GALION, Ohio – Nonprofits in Galion now have another possible funding source. Representatives of nonprofits and other interested residents met with the Freese Grant Advisory Board on Jan. 23 to learn about the new Freese Grant application process.
The Egbert M. Freese Foundation was established in 1961 through the will of Horace E. Freese. Page 2 of the handwritten will states, “The City of Galion may use the income from this fund for college scholarships to worthy high school graduates, for the upkeep of improvement of city parks or for any other purposes.” The Freese Foundation sets aside 1/8 of the income for college scholarships and 7/8 for park improvements and the like.
The Freese Grant Advisory Board is an entity of the city that now oversees the yearly disbursement of funds that the city receives from the Freese Foundation. Established in December 2014, the board is comprised of the mayor, the safety service director, the president of council and two residents, Gar Gledhill and Lonnie Eagle.
The city’s portion of funds has now been opened to nonprofits for capital projects that would enhance quality of life in Galion. The nonprofit applying must match 25 percent of the funding for the project. Approximately $600,000 is available.
“I think we have a chance to change some things,” said Mayor Tom O’Leary, “to change the quality of life in Galion.”
The project should be a capital improvement project, said O’Leary, suggesting possible projects as a new roof, a new boiler, or other building improvements, new transportation or other large expenditure needed by the non-profit.
Two things are different about this grant, said O’Leary. One is that the application process will happen four times per year, as opposed to the standard annual application process, to help with project cycles. The second unique attribute is that the application is only two pages long. “Those who have dealt with state grants know how complicated they can be,” he said.
The primary business or entity applying must reside within the corporate limits of Galion. According to the ordinance: “… the City of Galion, Galion City Schools, and any non-profit corporation that has a registered address and conducts its primary business within the corporate limits of Galion, Ohio …”
The city itself is also eligible to apply for grant funds. Two projects currently considered are the East Park Splash Park and the Amann’s Cabin project.
Some of the nonprofits represented at Friday’s meeting were Sara Beegle Daycare Center, the Galion Senior Center, the Galion Public Library, the Galion Community Theatre, the Galion Historical Society, Galion Preservation LLC, Galion Alumni Association, the Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion, the Avita Foundation, the Connections Weekend Committee, the YMCA, sports groups, booster groups and churches.
The advisory board will meet quarterly to review grant applications. The next meeting of the Freese Grant Advisory Board will be in April.
First applications for grant funds are due Thursday, Feb. 12 at 4 p.m. to the mayor’s office. For more information call the city at 419-468-1857 or the city law director’s office at 419-468-1823. For copies of the Freese Grant Advisory Board ordinance contact the city as well.
