Hilliard Council to Review Grant Requests as Darby Diamond Club Seeks $500,000
A city worksheet lists non-profit funding requests led by a $500,000 ask from the Darby Diamond Club that exceeds all other applicant requests combined.
Hilliard City Council is scheduled to hold a special council meeting at 4:00 PM Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in Council Chambers at City Hall, 3800 Municipal Way. According to the meeting agenda, the scheduled business of council is to review council non-profit funding applications.
A city grant application worksheet lists funding requests from non-profit applicants, showing a subtotal of $263,500 to $288,500 across 10 organizations, alongside requests from Life Care Alliance for $5,000 and the Darby Diamond Club for $500,000. Together, the 12 requests total between $768,500 and $793,500, approaching nearly $800,000 and significantly surpassing the $199,500 the city awarded across six returning recipient organizations in 2026.
The Hilliard Municipal Building and Council Chambers at 3800 Municipal Way in Hilliard, Ohio.
Credit: Google Street View · © Google · Google Street View panorama 93q7_xMiiPMC-u_Xs7gSKg, captured August 2019
Booster Club Submits Half-Million-Dollar Ask
On the city worksheet, the Darby Diamond Club is listed as a new applicant with an amount requested of $500,000. According to organization records, Coach Fugitt presented a plaque officially naming the new building The Elavsky Practice Facility in recognition of contributions and efforts to the Darby Baseball Program.
The booster club's half-million-dollar ask alone exceeds the combined requests of all other 11 applicants, which total between $263,500 and $288,500.
Traditional Recipients and New Applicants
For applicants listed with an amount received in 2026, the city worksheet shows $50,000 received and $55,000 requested for the Hilliard Arts Council, and $47,500 received and $47,500 requested for the Historical Society. The worksheet also shows $55,000 received and $35,000 requested for Home in Hilliard, $22,000 received for food only and $26,000 requested for Hilliard Food Pantry Plus, $5,000 received and $5,000 requested for Patches of Light, and $20,000 received and $5,000 requested for A Taste of Peace.
The Hilliard Kiwanis Club, which was not selected for funding in 2026, submitted two separate requests for a combined $9,000 ($4,000 and $5,000). In addition to the Darby Diamond Club, four other first-time applicants submitted funding requests, according to the city worksheet: the Hilliard Education Foundation seeking $50,000, Franklin Street Creative requesting between $25,000 and $50,000, Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church requesting $6,000, and Life Care Alliance requesting $5,000.
Grant Criteria and Council Authority
To qualify, applicants must be IRS-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit entities based in the City of Hilliard that directly serve the local community. Under municipal grant criteria, applications must meet one or more city goals: activities or events that appeal to a broad segment of Hilliard residents, enhance Hilliard's image or media coverage, add to quality of life, vibrancy, character and resident involvement, or provide services that help Hilliard residents. The city's grant instructions directed applicants to return all information by Aug. 31, 2026.
Under city grant policy, annual program funding is subject to council approval of an anticipated not-to-exceed budget amount, and council retains the right to fully fund, partially fund, or not fund any request. Grant recipients must provide a detailed list of expenses to the director of finance by Jan. 31 of the following year.
Previously, Pique reported that Hilliard introduces its proposed 2027 operating budget and pay grade overhaul ahead of council public hearings. City Council is scheduled to hold a regular meeting and public hearings on the 2027 operating budget on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, before convening the grant evaluation meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at City Hall, located at 3800 Municipal Way.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Special Meeting · 2026-10-27 · agenda
Supporting evidence (9)
Hilliard City Council is scheduled to hold a special council meeting at 4:00 PM Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in Council Chambers at City Hall, 3800 Municipal Way.
Read supporting passage
Special Council Meeting 4:00 PM Tuesday, October 27, 2026 Council Members Emily Cole, President Tina Cottone, Vice President Greg Betts Kathy Parker-Jones Nadia Rasul Andy Teater Cynthia Vermillion Joshua Rauch, City Manager Diane (Dee) Werbrich, Clerk of Council City Hall, Council Chambers | 3800 Municipal Way, Hilliard, OH 43026
According to the meeting agenda, the scheduled business of council is to review council non-profit funding applications.
Read supporting passage
Review Council Non-Profit Funding Applications.
A city grant application worksheet lists funding requests from non-profit applicants, showing a subtotal of $263,500 to $288,500 across 10 organizations, alongside requests from Life Care Alliance for $5,000 and the Darby Diamond Club for $500,000.
Read supporting passage
Historical Society $47,500 $47,500 Hilliard Arts Council $50,000 $55,000 Home in Hilliard $55,000 $35,000 Hilliard Food Pantry Plus $22,000 (Food only) $26,000 Patches of Light $5,000 $5,000 A Taste of Peace $20,000 $5,000 Hilliard Kiwanis Club Not Selected 2 Requests - $4,000 & $5,000 Hilliard Education Foundation NEW $50,000 Franklin Street Creative NEW $25,000-$50,000 Resurrection Evangelical Luthern Church NEW $6,000 $263,500-$288,500 Life Care Alliance NEW $5,000 Darby Diamond Club NEW $500,000
On the city worksheet, the Darby Diamond Club is listed as a new applicant with an amount requested of $500,000.
Read supporting passage
Historical Society $47,500 $47,500 Hilliard Arts Council $50,000 $55,000 Home in Hilliard $55,000 $35,000 Hilliard Food Pantry Plus $22,000 (Food only) $26,000 Patches of Light $5,000 $5,000 A Taste of Peace $20,000 $5,000 Hilliard Kiwanis Club Not Selected 2 Requests - $4,000 & $5,000 Hilliard Education Foundation NEW $50,000 Franklin Street Creative NEW $25,000-$50,000 Resurrection Evangelical Luthern Church NEW $6,000 $263,500-$288,500 Life Care Alliance NEW $5,000 Darby Diamond Club NEW $500,000
The booster club's half-million-dollar ask alone exceeds the combined requests of all other 11 applicants, which total between $263,500 and $288,500.
Read supporting passage
Historical Society $47,500 $47,500 Hilliard Arts Council $50,000 $55,000 Home in Hilliard $55,000 $35,000 Hilliard Food Pantry Plus $22,000 (Food only) $26,000 Patches of Light $5,000 $5,000 A Taste of Peace $20,000 $5,000 Hilliard Kiwanis Club Not Selected 2 Requests - $4,000 & $5,000 Hilliard Education Foundation NEW $50,000 Franklin Street Creative NEW $25,000-$50,000 Resurrection Evangelical Luthern Church NEW $6,000 $263,500-$288,500 Life Care Alliance NEW $5,000 Darby Diamond Club NEW $500,000
For applicants listed with an amount received in 2026, the city worksheet shows $50,000 received and $55,000 requested for the Hilliard Arts Council, and $47,500 received and $47,500 requested for the Historical Society.
Read supporting passage
Historical Society $47,500 $47,500 Hilliard Arts Council $50,000 $55,000 Home in Hilliard $55,000 $35,000 Hilliard Food Pantry Plus $22,000 (Food only) $26,000 Patches of Light $5,000 $5,000 A Taste of Peace $20,000 $5,000 Hilliard Kiwanis Club Not Selected 2 Requests - $4,000 & $5,000 Hilliard Education Foundation NEW $50,000 Franklin Street Creative NEW $25,000-$50,000 Resurrection Evangelical Luthern Church NEW $6,000 $263,500-$288,500 Life Care Alliance NEW $5,000 Darby Diamond Club NEW $500,000
The worksheet also shows $55,000 received and $35,000 requested for Home in Hilliard, $22,000 received for food only and $26,000 requested for Hilliard Food Pantry Plus, $5,000 received and $5,000 requested for Patches of Light, and $20,000 received and $5,000 requested for A Taste of Peace.
Read supporting passage
Historical Society $47,500 $47,500 Hilliard Arts Council $50,000 $55,000 Home in Hilliard $55,000 $35,000 Hilliard Food Pantry Plus $22,000 (Food only) $26,000 Patches of Light $5,000 $5,000 A Taste of Peace $20,000 $5,000 Hilliard Kiwanis Club Not Selected 2 Requests - $4,000 & $5,000 Hilliard Education Foundation NEW $50,000 Franklin Street Creative NEW $25,000-$50,000 Resurrection Evangelical Luthern Church NEW $6,000 $263,500-$288,500 Life Care Alliance NEW $5,000 Darby Diamond Club NEW $500,000
The Hilliard Kiwanis Club, which was not selected for funding in 2026, submitted two separate requests for a combined $9,000 ($4,000 and $5,000).
Read supporting passage
Historical Society $47,500 $47,500 Hilliard Arts Council $50,000 $55,000 Home in Hilliard $55,000 $35,000 Hilliard Food Pantry Plus $22,000 (Food only) $26,000 Patches of Light $5,000 $5,000 A Taste of Peace $20,000 $5,000 Hilliard Kiwanis Club Not Selected 2 Requests - $4,000 & $5,000 Hilliard Education Foundation NEW $50,000 Franklin Street Creative NEW $25,000-$50,000 Resurrection Evangelical Luthern Church NEW $6,000 $263,500-$288,500 Life Care Alliance NEW $5,000 Darby Diamond Club NEW $500,000
In addition to the Darby Diamond Club, four other first-time applicants submitted funding requests, according to the city worksheet: the Hilliard Education Foundation seeking $50,000, Franklin Street Creative requesting between $25,000 and $50,000, Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church requesting $6,000, and Life Care Alliance requesting $5,000.
Read supporting passage
Historical Society $47,500 $47,500 Hilliard Arts Council $50,000 $55,000 Home in Hilliard $55,000 $35,000 Hilliard Food Pantry Plus $22,000 (Food only) $26,000 Patches of Light $5,000 $5,000 A Taste of Peace $20,000 $5,000 Hilliard Kiwanis Club Not Selected 2 Requests - $4,000 & $5,000 Hilliard Education Foundation NEW $50,000 Franklin Street Creative NEW $25,000-$50,000 Resurrection Evangelical Luthern Church NEW $6,000 $263,500-$288,500 Life Care Alliance NEW $5,000 Darby Diamond Club NEW $500,000
https://www.darbydiamondclub.com/indoor-practice-facility/
Supporting evidence (1)
According to organization records, Coach Fugitt presented a plaque officially naming the new building The Elavsky Practice Facility in recognition of contributions and efforts to the Darby Baseball Program.
Read supporting passage
Coach Fugitt surprised John and Stacey Elavsky with a special announcement and by presenting a plaque officially naming the new building "The Elavsky Practice Facility" in recognition of their contributions and efforts to the Darby Baseball Program.
https://hilliardohio.gov/non-profit-grant-request/
Supporting evidence (4)
To qualify, applicants must be IRS-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit entities based in the City of Hilliard that directly serve the local community.
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Must be an IRS registered tax-exempt not-for-profit (501c3) (include letter of IRS accreditation as part of application) based in the City of HilliardMust be located in, and serve, the Hilliard community.
Under municipal grant criteria, applications must meet one or more city goals: activities or events that appeal to a broad segment of Hilliard residents, enhance Hilliard's image or media coverage, add to quality of life, vibrancy, character and resident involvement, or provide services that help Hilliard residents.
Read supporting passage
Grant Criteria – applications must meet one or more of these goals:Activities and/or events that appeal to a broad segment of Hilliard residents.Enhances Hilliard’s image or increases media coverage (local/regional/national).Activities or events that add to Hilliard’s quality of life, vibrancy, character and resident involvement.Services that help the residents of Hilliard.
The city's grant instructions directed applicants to return all information by Aug. 31, 2026.
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Please return all information by Aug. 31, 2026.
Under city grant policy, annual program funding is subject to council approval of an anticipated not-to-exceed budget amount, and council retains the right to fully fund, partially fund, or not fund any request.
Read supporting passage
funding for this program is subject to Council approval of an anticipated not-to-exceed budget amount. All applications must be complete with required documentation attached. Council retains the right to fully fund, partially fund or not fund at all any request.
Hilliard Introduces Proposed 2027 Operating Budget and Pay Grade Overhaul
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique reported that Hilliard introduces its proposed 2027 operating budget and pay grade overhaul ahead of council public hearings.
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Hilliard Introduces Proposed 2027 Operating Budget and Pay Grade Overhaul