Community Foundation of Shelby County
The Community Foundation of Shelby County is a public charity based in Sidney, Ohio. Formed in 1952, it supports area nonprofit and community organizations and provides scholarships to area students and support for education in the community.
Key facts about Community Foundation of Shelby County
In short: Community Foundation of Shelby County gave $6.2M across 88 grants in 2024 (avg $71K), mostly in Ohio. 33% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 34-6565194
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,224,265
- Grants made (2024)
- 88
- Average grant
- $70,730
- Median grant
- $17,843
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (29 of 88, 2024)
- Total assets
- $66,078,861
- Primary geography
- Ohio (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- For Community Grants, contact the Scholarships and Grants Manager to discuss the request and seek permission to apply; approved applicants submit an online proposal. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- Community Grants have spring and fall cycles.
- Next open deadline
- October 15, 2026 (Arts Grants - Keep Art in Your HeART (Community Foundation of Shelby County (OH)))
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$66.1M
+10.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.2M
+110.1% YoY
Grant Count
88
+76.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$71K
+19.4% YoY
Is Community Foundation of Shelby County open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 29 of 88 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $99K. How we count
Medians: $11K first-time, $27K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is “to inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.” Its stated programs support area nonprofit and community organizations, scholarships for area students, and education in the community.
Grantees’ missions illustrate the range of organizations receiving support. Shelby County United Way says it funds human-service organizations and works to identify and make possible needed human services in the community. Mercy Mission House describes its work as providing emergency shelter and connecting residents with services to help them move toward a self-sustainable life. Rustic Hope says it assists local young people and children in need, while the Shelby County Historical Society says it engages and educates the community to preserve and promote local history.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 88 grants totaling $6,224,265. Grant amounts ranged from $5,151 to $3,516,658, with a median of $17,842. The largest grant was $3,516,658 to Russia Local Schools for general support. Other notable grants included $224,075 to the Village of Russia for community development, $128,455 to Sidney-Shelby County YMCA for general support, and $107,204 to Lehman High School for equipment and education.
The Foundation’s Community Grants program uses an online proposal process. Interested organizations must first contact the Scholarships and Grants Manager for permission to apply; approved applicants receive a code to access the proposal. Community Grants may be requested for up to $20,000. Applicants must be a recognized 501(c)(3) organization, a government entity, or have a fiscal agent, and the proposed work must benefit Shelby County residents. Requests must describe the project or program, use of funds, direct beneficiaries, plan, requested amount, and timeline. The guidelines generally exclude, among other things, general undesignated operating requests, ongoing or repeated programs, individuals, endowments, and activities that do not benefit Shelby County residents. Organizations may submit one proposal per grant cycle.
Review Cycle
Community Grants have spring and fall cycles. Spring preliminary proposals open January 2 and are due February 15, with full proposals due March 31; fall preliminary proposals open July 1 and are due August 15, with full proposals due September 30. Awards are announced in the last week of April and October, respectively.
How to Apply
For Community Grants, contact the Scholarships and Grants Manager to discuss the request and seek permission to apply; approved applicants submit an online proposal.
Open Grants
32 open opportunities from Community Foundation of Shelby County
Adam E. Huelskamp Scholarship Grant
Community Foundation of Shelby County
Amount
US $1,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Arts Grants - Keep Art in Your HeART (Community Foundation of Shelby County (OH))
Community Foundation of Shelby County
Amount
$2,000 total available, may be split across several requests
Deadline
October 15, 2026
Betty Lee Riggs Hughes Nursing Scholarship Grant
Community Foundation of Shelby County
Amount
US $1,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation of Shelby County?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Community Grants guidelines require proposed work to benefit Shelby County, Ohio residents. In 2024, 98% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 88 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2020) to $6.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 88 grants totaling $6.2M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Russia Local Schools ($3.5M). Together the top 10 received $4.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
342 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 269 grants of 342 (79%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Russia Local Schools Russia, OH | General Support | $3,516,658 |
| Village of Russia Russia, OH | Community Developmen | $224,075 |
| Sidney-Shelby Co YMCA Sidney, OH | General Support | $128,455 |
| Lehman High School Sidney, OH | Equipment and Educat | $107,204 |
| Raise the Roof for Arts Sidney, OH | General Support | $97,415 |
| Compassionate Care-Shelby CO Sidney, OH | Medical Support | $88,426 |
| Shelby County United Way Sidney, OH | Comunity Support | $88,107 |
| Rustic Hope Russia, OH | General Support | $84,966 |
| Morgans Place Cemetary Inc Sidney, OH | General Support | $84,115 |
| Holy Angels Catholic Church Sidney, OH | General Support | $81,128 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $66,078,861 | $10,397,057 | $8,698,167 | $6,224,265 |
| 2023 | $60,020,224 | $11,787,664 | $4,713,908 | $2,962,473 |
| 2022 | $49,439,907 | $9,345,368 | $4,621,961 | $2,808,063 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $66,078,861 | $60,020,224 | $49,439,907 |
| Revenue | $10,397,057 | $11,787,664 | $9,345,368 |
| Expenses | $8,698,167 | $4,713,908 | $4,621,961 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,916,926 | $2,274,793 | $942,681 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 30, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Michael Lochard as chair, Kurt Barhorst as vice chair, David Monnier as treasurer, and Dr. Karen Fortman as secretary. Trustees listed were Devon Beer, Mark Goubeaux, Cynthia Helman, Matt Hoying, Diane Reiss, and Lisa Ruhlenkamp.
Community Foundation of Shelby County is led by Michael Lochard, Chair since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 11 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael Lochard
Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Amy Zorn
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Diane Reiss
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Cynthia Helman
Trustee
Chair → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Devon Beer
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Lisa Ruhenkamp
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Matt Hoying
Trustee
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Mark Goubeaux
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
David Monnier
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Karen Fortman
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kurt Barhorst
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Douglas Borchers (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: The Honorable Norman Smith (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Janice Benanzer (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Ralph Keister III (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Cindy Helman (2020) — Vice Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 100 S Main Avenue Suite 303, Sidney, OH 45365
Phone: (937) 497-7800
Website: https://commfoun.com
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of Shelby County
How much does Community Foundation of Shelby County give each year?
Community Foundation of Shelby County gave $6.2M across 88 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.0M across 50 grants.
What is Community Foundation of Shelby County's typical grant size?
Community Foundation of Shelby County's median grant in 2024 was $17,843, and its average grant was $70,730, across 88 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation of Shelby County that year got $13K on average.
Where does Community Foundation of Shelby County give grants?
Community Foundation of Shelby County gives mostly in Ohio: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Sidney, OH (44 grants), Russia, OH (5 grants), Ft Loramie, OH (3 grants) and Botkins, OH (3 grants).
Does Community Foundation of Shelby County give general operating support?
Yes: 52% of Community Foundation of Shelby County's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (45 of 87) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Building Fund" (5 grants), "Program Support" (4 grants) and "Religious Developmen" (4 grants).
Who are Community Foundation of Shelby County's largest grantees?
Community Foundation of Shelby County's largest 2024 grantees include Russia Local Schools ($3,516,658), Village of Russia ($224,075) and Sidney-Shelby Co YMCA ($128,455), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation of Shelby County?
Community Foundation of Shelby County reported $66.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.4M.
What does Community Foundation of Shelby County fund?
The Foundation’s mission is “to inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.” Its stated programs support area nonprofit and community organizations, scholarships for area students, and education in the community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of Shelby County?
For Community Grants, contact the Scholarships and Grants Manager to discuss the request and seek permission to apply; approved applicants submit an online proposal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Community Foundation of Shelby County's EIN?
Community Foundation of Shelby County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-6565194. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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