Ottawa County Community Foundation, Ohio

10/16/2026

Have you checked out our Fall 2026 newsletter yet? This issue is packed with stories and updates, including highlights from our 2026 Community Grant recipients, Business Society benefactors, a recap of our Doing Good Gala, and a message from Executive Director Shea McGrew.

There’s plenty to catch up on and lots of good happening throughout Ottawa County! Read the full issue by scanning the QR code or visiting www.ottawaccf.org/newsletters

10/15/2026

Grant dollars make a difference! These new deck chairs provide an opportunity for residents at The Parkvue Community on Catawba Island to relax outdoors, enjoy the sunshine, take in the changing colors of fall and spend time with others.

OCCF is honored to support organizations like Parkvue that are making a difference in the lives of others throughout Ottawa County. Thank YOU to their team for all you do.

10/08/2026

Scott Pugh was known for showing up for people. Whether that meant helping a neighbor who lost heat on Christmas Day, serving on the Put-in-Bay, school board or simply lending a hand when someone needed it, Scott was always right there.

And, today, his family is carrying that spirit forward.

Through the Scott Pugh Scholarship Fund at OCCF and the Scott Pugh Foundation, the Pugh family is honoring Scott’s memory by helping local students and families, and continuing his commitment to the island community he loved.

Read more about Scott, the Pugh family and the legacy they are building in the latest issue of the OCCF newsletter now available on our website: https://ottawaccf.org/newsletters

10/06/2026

Grant dollars at work in our community! 😃 A big shoutout to the Port Clinton Soccer Club for creating opportunities for even our youngest athletes to get involved, learn the game and have fun. OCCF is proud to support the Bumblebee program and glad to see these new goals put to good use!

10/02/2026

This is what community support looks like. The Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center provides an important resource for individuals and families in Ottawa County, helping victims navigate the court system and connecting them with additional services and support.

Thank you to VFW POST 2480 for recognizing the importance of this work and helping make it possible. OCCF is honored to stand alongside other community partners in supporting FCAPC and the people they work to support.

Corrine McRitchie with Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center-was presented with a check today from the Vfw Post 2480 Presenting for the Post is Quartermaster Cole Araguz. Corrine has been a court advocate with FCAPC for 20 years, working with our Ottawa County community that entire time. Her job is to guide victims of violent crimes through the court process. She also refers them to other services they may need, works closely with the prosecutors office, and the court personnel at OCMC and DR Court as well as other organizations in the community with similar missions to help the victim.

She thanks the Post and its officers very much for this significant donation.

09/30/2026

We love seeing Danbury Local Schools students learning about Lake Erie right here in their own backyard! OCCF is honored to help support opportunities like this that take learning beyond the classroom and give Ottawa County students hands-on experiences at Stone Laboratory.

What a great experience for these sixth graders!

09/28/2026

We’re proud to celebrate the first recipients of the Harold H. Brown Aviation Scholarship, created in partnership with the Liberty Aviation Museum to honor the remarkable life and legacy of Tuskegee Airman Harold Brown.

Dr. Brown’s story of service, education and perseverance continues to inspire, and we’re honored that this scholarship will carry that legacy forward by supporting students pursuing their own futures in aviation. Congratulations to this year’s recipients! We’re excited to see where their journeys take them.

Read more about the scholarship and its first recipients below.

BY SHERI TRUSTYOTTAWA COUNTY - Each year, the Ottawa County Community Foundation (OCCF) impacts thousands of lives, including recipients of scholarships that

09/23/2026

What a wonderful and well-deserved tribute to the life and legacy of Tuskegee Airman Harold Brown. Dr. Brown’s remarkable life of service, leadership and education continues to inspire, and the dedication of Brown Hall at Columbus State Community College further ensures his impact will be remembered by generations of students to come.

OCCF is honored to play a small part in carrying that legacy forward through the Harold H. Brown Aviation Scholarship, an endowed fund established at the Foundation to support students pursuing studies in aviation and aviation-related fields for years to come.

What a fitting tribute to an extraordinary life and legacy!

09/21/2026

The Musical Arts Series/Port Clinton kicks off its new season this weekend, September 27, with internationally recognized concert organist Adam J. Brakel at Immaculate Conception Church in Port Clinton.

OCCF is proud to once again provide grant support for the Musical Arts Series and its continued efforts to bring outstanding musical performances to Ottawa County.

For more info on the series, check out their post below!

The Musical Arts Series in Port Clinton opens its new season with a
spellbinding and artistically masterful performance by concert
organist Adam J. Brakel. His program will take place on September 27 at 3:30 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 414 Madison St., Port Clinton, Ohio.

With Brakel, the Musical Arts Series continues its goals of hosting
nationally and internationally recognized musicians. The Chicago
Tribune hailed Brakel as "one of the most talented organists in the
world." National Public Radio hailed Brakel as “an absolute organ
prodigy with the technique and virtuosity that most concert pianists
could only dream of…he is the Franz Liszt of the organ.” His
playing is distinguished for its energy, passion, and transcendent
virtuosity that serves the music with musical maturity and
communicative power. Mr. Brakel is the newly appointed Director of Music at the Royal Poinciana Chapel in Palm Beach, Florida, following seven years as Director of Music at St. James Cathedral and for the Diocese of Orlando, Florida.

This concert is sponsored by Bolte Insurance in memory of Pat Postma. Tickets are available at the door for $20 and students at all levels are admitted free of charge. More information is available at
musicalartsportclinton.com or at adambrakel.com

09/18/2026

Have you seen our latest billboard on 163, near 3 Mile Crossing Road?! You might recognize the familiar face as it's our very own Arlyn Bensch, OCCF's Board of Trustees Treasurer! This was him volunteering at a bed build with Sleep in Heavenly Peace - OH, OakHarbor. SHP is one of the many local organizations we're grateful to be able to support through your generosity. For more info on OCCF: www.OttawaCCF.org