To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.
A $3,516,658 general-support grant to Russia Local Schools is the clearest signal of how the Community Foundation of Shelby County operates: large, place-based awards that move substantial resources into Shelby County institutions. The foundation’s recent grant history shows support for schools, civic organizations, medical and human-services providers, and cultural groups, with a strong emphasis on general support and community development. In 2025, Sidney Alive received $829,498 for general support, while other sizable awards went to the Sidney-Shelby Co YMCA, the Village of Russia, and the Sidney area’s nonprofit and public-service network. The foundation also backs organizations serving specific local needs rather than a narrow single-issue agenda. Grants have supported emergency assistance, history programs, arts efforts, medical support, and community revitalization. That mix of recipients suggests a broad civic role: sustaining core institutions, funding local infrastructure, and helping community organizations respond to immediate needs. Alongside its discretionary grants, the foundation administers scholarships and named funds, adding a structured layer to its local philanthropy.
Education is a major theme in the foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $3,516,658 to Russia Local Schools for general support, and awarded $119,849 and $107,204 to Lehman High School for equipment and educational support in 2024 and 2025. Scholarship programs also extend to high school seniors, skilled-trades students, and college/adult learners. Basic-needs and human-services work appears through grants such as $165,093 to Mercy Mission House Emergency in 2023 and $88,426 to Compassionate Care-Shelby Co in 2025 for medical support. Community development is another clear thread: the Village of Russia received $224,075 in 2025 and $160,000 in 2024 for community development, while The City of Sidney received $131,787 in 2024 for the same purpose. Arts and heritage also receive support, including $162,475 to Raise the Roof for Arts in 2024 and $152,650 to Shelby County Historical Society in 2023 for history programs.
Typical grants cluster around a median of $24,812, with a lower quartile of $10,546 and an upper quartile of $57,919. That spread shows a mix of modest local awards and much larger institutional grants. The foundation’s recent list includes repeat recipients across multiple years, such as Sidney Alive, Sidney-Shelby Co YMCA, Raise the Roof for Arts, Rustic Hope, Mercy Mission House, and Shelby County Historical Society, indicating ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts. It operates as a mixed community foundation with donor-advised, designated, field-of-interest, scholarship, and unrestricted funds. It also makes grants through competitive community programs and scholarship applications. Several giving channels accept unsolicited applications, including scholarships, Match Day, Community Grants, Keep Art in Your HeART, and Louise Sheets Grants.
$6.2M
$66.1M
$10.4M
$8.7M
Most grants fall between $11K and $58K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$11K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$58K
MICHAEL LOCHARD
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Giving is overwhelmingly local. Of the grants in the supplied data, 96% go to recipients in Ohio, and every listed recipient is in the United States. Recent awards are concentrated in Shelby County communities, especially Sidney and Russia. Sidney appears frequently through organizations such as Sidney Alive, the Sidney-Shelby Co YMCA, Lehman High School, Mercy Mission House, and the Shelby County Historical Society. Russia also stands out through Russia Local Schools, the Village of Russia, and Rustic Hope.
The foundation supports local schools, community development groups, arts and history organizations, medical and human-services providers, food and shelter programs, and faith-based organizations. Recent grants include Russia Local Schools, Sidney Alive, the Sidney-Shelby Co YMCA, Mercy Mission House, and Shelby County Historical Society.
Typical grants are modest-to-mid-sized, with a p25 of $10,546, a median of $24,812, and a p75 of $57,919. The recent list also shows much larger awards, including seven-figure and six-figure grants to major local institutions.
It does both. The recent grants list includes general support, community development, equipment and educational support, medical support, and history programs. The foundation also administers donor-advised, designated, field-of-interest, scholarship, and unrestricted funds, which can generate periodic or one-time grants.
The foundation runs scholarship programs for graduating high school seniors, skilled-trades students, and college/adult students. The scholarship awards are typically $1,000–$1,500, and applicants use the foundation’s online scholarship application process.
Very local. The stated scope is local, 96% of grants go to recipients in Ohio, and the recent grants list is entirely U.S.-based. Most named recipients are in Sidney and Russia, both in Shelby County.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Community Foundation of Shelby County that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Restricted to organizations in or serving residents within the boundaries of the Botkins Local School District.
Deadline: Spring cycle opens February 15 and closes March 31. Fall cycle opens August 15 and closes September 30. Awards are made in the last week of April or October.
Who can apply: Programs must provide arts education benefiting children from Shelby County, Ohio, in grades K-12.
Deadline: Opens August 6 annually; deadline October 15 annually; awards are made in the last week of October.
Who can apply: Restricted to organizations in or serving residents within the boundaries of the Russia Local School District.
Deadline: Opens August 15 annually; deadline September 20 annually; awards are made in the last week of October.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RUSSIA LOCAL SCHOOLS | RUSSIA, OH | $3,516,658 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VILLAGE OF RUSSIA | RUSSIA, OH | $224,075 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMEN |
| SIDNEY-SHELBY CO YMCA | SIDNEY, OH | $128,455 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LEHMAN HIGH SCHOOL | SIDNEY, OH | $107,204 | 2025 | EQUIPMENT AND EDUCAT |
| RAISE THE ROOF FOR ARTS | SIDNEY, OH | $97,415 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMPASSIONATE CARE-SHELBY CO | SIDNEY, OH | $88,426 | 2025 | MEDICAL SUPPORT |
| SHELBY COUNTY UNITED WAY | SIDNEY, OH | $88,107 | 2025 | COMUNITY SUPPORT |
| RUSTIC HOPE | RUSSIA, OH | $84,966 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MORGANS PLACE CEMETARY INC | SIDNEY, OH | $84,115 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC CHURCH | SIDNEY, OH | $81,128 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MERCY MISSION HOUSE | SIDNEY, OH | $73,756 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AGAPE DISTRIBUTIONS | SIDNEY, OH | $63,893 | 2025 | FOOD PROGRAM |
| GRANTS UNDER 2500 | — | $63,755 | 2025 | — |
| SHELBY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | SIDNEY, OH | $60,790 | 2025 | HISTORY PROGRAMS |
| ALPHA COMMUNITY CENTER | SIDNEY, OH | $59,988 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SIDNEY ALIVE | SIDNEY, OH | $59,930 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OPERATION REBIRTH | ST PARIS, OH | $56,534 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW CHOICES | SIDNEY, OH | $55,433 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST REMY CHURCH | RUSSIA, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMEN |
| ANNA RESCUE SQUAD | ANNA, OH | $49,038 | 2025 | MEDICAL EQUIPMENT |
| FORT LORAMIE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION | FT LORAMIE, OH | $48,970 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF MIAMI & SHE | TROY, OH | $46,765 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SENIOR CENTER OF SIDNEY-SHELBY COUN | SIDNEY, OH | $46,700 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST PAULS UNITED CHRUCH OF CHRIST | SIDNEY, OH | $44,000 | 2025 | BUILDING FUND |
| SHELBY CO ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION | SIDNEY, OH | $42,615 | 2025 | RELEASE OF ASSETS |
| ANNA CIVIC ASSOCIATION INC | SIDNEY, OH | $40,861 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES OF MIAMI V | SIDNEY, OH | $36,378 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS | SIDNEY, OH | $30,468 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ELIZABETH'S NEW LIFE CENTER | DAYTON, OH | $29,728 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| S & H PRODUCTS | SIDNEY, OH | $29,308 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VINYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CHURCH | BELLEFONTAINE, OH | $29,042 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMEN |
| FIRST UNITED METHODIST FOUND OF SID | SIDNEY, OH | $26,610 | 2025 | RELEASE OF ASSETS |
| SHELBY COUNTY ARC | SIDNEY, OH | $23,210 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAMARITAN WORKS INC | SIDNEY, OH | $22,555 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MIDWEST REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVIC | SIDNEY, OH | $22,266 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES |
| SIDNEY AMATEUR BASEBALL | SIDNEY, OH | $21,550 | 2025 | EQUIP AND GENERAL |
| CHARITY LEAGUE | SIDNEY, OH | $20,525 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHELBY COUNTY PICKLEBALL | SIDNEY, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WE | CINCINNATI, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | FOUNDERS CIRCLE CAMP |
| SPIRITUAL CENTER MARIA STEIN | MARIA STEIN, OH | $19,960 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMEN |
| BOTKINS YOUTH BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL | BOTKINS, OH | $19,900 | 2025 | BUILDING FUND |
| FORT LOARMIE EDUCATION FOUNDATION | FORT LOARMIE, OH | $19,713 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHELBY COUNTY LIBRARIES | SIDNEY, OH | $19,695 | 2025 | BUILDING FUNDS |
| BOTKINS EDUCATION FOUNDATION | BOTKINS, OH | $19,435 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | LYNCHBURG, VA | $16,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOTKINS AREA COMMUNITY CLUB | BOTKINS, OH | $16,105 | 2025 | BUILDING FUND |
| CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SCHOOLS | SIDNEY, OH | $16,000 | 2025 | BUILDING PROJECT |
| ROTARY CLUB OF SIDNEY | SIDNEY, OH | $15,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF ST REMY | RUSSIA, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST MICHAEL CHURCH | FORT LORAMIE, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
RUSSIA LOCAL SCHOOLS
$3,516,658GENERAL SUPPORT
VILLAGE OF RUSSIA
$224,075COMMUNITY DEVELOPMEN
SIDNEY-SHELBY CO YMCA
$128,455GENERAL SUPPORT
LEHMAN HIGH SCHOOL
$107,204EQUIPMENT AND EDUCAT
RAISE THE ROOF FOR ARTS
$97,415GENERAL SUPPORT
SHELBY COUNTY UNITED WAY
$88,107COMUNITY SUPPORT
RUSTIC HOPE
$84,966GENERAL SUPPORT
MORGANS PLACE CEMETARY INC
$84,115GENERAL SUPPORT
HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC CHURCH
$81,128GENERAL SUPPORT
MERCY MISSION HOUSE
$73,756GENERAL SUPPORT
AGAPE DISTRIBUTIONS
$63,893FOOD PROGRAM
GRANTS UNDER 2500
$63,755ALPHA COMMUNITY CENTER
$59,988PROGRAM SUPPORT
SIDNEY ALIVE
$59,930GENERAL SUPPORT
OPERATION REBIRTH
$56,534GENERAL SUPPORT
NEW CHOICES
$55,433GENERAL SUPPORT
ST REMY CHURCH
$50,000RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMEN
ANNA RESCUE SQUAD
$49,038MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
FORT LORAMIE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
$48,970GENERAL SUPPORT
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF MIAMI & SHE
$46,765GENERAL SUPPORT
SENIOR CENTER OF SIDNEY-SHELBY COUN
$46,700GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST PAULS UNITED CHRUCH OF CHRIST
$44,000BUILDING FUND
SHELBY CO ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION
$42,615RELEASE OF ASSETS
ANNA CIVIC ASSOCIATION INC
$40,861GENERAL SUPPORT
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS
$30,468PROGRAM SUPPORT
S & H PRODUCTS
$29,308PROGRAM SUPPORT
VINYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
$29,042RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMEN
FIRST UNITED METHODIST FOUND OF SID
$26,610RELEASE OF ASSETS
SHELBY COUNTY ARC
$23,210GENERAL SUPPORT
SAMARITAN WORKS INC
$22,555GENERAL SUPPORT
MIDWEST REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVIC
$22,266EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
SIDNEY AMATEUR BASEBALL
$21,550EQUIP AND GENERAL
CHARITY LEAGUE
$20,525GENERAL SUPPORT
SHELBY COUNTY PICKLEBALL
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WE
$20,000FOUNDERS CIRCLE CAMP
SPIRITUAL CENTER MARIA STEIN
$19,960RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMEN
BOTKINS YOUTH BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL
$19,900BUILDING FUND
FORT LOARMIE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$19,713GENERAL SUPPORT
SHELBY COUNTY LIBRARIES
$19,695BUILDING FUNDS
BOTKINS EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$19,435GENERAL SUPPORT
VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
$16,250GENERAL SUPPORT
BOTKINS AREA COMMUNITY CLUB
$16,105BUILDING FUND
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SCHOOLS
$16,000BUILDING PROJECT
ROTARY CLUB OF SIDNEY
$15,500GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF ST REMY
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST MICHAEL CHURCH
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT