Nonprofit organizations serving residents of the Miami County area received welcome support recently from The Paul G. Duke Foundation. The Foundation announced grants totaling more than $140,000, targeting education and social services programs, community events and the community itself.

Underscoring the Duke Foundation’s continuing interest in strengthening the leadership resources and skills of local nonprofit organizations and professionals, the Duke Foundation will again underwrite the Graduate Academy for Community Leadership, as it has since 2005. The Academy, located at Edison State Community College (ESCC), offers educational, professional development, and networking opportunities for staff and board members of regional nonprofits, and concludes with the annual Mosaic Conference. The Duke Foundation will also continue to support one of the Foundation Center’s free Cooperating Collections at ESCC, in order to provide nonprofits and members of the public with fundraising information, assistance and guidance.

With its grant to Troy Main Street, the Duke Foundation joins the City of Troy, the Troy Foundation, Troy Main Street, and an anonymous donor to catalyze revitalization of the downtown and riverfront areas of Troy. Creation of a strategic investment and development plan is a key step toward enhancing the quality of life for all Troy residents, increasing opportunities for recreation and tourism, and improving the ability of area businesses to attract and retain talented employees.

Improvements of a different kind are the focus of the Foundation’s most recent grant for the Brukner Nature Center. Upgrades to enable high-speed internet service will encourage docents, staff, educators and visitors of all ages to take advantage of technology as a way to explore the Center’s exhibits and environment, stimulating curiosity and encouraging an appreciation of the wildlife and wild places of the Miami County region.

Additional nonprofit organizations receiving grants are:

Edison State Community College

A grant was also awarded to support the 2016 Holiday Evening at Edison.

Lincoln Community Center Association

To support improvements to the facility in the interests of client and staff health and safety.

Milton-Union Senior Citizens & Community Club, Inc.

To support replacement of four windows in the facility, which serves primarily senior citizens in

northern Montgomery County, eastern Darke County, and southern Miami County.

Richards Chapel United Methodist Church

To support the purchase of chairs and tables for the Lunch Program, serving those in need in the Troy area.

Troy Lions Charities, Inc.

To support the Sight Conservation Program in Miami County.

Troy Recreation Association, Inc.

To support the Summer Lunch Buddy program to provide Troy students in grades K-6 with a free lunch and literacy program.

Upper Valley Career Center

To support development of the makerspace, where students can take advantage of advanced manufacturing equipment to practice skills. create, and innovate.

Veterans Museum Miami Valley

To support development and presentation of the History in a Box program.

WACO Historical Society, Inc.

To support STEM education programs for students from Miami and surrounding counties by partially covering costs associated with six robotics teams.

In addition to the grants noted above, the Trustees are pleased to announce a special grant to the College of Wooster in recognition of Paul A. Hanke, a founding Trustee of the Duke Foundation who has remained an active and valued member of the Board since 1983. Mr. Hanke plans to step down from the Board of Trustees on December 31. The grant to Mr. Hanke’s alma mater supports the Hanke Family Endowed Scholarship Fund.

The Paul G. Duke Foundation’s Board of Trustees encourages nonprofit organizations in the Miami County area to apply for grants. Current information on eligibility guidelines, spring and fall application deadlines, and submission of applications to the Duke Foundation can be found at www.paulgdukefoundation.org. Grants are awarded in spring and fall each year.

Organizations seeking support for school-year programs are encouraged to submit applications at the spring deadline for support of the upcoming academic year; those seeking support for summer programs are encouraged to apply in summer for the following year’s programming. Organizations with year-round programs may apply at either deadline.

The Duke Foundation’s grantmaking is consistent with its mission to be a catalyst to enhance the quality of life in the Miami County area. Grants focus on programs benefiting children, young adults, and families, and provide both general and specific project support, including seed money for innovative programs, in the areas of social services, education, health, and the arts.

The Duke Foundation frequently makes challenge grants for projects to encourage matching gifts or additional funding from other donors.

The Paul G. Duke Foundation, a Supporting Foundation of The Columbus Foundation, was established in 1983. It has a long history of philanthropic support for nonprofit organizations. Paul Duke, Miami County businessman and philanthropist, evolved his local Duke Garden Centers into a national lawn and garden service, ChemLawn. The proceeds from the sale of that business enabled Mr. Duke to generously support many community projects and charitable programs, all of which continues to be done through the Duke Foundation.

Patricia Duke Robinson serves the Duke Foundation as President Emeritus. The Duke Foundation’s Board of Trustees includes: Linda A. Daniel, President; Paul A. Hanke, Esq.; B. Mark Hess, M.D.; William J. McGraw, III, Esq.; and Ronald B. Scott. The Trustees welcome Rayce Robinson, great-grandson of Paul G. Duke and grandson of Paul G. Duke, to the Board as the first Honorary Trustee.