The Mary Rutan Foundation has invested $39,862 through its 2026-2027 Community Wellness Grant Program to support initiatives focused on youth mental health, youth healthy living, and senior care.
Funding was awarded to 18 organizations and schools supporting 20 programs that will serve children, families, and older adults throughout the community.
The funded programs represent a broad range of community wellness efforts, including student wellness initiatives, food security programs, youth recreation opportunities, family support services, independent living education, senior nutrition services, and projects that improve access to essential health and hygiene resources.
Among the initiatives receiving support are programs that provide care closet resources for students, promote literacy and positive behaviors in schools, offer adventure experiences for children facing life-threatening illnesses, deliver meals and wellness checks to homebound seniors, expand access to nutritious food, provide support to individuals and families living with disabilities, and enhance community spaces that encourage active lifestyles.
“The strength of this year’s grant program reflects the dedication of organizations and schools working every day to improve the health and well-being of others,” said Bobbie Trittschuh, Executive Director of the Mary Rutan Foundation. “We are proud to invest in programs that create opportunities, address important needs, and contribute to a healthier, stronger community.”
The Mary Rutan Foundation established its Community Wellness Grant Program in 2014 to foster partnerships that promote and support community well-being.
Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $500,000 to organizations committed to improving the lives of area residents.
Many of these initiatives continue to make a lasting impact through sustained partnerships and additional funding support.
2026-2027 Community Wellness Grant Recipients
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
- Bellefontaine High School, $1,500 – Opportunity Program
- Bellefontaine Middle School, $1,400 – Care Closet
- Benjamin Logan Middle School, $1,300 – Being a Girl at Benjamin Logan Middle ROX!
- Calvary Christian School, $2,000 – Project Playground
- Indian Lake Elementary School, $550 – A Quiet, Calm Corner
- Indian Lake Middle School, $500 – We Are Glad You’re Here
- Peak of Hope Homeless Shelter, $2,100 – The Bridge to Independence Program
- Where the Church Meets, $1,000 – Teens of Progress
YOUTH HEALTHY LIVING
- A Kid Again, $2,500 – Adventures for Logan County Families
- Benjamin Logan Middle School, $2,400 – Book Vending Machine for Ben Logan Middle PBIS System
- Indian Lake Elementary School, $2,500 – Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs
- Indian Lake Schools, $3,000 – The Lake Effect: Student Health and Hygiene Initiative
- Logan County Ag Society, $2,500 – Growing Healthy Kids
- Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities Foundation, $2,500 – Family Support Services
- Logan County Neighborhood Outreach, $500 – Fishing for Change
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Clark, Champaign, and Logan Counties, $2,500 – Food Distributions
- West Liberty Lions Foundation, $5,000 – Walking Path Repaving
- West Liberty-Salem Athletic Boosters, $1,000 – Stronger Together: Cardio, Recovery & Community Wellness at WL-S
SENIOR CARE
- LifeCare Alliance, $3,000 – Meals-on-Wheels in Logan County
- YMCA of Central Ohio, $2,112 – Active Older Adults
