About Ohio & Erie Canal Association
To preserve, celebrate, and promote the history, culture, natural resources and recreational opportunities of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area and to support community and economic development across the Canalway region.
Focus Areas
historic preservationnatural resource conservationtrails and outdoor recreationheritage tourismcommunity developmenteducation and interpretation
Who They Fund
local neighborhood residentsmunicipalities and local government partnersrecreational users (trail and waterway users)
Funding Style
place-based fundingcapital/infrastructure support
About Ohio & Erie Canal Association
The Ohio & Erie Canal Association’s grantmaking is built around one place: the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area. Its funding is aimed at preserving and interpreting canal history while supporting recreation, conservation, and community and economic development across the Canalway region. The active program language ties grants to projects, plans, and programs aligned with the Corridor Management Plan, with federal funds distributed to local partners. Recent awards show that the association backs both large restoration work and smaller community-facing projects. Canalway Partners in Cleveland received $109,652 for restoration in 2023, while the Ohio & Erie Canal Coalition in Akron received $65,000 for restoration that same year. The pattern continues across subsequent years with canal development, trail work, and community development awards to local organizations and municipalities. The foundation’s grantmaking is place-based and project-based, with recipients serving the heritage area’s communities and trail users. Its focus areas include historic preservation, natural resource conservation, trails and outdoor recreation, heritage tourism, community development, and education and interpretation. Leadership is listed as Michael Hudecek.
What Ohio & Erie Canal Association Funds
Historic preservation is a core theme in the association’s giving. It awarded $50,000 to the Conservancy CVNP in Peninsula for restoration, and it also supported restoration work for Historic Gateway Neighborhood in Cleveland with $15,000 in 2023. Canal and trail infrastructure are another recurring emphasis. Canalway Partners received $50,220 in 2024 for canal development, while the City of New Franklin in Akron got $11,200 in 2025 for trail development. Community development appears alongside heritage and recreation work. The Ohio & Erie Canal Coalition received $56,500 in 2025 for community development, and the Historic Warehouse District in Cleveland received $30,000 for the same purpose. The association also funded local interpretation and historic-resource work through groups such as the Akron History Center.
How Ohio & Erie Canal Association Gives
Typical grant size sits at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $41,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list shows both larger project awards and many awards clustered around the $10,000 to $15,000 range, suggesting a mix of anchor grants and smaller project support. Grantmaking is recurring rather than one-off for some partners. Canalway Partners appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; the Ohio & Erie Canal Coalition appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and several other recipients also reappear across years. The foundation uses strategic initiatives and a Strategic Initiatives Program, and the program is described as competitive. Unsolicited applications are not accepted for the strategic initiatives distribution program.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$206K
Total Assets
$545K
Total Revenue
$579K
Total Expenses
$578K
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $41K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$41K
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
Michael Hudecek
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