Grantee Stories

Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters. — Margaret Wheatley Two years ago, two Toledo arts organizations had a conversation. No one knew at the outset that it would matter quite as much as it did. But at … Read More

A Community Joins Forces to Battle Human Trafficking Two decades ago, victims of human trafficking in northwest Ohio — and indeed, in most of the nation — faced bleak prospects. Labeled as criminals, they had little hope of escaping those who … Read More

Ninety-five years ago, Toledo’s “wayward women” were housed in the local jail. Seeing that these women were more victims than perpitrators, Helen Beach, the wife of Toledo’s legendary Mayor, Golden Rule Jones, gave her home to create what is now … Read More

Read about the Library’s early literacy program When the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library (TLCPL) set out to reassess its programs and staffing after state budget cuts in 2009, three significant facts led to the adoption of an early literacy program … Read More

Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo It all began with a Christmas dinner for 102 rough-and-tumble newsboys in 1892. Realizing that those struggling boys needed much more than a holiday meal, John Gunckel solicited support from community leaders and went … Read More

Jenna Perez, 13, never thought spending a summer at the Catholic Club’s Summer Camp would open up an entirely new and exciting world for her. “Because I couldn’t stay home alone, I had to go to the Catholic Club last … Read More

Since the Civil War, children have found an activity-filled place to get their little lives off to a good start at Toledo Day Nursery. Operating from four locations in Toledo, the Nursery offers children of working and student parents quality, … Read More

“Thank you for letting me go to the zoo. I saw a lion and it was cool,” wrote one amazed Fulton Elementary School student after a Toledo Community Foundation supported school field trip. For a child, a school field trip … Read More

William Lewis, age 50, knows exactly what he wants to do in his life. He wants to get his GED and read a book to his grandsons. With grants from the Toledo Community Foundation to Read for Literacy, William is … Read More

Showcasing Nature’s Heritage Kitty Todd was a woman of conviction. Before her death in 1980, she helped lead the charge to preserve and protect one of the highest concentrations of rare species of any nature preserve in Ohio. A dedicated … Read More

Glass House Writing Project Affects Lives With all of the problems in the world today, it’s easy to feel that a solution to those problems would require an army of people, dedicated to making the world a better place.  But … Read More

Women Reach Potentials Research has shown that a woman with a college degree will earn 75 percent more than a woman possessing solely a high school diploma. But beyond this simple earnings statistic, the University of Toledo’s Catherine S. Eberly … Read More

As a little kid Nick Francis, a 2010 Toledo Technology Academy graduate, had a special passion for Halloween. His decorations and parties were frightful.     Banking on an entrepreneurial hunch that others adore the spooky time of the year, Nick formed … Read More

Many low- and moderate-income individuals and families in the community are eligible for various public benefits, but do not know what is available or how to apply.  Often it takes several visits to multiple agencies to get the help they … Read More

Sight, the ability to see the world with which we interact on a daily basis, is a gift most of us take for granted. Being able to see the “on” switch for the coffee pot, noticing the obstacles in our … Read More

After serving free meals to neighbors of Jamie Farr Park in Toledo for nearly 20 years, volunteers were getting a little too old to round up the donations and cook the food. They didn’t want to see the program end … Read More

Mountain Mentors began in 1984 with the mission of “empowering at-risk teens through one-on-one mentoring to make positive life choices.” Established as an alternative-to-incarceration program, the organization pairs adults and youth in mentoring relationships. Fostering life skills through various activities, … Read More

When Kelly first learned of Chrysalis — northwest Ohio’s only inpatient drug treatment program for expectant mothers — she was pregnant, drug-addicted, and on her way to prison. So her turnaround in the program has been nothing short of remarkable. … Read More

From its beginnings, Center of Hope Family Services has had the mission “Fostering resilience across the lifespan.” And as the Center has continued to develop innovative programs to empower disadvantaged area residents, Toledo Community Foundation has been a partner. Read More