In addition to that of responsive grantmaker, the Foundation plays a variety of other civic roles such as educator, catalyst or convener on key community issues and makes available the expertise of its professional staff to a wide range of community efforts.
Through your support, the Foundation is committed to addressing issues in the community that touch the lives of many. To help secure the future for our children and grandchildren, the Foundation has taken a leadership role and is collaborating with partners on several initiatives.
Old Jeep Neighborhood “Overland Industrial Park” project – Supporting the industrial redevelopment with neighborhood business and residential improvements, this local solar array project connects renewable energy and neighborhood reinvestment. November 21, 2019 official groundbreaking press release.
Click here to learn more about the project.
Ohio Solar Project with Benefit Low-Income Communities / The Energy News Network, March 2020
How can you get involved? Learn more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xkglg1ddyE
Timelapse video of the Overland Industrial Park solar array construction in Toledo, Ohio. September 19, 2019 through August 2020.
Photo Credit: Toledo Aerial Media
Community Economic Fund - To further our efforts in the area of Economic Opportunities, the Foundation created the Community Economic Opportunities Fund in 2014 to support grant making which helps develop and expand economic opportunities in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. This includes efforts to support neighborhood improvements, job readiness and workforce training. You can contribute to this fund at any time.
Donate hereHuman Trafficking initiative – Funding efforts to provide services for youth victimized by human trafficking. Here, you can read our Summer 2016 Newsletter cover story which speaks to funding GTCF provided to Zepf Center and Advocating Opportunity to address our community's challenges in this regard.
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GTCF is concerned about this issue that primarily affects women and girls in our community, and generally about the advancement of women in our community. In 2015, the Women’s Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation was established. Contributions to the Women’s Fund will exclusively support programs, projects and organizations that improve the quality of life for women and girls in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Grants made from this fund will focus on long-term solutions, and will enable women and girls to succeed in any and all aspects of life. Our goal is to raise $1.5 million to invest in perpetuity to address changing needs of the community as they relate to women and girls. You can contribute to this fund at any time. Donate here.
Toledo Branding project – Investing in establishing awareness and preference for the Toledo Region in support of its ongoing economic development, education, tourism and quality of life. Check out this website: www.toledoregion.com.
Low Birth Weight Babies initiative – Working in partnership with The Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio to reduce the number of low birth weight babies born in northwest Ohio, to improve their long-term health and decrease the amount of time and money spent in the neonatal intensive care unit. To learn more about this initiative, please contact Chris Dziad, program officer at Greater Toledo Community Foundation, [email protected].
Education initiative – Supporting the academic success of Toledo area students through grants to nonprofit agencies offering enrichment, literacy and recreational programs.
To further our efforts in the area of Education, GTCF created the Community Education Fund in 2014. This fund supports grantmaking focusing on the development and education of children and young people residing in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. This includes looking at the developmental needs of 3-5 year olds and exploring programs/models that help children be prepared for kindergarten, while also providing educational support to all students through high school. Supporting the youth of our community from cradle to career. You can contribute to this fund at any time. Donate here.
Toledo Community Venture Partners – Held three “classes” to engage young professionals to invest their time, expertise and money to help build and strengthen local nonprofits. Reintroduced the program in 2019 as Spark.
Youth In Philanthropy Encouraging Excellence (YIPEE) – Partnering with Leadership Toledo to introduce high school juniors and seniors to the benefits of philanthropy and establish the foundation for a lifelong commitment to leadership, volunteerism and philanthropy. Learn more here.
To learn more about these initiatives or become involved, contact Keith Burwell, president, at 419.241.5049 or [email protected]