Grantmaking Priorities

Guiding Principals

Our grantmaking is guided by the following values:

We Believe:

That self-sufficient people can best help themselves and others. Our goal will always be to help people become independent and responsible citizens.

In respect for oneself, for others, for the community and for the environment.

In freedom of thought, speech, religion, and economic choices within a just and democratic society.

In the courage to embrace change, and as necessary, to take the initiative to bring about positive change.

We believe that these fundamental values are best instilled at a young age by caring families, supportive schools and a society which feels a strong sense of responsibility for educating and nurturing their young to be knowledgeable, motivated and prepared to take part in the preservation and betterment of the societies in which they will take part.

We believe that responsible, caring and capable individuals must work together to preserve fair and just laws, individual freedoms and equalities of opportunity for all within these societies. And we believe that these societies also must offer respectful and dignified aid for those within these societies that are less fortunate, to enable them to achieve a level of independence and make contributions to their society to the best of their capabilities.

We look for organizations with accountable leadership, capable of using philanthropic resources wisely.

Focus Areas

EDUCATION

Our emphasis is to:

  • increase the number of quality educational opportunities at the primary and secondary school levels, and to promote greater access to such programs
  • support learning institutions that value independent thinking, artistic appreciation, cultural, economic and ethnic diversity, and community service
  • support small manageable programs within institutions of higher learning

HEALTH CARE

We support programs that:

  • create better access to health care
  • support research to eradicate health crises
  • educate people to take better care of themselves
  • encourage cooperation and consolidation among healthcare providers
  • support alternative health care methods

CULTURAL

We believe the arts have a special ability to improve the quality of our lives because they:

  • communicate
  • delight and educate
  • motivate, and
  • build self‑esteem

Efforts in this area should demonstrate community support.

COMMUNITY

We support organizations that have the unique value of improving and inspiring their community, while helping themselves to help each other.

General Statements

On occasion, we support programs that promote a balanced and honest debate concerning the quality and preservation of the environment.

On occasion, we support groups who research, distribute information, and promote fair debate on public policy issues.

We respect the importance of religion to many people as well as freedom of religious choice. We do not feel that our funds should promote any particular religion.

Religious organizations with proposals for programs clearly related to our funding areas may be supported if our funds are dedicated solely to the specific program, are not used for the advancement of a particular religious persuasion, and if the program is available to all in need, regardless of religious belief.

Historically, our grants have been focused in Northwestern Ohio. As family members outside of Northwestern Ohio become interested in recommending grants within these Focus Areas in their own communities, our geographic grantmaking will broaden.

The Foundation will not support organizations that discriminate in the leadership, staffing or service provision on the basis of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, political affiliation or religious beliefs.

The Stranahan Foundation does not normally consider proposals for funding in the following areas: personal businesses; reduction or elimination of deficits; computer projects; films, television or radio productions; projects that are located outside of the United States; endowment fund campaigns; government sponsored or controlled projects; or individuals.