Columbus, OH (December 28, 2016)—The Robert E. and Genevieve B. Schaefer Fund has awarded 15 grants totaling $90,000 to organizations serving the City of Chillicothe and Ross County.

Ten Miami County nonprofit organizations have received a financial boost from The Paul G. Duke Foundation. The Foundation’s Trustees are pleased to announce grants totaling over $125,000 to benefit area residents.

The Columbus Foundation awarded the $25,000 Columbus Performing Arts Prize to the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra to support the world premiere of an original work by five-time GRAMMY and Academy Award-winning artist Jon Batiste, which will be performed before a sold-out audience at the Southern Theatre the weekend of May 3.

The Erica Alexis Bell Memorial Scholarship has been established by her parents, with pride, to help others who, like Erica, want to become teachers. For graduating seniors from Columbus City Schools to attend Central State University in Xenia, Ohio.

The scholarship was established in memory of the donor’s brother, William F. McGuire; mother, Ruth H. Holcomb; and stepfather Kenneth P. Holcomb. The scholarship provides tuition and books for the education of students who have a physical disability.

David J. White, son; Cozine A. White Short, daughter; and Mitzi Short, granddaughter, established this fund in memory of their mother and grandmother, Ina Fern (White) Hereford. This memorial fund initially provided scholarships for students, grades 3-6, attending the Gloria S. Friend Christian Academy at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Beginning in the fall of 2022, the Ina Fern (White) Hereford Scholarship provides financial support to college-bound youth who are members of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Ina Fern (White) Hereford (1910-2000) was born in North Wilkesboro, NC, and lived in Columbus, OH for most of her life. She was a faithful member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church for over 60 years. She served as the church clerk and for 12 years, she served as the Church Secretary. Affectionately known as “Mother Dear,” her great mission in life was to be a teacher and storyteller. She told Bible stories at the Juvenile Detention Center located at 50 E. Mound Street for more than 16 years. She exemplified a tower of faith and strength in God. All whose lives were touched by this beloved Christian woman were truly blessed. She left a legacy that is admired and remembered. The scholarship honors her legacy – her love for God and her church, her passion for education, and her tireless effort to “put feet on her prayers.”

Christine Grant Beach established this fund in memory of her mother, Louise Morhart Grant, to provide scholarship assistance to qualified students who reside in Middleport, Ohio, are in the graduating class of Meigs High School, and who plan to study music through postsecondary education.

Mary E. Harper established this scholarship fund in memory of her husband, George L. Harper, Sr., who did not have the opportunity to attend high school, and her stepson, George L. Harper, Jr., a member of the Hilliard (Ohio) High School Marching Band, who was killed in a school bus accident at the age of 13.

The Grandview Heights/Marble Cliff Arts Council (GHMCAC) established this scholarship as a way to assist graduating high school seniors, who are residents of Grandview Heights or Marble Cliff, pursue post-secondary education. The award is given in honor of Nancy E. Kukla.

Gideon Development founded this scholarship to support students from the King Lincoln District as they pursue an education at Columbus College of Art & Design.