The J.W. and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation sets the record for grant making in 2025

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The J.W. and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation broke a record in 2025 with more than $6 million distributed in Muskingum County.

According to the foundation’s president and executive director, Susan Holdren, 2025 was the foundation’s largest grant-making year to date. Holdren says that 175 separate grants were issued in attempt to offer a wide variety of grants.

“…for example, we give $15,000 to each school district to spend how they see fit, on the school trips or classroom supplies that are not provided, and also behavioral incentives,” Holdren said.

Other major grants issued by the Straker Foundation helped fund the pre-event space at the Secrest Auditorium, Muskingum Valley Education Service Center’s new Little Farmers Academy, and the John McIntire Library. In 2026, the non-profit is planning to streamline its funding process and how to submit requests for a variety of projects.

“We like a wide variety of projects, from the arts to sports to theatre, and I would say our niche, though it’s unusual for a family foundation and that is bricks and mortar. My father (J.W. Straker) was really adamant about making improvements to existing sites and also starting from scratch,” Holdren said.

You can learn more about the J.W. and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation or apply for grants by visiting their website at StrakerFoundation.org.