COLUMBUS, Ohio — The J. Floyd Dixon Memorial Fund of The Columbus Foundation has awarded nearly $60,000 in grants for 2024 to support 18 programs across 10 nonprofit and local governmental organizations serving Jackson County. These grants focus primarily on education and health issues, continuing the fund’s mission to improve community well-being.
Each year, the Dixon Fund’s advisory board, comprising three Dixon family members and six Jackson County residents, reviews grant applications submitted in the spring. This year’s board included Joyce McClurg and Phil Karl of Oak Hill, Gregory Ervin and Jenny Williams of Jackson, and Judge Leonard Holzapfel and Bonnie Huffman of Wellston. The board’s decisions are subject to approval by The Columbus Foundation.
Jenny Williams, chair of the advisory board, noted the high volume of applications received, with requests exceeding the available resources. “This made the application review process very challenging,” she said, adding that the board was particularly pleased with the community involvement in the funded programs.
The successful grant recipients are:
- Elizabeth’s Hope Pregnancy Resources: $2,000 for material essentials for infants in the Earn While You Learn Program.
- Fourteen Six Incorporated: $2,000 for a storage building for program supplies.
- JCS Band Boosters Inc: $2,000 for Jackson High School’s Conservatory Day.
- Jackson Area Festivals & Events: $4,500 for a freezer to aid with food distribution.
- Jackson City Library: $4,000 for a 3D scanner for the STEM 3D printing program.
- Jackson City Schools Art Program: $3,000 for supplies for a collaborative arts program.
- Jackson City Schools Drama Club: $1,000 for middle school drama club supplies.
- Jackson City Schools Entryway: $2,000 for a poster printer for school beautification.
- Jackson City Schools Language Arts: $1,000 for supplies for the 8th grade language arts class.
- Jackson City Schools ROX: $3,000 for the Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX) program for girls in grades 6-8.
- Jackson City Schools Theater: $2,500 for upgrading wireless microphone systems.
- Jackson County Emergency Medical Service: $4,000 for a pilot project addressing aging population needs.
- Jackson County Fair: $1,900 for professional fees and development opportunities.
- Stargazey’s Equine Therapy: $4,395 for an Equicizer for educational and therapeutic activities.
- Wellston City Schools Bundy Elementary: $10,000 for bus transportation for preschool access.
- Wellston City Schools Drug Free Club: $4,000 for registration fees and participant incentives.
- Wellston City Schools FFA: $5,000 for the FFA program.
- Wellston City Schools PBIS: $1,000 for non-food incentives for the PBIS Store.
Since its inception in 1996, the Dixon Fund has distributed nearly $1 million in grants. The fund honors J. Floyd Dixon, who was a prominent figure in Jackson County’s educational landscape, serving as a teacher, superintendent, and professor.
Elizabeth Watson, Dixon’s daughter, established the fund to commemorate her father’s contributions to education. Watson, an alumna of The Ohio State University, passed away in 2003 and is survived by her two sons and a granddaughter, who actively participate in the fund’s advisory board.
About The Columbus Foundation: The Columbus Foundation is one of the top 10 community foundations in the United States, helping individuals, families, and businesses create funds and planned gifts to make meaningful philanthropic contributions.