PORTSMOUTH- The Scioto Foundation awarded $90,751.38 in grant funding for the fourth quarter of 2023 in support of eight community projects focusing on animal welfare, community development, social services, art/culture, natural resources and conservation, and education.

The Animal Welfare League received $3,200 from the George & Rita King Fund for sponsorship of the Rascal Unit’s Spay/Neuter Program from Dublin, Ohio which collaborates with the local organization for four visits per year. They hope to spray or neuter approximately 15 dogs and 35 cats in each visit by the Rascal Unit.

The City of Portsmouth was awarded $15,000 from the Edmund J. Kricker Advisory Fund to help with its efforts to resurface the Mound Park Pickleball and Tennis Courts. The project would completely restore the current deteriorated court surface and include new asphalt pavement, new posts and nets and new coating and striping of all the courts. It will also include some new fencing and gates encompassing the courts.

A sum of $2,858.80 from the Phillip & Mary Jenkins Benevolent Fund and the Foster Morgan Fund was given to Compass Point Housing for Recovery Housing Residents’ Welcome Kits. The Welcome Kits will provide essentials including new bedding, pillows, towels, clothes hampers and basic hygiene products in order to make the new residents feel comfortable in their new environments which will lead to longer stays and better recovery outcomes.

A grant totaling $5,693.38 from the Kathleen Battle Community Center Fund went to the Fourteenth Community Center to complete construction of the Kathleen Battle Recording Studio.

The requested funding will go toward providing the audio interface, computer, monitors, software and additional sound proofing to complete the studio. The equipment will make programming possible to members of the community and will result in the training of volunteers to use the space.

Friends of Greenlawn Cemetery will receive a $5,000 grant from the John & Linda Walker Community Fund and the Duncan & Ruth Baxtor Fund to assist with the restoration of the Levi D. York Mausoleum. It is one of three smaller mausoleums situated on the 40-acre Greenlawn Cemetary site. There are early signs of water intrusion and settling with the granite base and grout lines throughout the structure. The York Mausoleum was constructed during Portsmouth’s Guilded Age (1922) and houses sixteen individual crypts. Levi York was a well-known industrialist who was an enormous benefactor to Portsmouth.

Potter’s House Ministries obtained a grant of $5,000 to support their Tax Season 2024. PHM has been a part of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly for the past 13 years. Last year the volunteers completed over 2,700 tax returns in the tax season and about 100 more after season ended. Grant funds will help with office expenses, advertising and volunteer costs.

An award of $4,000 from the Russell Leiter Unrestricted Fund went to the Scioto Soil and Water Conservation District for its 2024 CSI: SHAWNEE Science Camp to be held at Camp Oyo in June for middle school students. The grant will cover the Camp Oyo contract services for the 2024 season including providing space, lodging, equipment and food to the campers and staff.

The Southern Ohio Museum will receive $50,000 from the James & Tabitha Pugh Memorial Fund to underwrite 2024’s year of arts programming centered on major group exhibitions, solo

shows of contemporary art and artworks from the permanent collections. An array of custom-designed educational programs, tours, lectures and gallery talks will augment and interpret exhibition them and delve into the creative process behind the art on display.

The Scioto Foundation annually awards grants on a quarterly basis in classifications of the arts, education, community development, social services and health. Application deadlines are March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.