Bryan Area Foundation Grants Given
Since its founding in 1969, the Bryan Area Foundation and affiliate Foundations have issued over $11.2 million in grants to a wide spectrum of community-based projects and programs. These encompass recreation, education, athletics, cultural activities, youth and senior citizen programs.
2024 – 2025 Grants
Village of Edgerton Community Center ($25,000)
The Bryan Area Foundation awarded a $25,000 matching grant to the Village of Edgerton to help with the construction of a new community center at Miller Park. The proposed project, a 7,800 square-foot space, will include a warming kitchen, ADA-compliant restrooms, an exterior deck and patio overlooking the pond, energy-efficient lighting, and underground utilities. Additionally, ADA-compliant pedestrian sidewalks and an entryway will be installed to ensure accessibility for all members of the community, county, and region. The newly formed Edgerton Development Foundation matched the funds with its own $25,000.
Pictured during the check presentation and ground-breaking ceremony are, left to right, Bryan Area Foundation President and CEO Amy Miller, Edgerton Park Board representative Bill Swank, Edgerton City Council representative Jason Gruver, Village of Edgerton Mayor Robert Day, Beilharz Architects representative Kent Purk, General Contractor Mel Lanzer Company representative Lyndsey Lucas, and Edgerton Development Foundation representative Mike Krill.
City of Bryan Parks and Recreation Department ($35,000)
The Bryan Area Foundation awarded a $35,000 grant to the City of Bryan Parks and Recreation Department to help pay for a pedestrian pathway in East End Park. To be completed by early fall, the new .3-mile loop in and around East End Park will provide Bryan residents with another walking, jogging, and biking pathway for leisure and exercise. It will be eight feet wide and made of concrete, allowing non-motorized pedestrians the ability to use the pathway, weather permitting, all year round.Â
Pictured left to right during the check presentation are Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee member Carolyn Sharrock-Dorsten, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee chair Mark Miller, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee members Mike Johnson and Steve Voigt, City of Bryan Parks and Recreation Department Director Ben Dominique, and Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee member Cliff Oberlin.
Bryan Youth Activities Fund ($7,500)
The Bryan Youth Activities Fund, held at the Bryan Area Foundation, awarded $7,500 in grants to various Bryan, Ohio, youth sports groups. Each program recipient will use the money for their diverse athletic needs, ultimately allowing more local children to participate in that sport and instill in all competitors the value of teamwork, healthy lifestyles, leadership, and determination.
Pictured left to right in the front row during the check presentation are Bryan Swim Team Association representative Nichole Wallace, Bryan Little Bears Football Program representative Jessica Watson, and Bryan Youth Basketball representative Shelly Smith. Pictured in the second row left to right are Bryan Girl’s Softball Association representative Brett Cordy, Bryan Soccer Association representative Natalie Smith, Bryan Baseball Association representative Ryan Miller, Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller, and Bryan Swim Team Association representative Jennifer Martin.
Village of West Unity Inclusive Playground ($30,000)
The Bryan Area Foundation awarded the Village of West Unity, Ohio, a $30,000 grant to help them build an inclusive playground at Wabash Park. This new recreational area will provide children and families of all physical, mental, and social abilities with the opportunity to learn, play, and grow together. It will also offer children on the south side of West Unity a park closer to their home, and it sits next to the Wabash Cannonball Trail.
Pictured during the check presentation, left to right, are Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller, Village of West Unity Mayor Don Leu, and Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee member Larry Harsila.
Sauder Village/Carolyn Sauder Education Center ($20,000)
The Bryan Area Foundation awarded Sauder Village a $20,000 grant for technology in the new Carolyn Sauder Education Center, which has three flexible classrooms, offices, and preparation space. The money will help pay for Smart Boards, OWLS cameras, and audio equipment that will greatly expand their educational offerings beyond the Historic Village season, providing more accessibility to additional schools, youth groups, and adults in person and virtually year-round. The official grand opening of the Carolyn Sauder Education Center will be on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Pictured during the check presentation are, left to right in the front row, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee chair Mark Miller, Sauder Village Visitor Experience and Evaluation Manager Sarah Rupp, Sauder Village Adult Education Manager Deb Ridgway, Sauder Village Education Coordinator Tammi Barr, Sauder Village Curator of Collections Tracie Evans, and Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee member Cliff Oberlin. In the back row are Sauder Village Director of Historic Operations Sheri Friesner, Sauder Village Daily Manager Cathy Croninger, Sauder Village Collections Associate Lida Griser, and Sauder Village Collections Staff member Rebecca Landin.
The Sanctuary Homeless Shelter ($15,000)
The Sanctuary Homeless Shelter ​received a $15,000 grant from the Bryan Area Foundation to help it replace its carpeting. Vinyl flooring will be installed that is long-lasting, scratch—and burn-resistant, waterproof, and more manageable. The goal is to have the work done by the end of the year, so guests have a clean, healthy, and safe environment for living.
Pictured during the check presentation are left to right Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee member Larry Harsila, Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller, Sanctuary Homeless Shelter Director of Pastoral Care Pheba Banerjee-Sam, and Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee member Mike Johnson.
Williams County Family YMCA ($10,000)
A $10,000 grant was awarded to the Williams County Family YMCA enabling them to purchase the necessary equipment for community members to maintain their cardiac health. This resource, formerly at Parkview Bryan Hospital, will now be available at the Williams County Family YMCA 24 hours a day. The monies will help acquire a NuStep Cross Trainer, two LifeFitness UBE Armcranks, and a commercial-grade blood pressure kiosk.
Pictured during the check presentation are Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller, Bryan Area Foundation Board Chair Steve Hess, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee Chair Mark Miller, Williams County Family YMCA CEO Daniel Tinch, and Bryan Area Foundation Grant Committee Members Steve Voigt and Cliff Oberlin.
Lily Creek Farms ($30,000)
Lily Creek Farms was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Bryan Area Foundation for capital improvements to their therapeutic riding center. The funds will be used to upgrade bathrooms for ADA compliance, purchase a sawdust wagon, and improve lighting and electrical configurations, providing greater accessibility, operational efficiency, and support to their vocational program. Currently, 40% of Lily Creek Farms’ clients are from Williams County.
Participating in the check presentation from left to right are Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller, Lily Creek Farms Quarter Horse Stetson, Lily Creek Farms Founder/Executive Director Jami Young, and Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee Chair Mark Miller.
Williams County Parks/Goldie Newman Dog Park ($20,000)
Whippet/Beagle mix Lexi and Shih Tzu Charlie are excited that the Bryan Area Foundation is awarding the Williams County Parks a $20,000 grant to help develop the Goldie Newman Dog Park at 7424 State Route 15, Bryan, Ohio. To open in late summer or early fall of 2025 from dawn to dusk, the new park will feature two separate gated sections with a large dog side at 0.75 acres and a small dog side at 0.30 acres. The park will also have pedestrian entry gates, benches, waste stations, and lighting surrounded by a chain-link fence.
Pictured during the check presentation are Lexi and her owner, Williams County Highway Safety Director Steve Humphrey, Williams County Park Commissioner Rod Miller, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Committee member Mike Johnson, Charlie and his owner Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller, Williams County Park Commissioner Robert Tressler, and Williams County Engineer Todd Roth.
Sandy Cay, Inc. ($10,000)
Sandy Cay, Inc., received a $10,000 grant from the Bryan Area Foundation to assist in renovating their north campus. The monies will help them purchase and install window replacements, new vinyl plank flooring in half the building, and two new doors in the back part of the educational center. The funds will enable the nonprofit to continue to improve programs for students ages 3-22 on the autism spectrum.
Pictured accepting the check are front row left to right students Anthony Cline, Grace Joseph, Alec Blinzler, Sully Joseph, Channing Rhoden, and educational center director Kathleen Ewonus. In the second row left to right are Bryan Area Foundation President and CEO Amy Miller, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee Chair Mark Miller, and Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee Member Larry Harsila.
2024 – 2025 Founders Grants
Kate's Kart, Inc. ($2,500)
The Bryan Area Foundation awarded a $2,500 grant to Kate’s Kart, Inc., a pediatric book gifting program at Parkview Bryan Hospital. Started in 2008 by the Layman Family in loving memory of their daughter, Kate, who was born with a congenital heart defect and spent much of her life in the hospital, enduring multiple medical procedures before passing away at the tender age of 18 months.
After her death, Kate’s family was inspired to do something to encourage others who spent time in the hospital. They started giving away new books to children at their local hospital in honor of Kate and her love of books.
This effort has flourished into Kate’s Kart, Inc., a nonprofit organization serving 25 Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio hospitals. Through the generous support of the community, a team of over 100 volunteers and hospital staff gives more than 4,000 new books every month to scared and hurt children and their families. The Bryan Area Foundation’s grant will help purchase more books and continue the program here at Parkview Bryan Hospital.
Pictured during the check presentation are Kate’s Kart Co-Founder and Executive Director Krista Layman, Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller, and Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee member Larry Harsila.
First Lutheran Church of Stryker, Ohio ($2,000)
Last year, the First Lutheran Church of Stryker, Ohio, partnered with Bridging the Gap Ministry to offer free backpacks and school supplies to families in Williams County. Over 900 children received these items, and on the last day of the giveaway, all recipients participated in a back-to-school event with games, activities, and food.
With the anticipated additional need for these items and increased costs, the Bryan Area Foundation awarded the First Lutheran Church of Stryker a $2,000 grant. It will help the young people return to school in the fall with the necessary supplies and be able to focus on their learning.
Pictured during the check presentation are Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee member Larry Harsila, First Lutheran Church of Stryker member and Service Committee Chair Jody Freeman, and Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller.
Flair on the Square/Bryan Development ($2,500)
Flair on the Square/Bryan Development will receive a $2,500 grant from the Bryan Area Foundation to help purchase tents, tables, and chairs for the annual fine arts festival on Saturday, July 26. This free event, held around the historic Williams County Courthouse, features a juried art fair, live music, dance performances, hands-on art opportunities, delicious culinary treats, and a local fresh market.Â
Pictured left to right during the check presentation are Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee member Larry Harsila, Flair on the Square Music Chair Teresa Maynard, Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller, and Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee chair Mark Miller.
Recovery Services of Northwest Ohio ($2,500)
The Recovery Services of Northwest Ohio, Inc. received a $2,500 check from the Bryan Area Foundation to drill a new well at the Serenity Spring Women’s Recovery House. Serving Williams, Fulton, Henry, and Defiance County areas, this home helps women aged 18 and over recover from alcohol/substance addiction issues. Serenity Spring Women’s Recovery House is a safe, sober living environment where residents can continue their healing journey, enabling them to eventually gain employment, reunite with their families, and become productive citizens in their community.
Pictured left to right during the check presentation are Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee member Larry Harsila, Recovery Services of Northwest Ohio CEO Ruth Peck, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee chair Mark Miller, Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller, and Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee member Steve Voigt.
Williams County Humane Society ($2,500)
The Williams County Humane Society received a $2,500 grant from the Bryan Area Foundation to assist with the overpopulation of outside cats in the county. The funds will help the nonprofit safely capture, vaccinate, medically treat, and find a forever home for the animals.
Pictured from left to right, during the check presentation holding three of the seven twelve-week-old terrier mixed puppies available for adoption, are Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee member Larry Harsila, Williams County Humane Society Executive Director Alicia Strup, and Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller.
Bryan Elementary Parent Teacher Organization-Bryan Bear Bags ($2,500)
The Bryan Elementary Parent Teacher Organization supports the Bryan Bear Bags program, which started in 2010 and exists to provide nutritious food over the weekend to Bryan City School students and their families with food insecurity. Entirely funded by individual donations and community food drives, the average number of weekly bags sent home this school year has been 73. To help the program continue providing access to needed food, The Bryan Area Foundation awarded the Bryan Bear Bags a $2,500 grant, which will improve the quality of life for families in Northwest Ohio.
Pictured during the check presentation are, left to right, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Committee member Cliff Oberlin, Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller, Bryan Bear Bags volunteer Julie Cummins, and Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making committee member Steve Voigt.Â
Williams County Special Olympics ($2,500)
The Bryan Area Foundation awarded a $2,500 grant to the Williams County Special Olympics to help pay for athletes and coaches to attend the 2025 Summer Games. Held in Columbus over a weekend, the monies will help pay for hotels, meals, and entry fees. This past summer, Williams County had 26 athletes, and nine coaches participate in the games, and they anticipate even more competitors in 2025.
Pictured during the check presentation are left to right Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee member Cliff Oberlin, track athlete Dawson Moore, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee member Steve Voigt, track athlete Daniel Bell, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee member Bill Martin, track athlete Alex Miller, Williams County Special Olympics Local Coordinator Angela Luke, and Williams County Special Olympics Assistant Coordinator and Coach Beth Votaw.
Sarah's Friends ($2,240)
Sarah’s Friends was awarded a $2,240 grant from the Bryan Area Foundation to be used for a new collaborative partnership with Hosanna Horse Haven. The monies will help survivors of crime in Williams County participate in a therapeutic horseback riding/healing curriculum. This therapy program will benefit seven survivors with eight weeks of riding services.
Pictured during the check presentation are left to right Bryan Area Foundation Grant Committee member Larry Harsila, rescued and therapy horse Jessa, Hosanna Horse Haven President Will Allomong, Sarah’s Friends Executive Director Katie Shaffer, and Hosanna Horse Haven Director Lisa Allomong.
Golden Bear Sports Network ($2,313.45)
The Golden Bear Sports Network (GBSN) was awarded a $2,313.45 grant from the Bryan Area Foundation. The monies will be used to purchase a Starlink satellite internet service ensuring reliable connectivity for livestreaming of Bryan High School sports and arts events. This will enhance broadcast quality, improve the viewer experience, and provide better learning opportunities for student broadcasters. It will also allow viewers living out of town or unable to attend, to watch online. The grant will cover the first year of service, and future sponsorships on the network will pay for subsequent years.
Pictured during the check presentation are left to right Bryan High School Superintendent Mark Rairigh, Bryan Area Foundation President/CEO Amy Miller, Bryan Area Foundation Board Chair Steve Hess, Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee Chair Mark Miller, Bryan High School Director of Media Communications and Bryan Area Foundation member Chris Malanga, and Bryan Area Foundation Grant Making Committee Member Steve Voigt.