Investing in Impact: Grant Cycle II Recipients Announced

Grants

The Community Foundation recently awarded up to $62,771 in grants to eleven community nonprofits. Recipients received funding from the Foundation’s 2025 Grant Cycle II to support a variety of impactful projects.

“The competitive nature of our grants continues to grow, but the variety and creativity of the projects never cease to amaze us,” noted Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager. “This cycle has been especially rewarding as we’ve had the opportunity to support so many individuals and organizations doing incredible work in Huntington County.”

Parkview Huntington Family YMCA received $10,000 to assist in replacement costs for aging and broken soccer goals for the youth soccer program. The Huntington YMCA youth soccer program provides youth development and physical activity for kids from pre-k through 15 in the Huntington County community. During 2024-25, 468 kids participated in the soccer program.

_{Pictured (left to right) is Shanon Spaulding, Parkview Huntington Family YMCA Sports Director, Todd Latta, Parkview Huntington Family YMCA Executive Director, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, and Matt Ditzler, Community Foundation Executive Director, alongside his sons (left to right) Jude and Griffin, representing the Matt & Karissa Ditzler Family Community Fund.}

While the soccer program promotes physical activity and helps youth develop soccer skills, at its heart, the program is intended to develop the whole child with focus areas in self-confidence, leadership and teamwork. This leads to improved long-term outcomes for youth in areas such as educational attainment, mental health and workforce participation. Funding will ensure the Huntington YMCA soccer program can continue to serve Huntington area youth for years to come.

The grant included $204 from the Sesquicentennial Community Fund, and $1,605 from the Wallace P. Smith Memorial Fund. The grant was generously sponsored by the following Community Funds: Philip & Jackie Karst Family Community Fund, James & Regina Ditzler Community Fund, John & Patricia Ditzler Community Fund, Matt & Karissa Ditzler Family Community Fund.

Huntington Theatre Guild: Act II was awarded $7,754 to aid in purchasing costs for necessary equipment including blackout curtains, lighting systems, backdrop stands, stage risers, wireless mics, platform materials, room dividers and clothing racks for costumes. Huntington Theatre Guild: Act II seeks to enhance the experience for performers and audiences as they foster an environment that supports inspiration and entertainment.

_{Pictured (left to right) is Alicia Baron, Huntington Theatre Guild: Act II Board President, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, and Maddie Schultz, Huntington Theatre Guild: Act II Board Treasurer.}

The organization’s performing arts programs offer many health benefits such as improved physical fitness, enhanced cognitive function, positive impacts on mental well-being and confidence and life skills building. Their team is devoted to creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, as there is a place for everyone in the performing arts. The Huntington Theatre Guild also strives to create opportunities within the community, add more theatre education options, facilitate visual arts and storytelling and cultivate collaboration with community groups. Having an active and thriving performing arts organization instills a sense of accomplishment and pride in local talent and provides a source of entertainment within the community.

The grant included $2,000 from the Hiner Family Fund, and $754 from the Huntington Celebrity Concert Fund.

New Life Ministries was awarded $4,477 from the Fred Bailey Charitable Fund to support necessary upgrades to the Men’s Life House, a transitional housing program that provides a structured, rigorous program for men navigating homelessness, addiction, hunger, trauma and/or mental illness with the goal of helping them get back on track to living a healthy, purpose-filled life.

*_{Pictured (left to right) is Fred Bailey, Fred Bailey Charitable Fund Representative, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, and Jimi Staton, New Life Ministries Executive Director.}*

Funding will cover costs for new mattresses and mattress covers, as well as support costs for remodeling one home’s front porch. After significant weather damage, upgrades to the porch will ensure a safer entrance, enhance curb appeal and provide an enjoyable space for the residents to spend time together. The grant will further allow New Life Ministries’ dedicated team to continue providing the ministry program designed to meet the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of men.

McMillen Health received $2,040 to support the organization’s Mom and Me Days program, which will reach approximately 20 Huntington County women and their children. McMillen Health has been successfully hosting Mom and Me Days in Allen County since 2023 and has recently expanded this outstanding program to surrounding counties. Mom and Me Days provides interactive and engaging health education on maternal health, social-emotional wellbeing and mental health, as well as brings content to life from the organization’s Healthy Tomorrow prenatal app.

_{Pictured (left to right) is Sabrina Marquez Straessle, McMillen Health Director of Development & Marketing, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, Taylor Yoder, McMillen Health Interim Executive Director, and Shannon Gleason, McMillen Health Director of Educational Services.}

Additionally, women will learn how to cook a healthy meal that they will get to enjoy with their children. The program also provides incentives for families to attend that include hygiene items, diapers, games, gift cards and fresh food. By providing these programs to mothers and their children, McMillen Health hopes to address the current infant mortality rates in Huntington County by providing crucial educational resources on causes related to pre-term birth, congenital anomalies and sleep incidents.

Place of Grace was awarded $10,000 to assist with development costs of their new Family Housing Program, a supportive housing initiative for graduates of the residential recovery program who are regaining custody of their children. The five-unit complex will offer safe, affordable and recovery-focused housing to women who have completed the program, demonstrate long-term stability and are reunifying with their families as part of their continued recovery journey. Until now, graduate housing options have not been able to accommodate women with children, but the Family Housing Program will fill that critical gap.

_{Pictured (left to right) is Cindy Paul, Paul Family Community Fund Representative, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, and Brittany Renkenberger, Place of Grace Executive Director.}

In addition to the housing units, the complex will feature a shared meeting space for case management, parenting support groups, community meals and pro-social activities that promote family bonding and stability. This space will also serve as a location for continued recovery support services, workshops and child-friendly programming. Funding will directly support the creation of a safe, recovery-focused living environment for women and their children—an environment designed not just for housing, but for healing. The land for this project was generously donated by the Huntington County Commissioners, and the construction phase of the project is mainly funded through a grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA).

The grant was generously sponsored by the following Community Funds: Howell-Ehler-Wiley Community Fund, Paul Family Community Fund, Steve & Vicky Eisenhut Community Fund, Anonymous Community Fund, Gina & Scott Canady Community Fund.

Huntington Main Street received $10,000 to support installation costs for a Downtown Huntington south entrance sign that will display the vibrant and welcoming nature of downtown. A fun and unique sign welcoming community members and visitors alike will communicate a love of place and welcoming space to all. It will mark the beginning of Downtown Huntington and encourage exploration of all that downtown has to offer.

_{Pictured (left to right) is Dr. Ron Frischman, Dr. Ron & Judy Frischman Community Fund Representative, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, and Sharon Metzger, Huntington Main Street Director.}

To fully cover sign installation costs, Huntington Main Street will fundraise the remaining amount needed. The Community Foundation will match donations $1 for $1 up to an additional $2,500 for the project. Those interested in contributing toward the match can direct questions to Huntington Main Street.

The grant was generously sponsored by the Dr. Ron & Judy Frischman Community Fund and the First Federal Savings Bank Community Fund.

St. Peter’s First Community Church was awarded $1,000 to purchase two new laptops for its after-school program, Homework Help, to assist students completing homework and accessing essential academic resources. Homework Help strives to provide a place where students on the verge of becoming disengaged with school can begin to recognize their abilities and potential through intentional mentoring relationships.

_{Pictured (left to right) is Lauren Baker, St. Peter’s First Community Church Ministry Coordinator and Homework Help Associate, Sherry Baker, Dean & Anne Stonebraker Community Fund Representative, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, Sandy Stephan, Dean & Anne Stonebraker Community Fund Representative, and Megan Condry, St. Peter’s First Community Church Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry.}

Dedicated program volunteers and staff play a vital role in helping students build skills and confidence, but outdated technology currently restricts their ability to do so effectively. The computers will allow staff and volunteers to track academic progress, organize data, monitor grades, keep records of missing assignments and streamline communication with teachers and parents. These updates will greatly enhance the Homework Help program’s ability to support students in a relevant, efficient and effective way.

The grant included $890 from the Roanoke Brethren Church Fund. The grant was generously sponsored by the James & Nancy Breiner Community Fund and the Dean & Anne Stonebraker Community Fund.

Brightpoint was awarded $5,000 to support their Covering Kids and Families (CKF) of Brightpoint program which focuses on improving access to healthcare coverage for underserved individuals and families in local communities. With a special emphasis on serving high-need groups, including pregnant women, children and low-income families, CKF aims to reduce health disparities and improve long-term outcomes. In 2024, they assisted 447 individuals in Huntington County and aim to expand these efforts moving forward.

_{Pictured (left to right) is Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, Tequa Jones, Brightpoint CKF Assistant Manager, Temecula Nelson, Brightpoint CKF Program Manager, and Pam Brookshire, Brightpoint Vice President of Community Services.}

CKF of Brightpoint provides comprehensive support to help individuals navigate the complexities of healthcare programs, such as the Indiana Health Coverage Program, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Federally Facilitated Marketplace. Their team of licensed navigators and certified application counselors assist clients with understanding healthcare options, completing applications and providing one-on-one guidance. They actively engage with the community to raise awareness about available healthcare coverage by hosting informational sessions, attending community events and partnering with local organizations, schools and healthcare providers to identify and assist individuals in need.

The grant included $858 from the Huntington County Free Health Clinic Fund, and $1,200 from the Huntington County Right to Life Endowment Fund. The grant was generously sponsored by the Stephen & Alyce Zahn Community Fund.

McKenzie’s Hope was awarded $3,500 to upgrade technology and infrastructure by replacing aging computers and installing an updated server to support their recording system. These improvements will ensure their dedicated team can work efficiently, securely and effectively. This will further allow them to serve children and adult survivors as well as their families, and to strengthen coordination with law enforcement, Department of Child Services and the court system.

*_{Pictured (left to right) is Katie Schilling, McKenzie’s Hope Executive Director, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, and Malia Metelues, McKenzie’s Hope Family Advocate.}*

McKenzie’s Hope provides a safe, child-focused space for children and adults that have experienced abuse. By equipping their team with the right tools, they can continue offering trauma-informed, high-quality care for those who need it most.

The grant included $400 from the Network Technology Fund. The grant was generously sponsored by the Erik & Heather Larr Family Community Fund.

The Huntington County Historical Society (HCHS) received $5,000 to renovate the original 1930’s Rickert Photography Studios sign that represents an iconic piece of Huntington County history. With numerous glass panels currently missing or broken, funding will aid in the sign’s repair, and it will be prominently displayed in the Huntington Historical Museum. For three-quarters of a century, Rickert Photographic Studios transformed day-to-day life in Huntington County into community history, one image at a time. In 1904, William F. “Bill” Rickert began his photography career at 16 with a mail-order camera and went on to establish one of Huntington’s first “modern” photo studios, Rickert Photography. Bill’s son, Robert “Bob” Rickert, eventually took over the business, renaming it Rickert Studio and continuing the family’s legacy of excellence. Under Bob and his wife’s leadership, the studio thrived specializing in portrait photography for decades, earning both state and national recognition.

*_{Pictured (left to right) is Barb Rupley, Huntington County Historical Society Director, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, and Nancy Breiner, Community Foundation Volunteer.}*

In 2021, HCHS was gifted approximately 25,000 Rickert Studios photo negatives taken over seven decades and has begun digitizing many of the community-related photos. Approximately 3,000 photos have been captured to date and are available for display on the Center’s kiosk. Several personal photo negatives, such as weddings, burials, family portraits, etc., have been returned to relatives in the community.

The grant was generously sponsored by the following Community Funds: Daugherty Family Community Fund, John & Midge Decker Community Fund, John & Rachel Nelson Family Community Fund.

The Youth Services Bureau of Huntington County received $1,500 to support its growing Students Out of School (SOS) program. The grant will allow the program to offer more hands-on learning opportunities during its Skills for Lifetime session as well as individual time with a counselor. This program is designed for middle and high school students who have been suspended, expelled or need a modified schedule. Through the program, students often thrive as they learn study and time management skills, are provided a smaller classroom setting, receive individual support and enhance communication skills.

_{Pictured (left to right) is Rebekah Hall, Students Out of School Coordinator, Kelly Metzger, Students Out of School Coordinator, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, and Michelle Crone, Youth Services Bureau of Huntington County Executive Director.}

During the 2024-2025 school year, SOS served 16 local students. Within the past five years, over 80 students have been able to experience impactful YSB resources. Funding will help YSB continue fostering strong relationships with Huntington County Community Schools, Huntington County Probation and parents hoping to invest in students’ futures by seeking assistance with academics and life experiences.

The grant included $204 from the Sesquicentennial Community Fund. The grant was generously sponsored by the Bippus State Bank Community Fund and the Herb & Corinne Scheiber Memorial Community Fund.

The Community Foundation is looking forward to how these impactful projects will benefit the community of Huntington County. For more information on Community Foundation Grants, visit our Grants Page.