024 Education and Youth Development Grant Recipients
ACES Program $50,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County $50,000
Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio $45,000
Camp Imagine $15,000
College Now Greater Cleveland $25,000
Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio $15,000
Junior Achievement $17,000
Leadership Lorain County $30,000
Lorain Historical Society $40,000
Lorain Public Library System $15,000
National Inventors Hall of Fame $40,000
T3 Sports Foundation $5,000
Atmosphere Adventures $10,000
iN Education, Inc. $6,000
Leaders Of Today Inc$26,988
LifeAct $10,000
RePlay for Kids $7,500
Save Our Children $50,000
Tech Corps $25,000
Youth Challenge $20,000
Black River Innovative Artist Residence $5,000
Connecting for Kids $4,000
Educational Service Center of Lorain County $7,000
Empower Sports $5,000
Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio $5,000
Standout Productions Group/Scholastic Games $6,500
These grants align with several SDGs, including:
SDG 1: No Poverty – Supporting educational initiatives that help break the cycle of poverty.
SDG 4: Quality Education – Enhancing access to inclusive and equitable quality education.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Preparing young people for the workforce through career advising and internships.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Focusing on economically disadvantaged students and those with different abilities.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaborating with various donors and community organizations to achieve these goals.
Prominent donors like the William J. and Flora Hearn Durling Fund and the Julius W. Zajac Fund have supported educational initiatives. These funds have significantly supported College Now’s efforts, providing college advising to economically disadvantaged students in Clearview and Wellington Schools.
Another highlight is the Emma C. and Rosemary Miller Fund, which has awarded over $500K in grants and scholarships since 1993, supporting a wide range of community needs.
The Lorain Public Library System’s Level Up Tutoring program, funded by a $250K Libraries Accelerated Learning Grant, has shown significant positive outcomes. Eighty-five percent of participating families report increased confidence and engagement in literacy skills.
“This truly is the heart of our work at the Community Foundation of Lorain County,” added Simoneau. “We can make a meaningful impact through the dedication of our donors and the community. Thank you for your continued support.”
For more information about the Education and Youth Development grants, please contact Jamie Finley Simoneau at jsimoneau@peoplewhocare.org or 440.984.7390.