Small Grant Program

The J.W. and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in Zanesville, Ohio, serving the Muskingum County community. The foundation provides financial support to initiatives that align with its charitable mission, focusing on projects that deliver tangible benefits within its geographic service area. Through its structured grantmaking cycles, the foundation aims to fund impactful, well-defined efforts that can be completed efficiently and demonstrate clear outcomes for the local community. The Small Grant Cycle represents one of the foundation’s recurring funding opportunities, offering financial support for projects that can be executed from start to finish within a limited budget. For the 2026 cycle, the foundation has established a maximum award amount of 25000 dollars per project. The funding is intended for discrete, clearly scoped initiatives rather than ongoing operational support or multi-phase programs. Preference is explicitly given to projects that can be fully completed within the funding limit, indicating an emphasis on feasibility, defined deliverables, and efficient use of resources. Eligible applicants are limited to accredited educational institutions, governmental entities, and nonprofit organizations that hold 501 c 3 tax-exempt status, provided they are located within Muskingum County. This geographic restriction ensures that all funded activities directly benefit the local population. The eligibility criteria also suggest that applicants must have formal organizational structures and recognized legal standing, which may imply expectations around administrative capacity and accountability in managing grant funds. The application process for the Small Grant Cycle is time-bound and occurs within a clearly defined submission window. For the 2026 cycle, applications open on August 1, 2026, and close on August 31, 2026. Applicants are expected to submit their proposals within this period through the foundation’s designated application system. While specific application components are not detailed in the provided material, applicants can reasonably expect to provide project descriptions, budgets, and organizational information to demonstrate alignment with the foundation’s priorities and funding criteria. Evaluation of applications is guided by the foundation’s stated preference for projects that can be completed in full with the requested funding amount. This implies that proposals will likely be assessed on feasibility, clarity of scope, cost effectiveness, and the ability to deliver measurable outcomes within the proposed budget. Projects that require additional funding beyond the grant ceiling or that present uncertain completion timelines may be less competitive under this framework. The foundation provides direct contact information for applicants seeking clarification or support during the application process. Interested parties may contact the organization via phone at 740 297 7007 or visit its office located at 925 Military Road in Zanesville, Ohio. While no specific award notification timeline or performance period is stated, the recurring nature of the annual grant cycle suggests that applicants can anticipate a consistent yearly opportunity to apply. The defined annual submission window indicates that this funding opportunity is expected to recur each year in August, making it a predictable resource for local organizations planning future projects.

Projects that can be completed fully within the 25000 budget are preferred