J.W. and M.H. Straker 2025 Grants

ZANESVILLE, OH –If you’re looking for an opportunity to get your business endeavors up and running, now is the time.

The J.W. and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation is set to distribute approximately 5 million dollars during the 2025 grant season. All grant requests should focus on projects that enhance and uplift life in Muskingum County.

Straker Foundation President and Executive Director, Susan Holdren, shared the foundation’s 2025 grant plans.

“We have a wide variety of interests, we like things with education, with kids, things that are healthy, outdoors, we also like brick-and-mortar so we’ve helped build several buildings like– we helped with the building at Muskingum college. We’re doing a major remodel at OUZ for nursing and helping with the library, so we have many many interests.”

In 2024, the foundation awarded nearly 170 grants and looks forward to continuing this momentum in 2025. While the foundation does not cover operating expenses such as salaries, benefits, and utilities, they welcome requests for new initiatives, programs, supplies, and equipment.

Eligible applicants include those working for 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, churches, and government entities. The foundation encourages applicants to reach out via phone or email if they encounter difficulties with any part of the application.

“We want to help; we don’t want applicants to struggle,” Holdren said. “Sometimes, people contact us in advance to determine if their project aligns with our interests.” There is no maximum cap for this grant, and the Straker Foundation encourages applicants to ask for the amount they truly need, as they aim to distribute around 1 million dollars during this cycle.

The grant application period opens on January 6th and closes on January 30th. Decisions are expected to be made by the end of February.

Please visit The J.W. And M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation – Ohio for more information.