The Board of Trustees of The Portage Foundation recently granted over $7,000 in funding to 12 Portage County agencies and programs. According to Ralph Kletzien, Executive Director, The Portage Foundation has awarded over $110,000 in grants to more than 40 agencies since its first grant in 2000. Grant recipients include:
• The Portage County District Library to expand library services to Deerfield
• The Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities to develop a horticulture program for its Adult Services Workshop
• Coleman Professional Services in support of Adult Day Services in Ravenna
• The Kidney Foundation of Ohio to assist with medication and transportation for patients
• Rebuilding Together to support the annual Senior Service day in Kent/Ravenna
• Robinson Memorial Hospital Foundation for its Visiting Nurse and Hospice programs
• The Sister Jordan Committee for the County Clothing Center, Center of Hope and Kent Social Services
In addition, the Board distributed scholarships to a Ravenna High School student from the Douglas Cowell Memorial Scholarship Fund and to a Crestwood High School student from the Bernie Kosar Scholarship Fund. Deborah Drago, Board President commented “The Portage Foundation is proud to help so many organizations in the County to do their important work for our residents. We thank all our donors that have made these grants possible.”
The Foundation funds projects in six areas: health, human services, economic development, education, environment, and arts and culture. Kletzien said, “As a community foundation our mission is to look to the well-being of the total community, making grants that reflect the changing nature of needs in an area.”
Contact the foundation at 330-474-0480 or visit their website at www.portagefoundation.org for information on contributing or to apply for a grant.
