Youth-focused organizations and schools in Wayne County received a portion of about $270,000 in Stamm Koechlein Family Foundation grants.
SKFF’s board is supporting 27 organizations and schools in Wayne County and one each in California and Missouri.
The board also invested more than $25,000 in local nonprofit education and development.
The 2024 grant cycle brings the foundation’s total giving to more than $4.6 million since 2001.
This distribution aligns with SKFF’s goals to “build, strengthen and sustain community life by bringing opportunity to youth.”
Centerville Drama Club has received support for three years. Adviser Shannon Nevels said SKFF provides vital grants that offer several opportunities to kids and teens.
“Whether supporting literacy, the arts or physical needs, the funding puts resources in the hands of leaders who then can impact their circle on a grassroots level,” Nevels said in a news release.
Since 2001, SKFF has partnered with more than 90 different nonprofits through grants and many more through nonprofit education and development work.
“The beauty of philanthropy is that it is selfless, but that doesn’t mean it is without reward,” said Monica Koechlein, board president, in the release. “Our family provides support to those organizations that further our mission of building community opportunities that benefit the youth of the community. In return, we are able to see the organizations we fund be nimble in adapting and/or expanding programs as the needs of young people change over time.”
This year, SKFF has introduced philanthropic giving to the next generation with mini grants chosen by the founders’ great-nieces and -nephews. These grant awards will be selected and granted this fall.
“Every year our family comes together to support Richmond, our hometown, by granting donations to various youth serving organizations,” said Kathy Gage, SKFF board secretary. “We’ve developed so many wonderful relationships through the years and are excited to see the difference they will make in 2024-5 in this wonderful community.”
Local winners of Stamm Koechlein Family Foundation grants
- Amigos, Richmond’s Latino Center
- Black Legacy Project
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County
- Bridges for Life
- Cardinal Greenway
- Centerville High School Drama Club
- Communities In Schools
- Cope Environmental Center
- Every Child Can Read
- Girls Inc. of Wayne County
- Joseph Moore Museum
- Refuge of Hope
- Richmond Art Museum
- Richmond Civic Theatre — Stage One Youth Theatre
- Richmond Meltdown Ice Festival
- Richmond Parks Department — Just Us Kids Outdoors
- Richmond Symphony Orchestra
- Townsend Community Center
- Wayne County Historical Museum
- School recipients: Richmond Community Schools’ Baxter (Community Youth Services), Fairview, Vaile, Charles, Crestdale, Starr and Westview, and Richmond Friends School
For more information about grant applications, visit www.stammkoechlein.org
A version of this article appeared in the October 30 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.