Hilliard Council to Review Non-Profit Grants as Baseball Booster Requests $500,000
The Darby Diamond Club requested $500,000, while other non-profit requests on the city worksheet total $263,500 to $288,500.
Hilliard City Council is scheduled to convene a special meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to review non-profit funding applications.
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
The review session is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Hilliard Municipal Building, 3800 Municipal Way, according to the special meeting agenda. Council members and City Manager Joshua Rauch are scheduled to attend the public session at City Hall.
Previously, Pique Media reported on the city's proposed 2027 operating budget on Oct. 13.
Booster Club Request Tops Applications
Under business of the council, the agenda includes a funding worksheet to review non-profit funding applications.
The Darby Diamond Club submitted a new request for $500,000.
The organization previously funded an indoor practice facility dedicated on Oct. 3, 2014, before donating the facility to the school district as a gift.
On the city worksheet, other non-profit requests total $263,500 to $288,500, while the Darby Diamond Club requested $500,000.
Recurring Civic Groups and New Applicants
The Hilliard Arts Council, which received $50,000 in 2026, requested $55,000. The Hilliard Historical Society requested $47,500, matching the $47,500 it received in 2026.
Home in Hilliard, which received $55,000 in 2026, requested $35,000. Hilliard Food Pantry Plus requested $26,000 after receiving $22,000 for food purchases in 2026.
Patches of Light, which received $5,000 in 2026, requested $5,000. A Taste of Peace requested $5,000 after receiving $20,000 in 2026.
The Hilliard Education Foundation submitted a new request for $50,000. Franklin Street Creative submitted a new request for between $25,000 and $50,000.
Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church submitted a new request for $6,000. Life Care Alliance submitted a new request for $5,000.
The Hilliard Kiwanis Club, which was not selected for funding in 2026, submitted two separate funding requests for $4,000 and $5,000.
Municipal Grant Guidelines and Council Discretion
Under Hilliard's municipal community grant guidelines, applicants must be IRS-registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations based in Hilliard that are located in and serve the local community. Applications must meet one or more grant criteria goals, including activities or events that appeal to a broad segment of Hilliard residents, enhance Hilliard's image, add to community quality of life and vibrancy, or provide services that help residents.
Under municipal guidelines, ineligible entities include individuals, for-profit organizations, projects outside Hilliard, and organizations with budget deficits incurred prior to application.
City Council holds funding authority to fully fund, partially fund or not to fund any given request. Council may also limit the number of years any particular non-profit can apply to receive funds, and repeat applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a plan for financial stability not dependent on this grant program.
Grant recipients must provide a detailed list of expenses to the Director of Finance by Jan. 31 of the following year.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Special Meeting · 2026-10-27 · agenda
Supporting evidence (19)
Hilliard City Council is scheduled to convene a special meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to review non-profit funding applications.
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Special Council Meeting 4:00 PM Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Hilliard City Council is scheduled to convene a special meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to review non-profit funding applications.
Read supporting passage
Review Council Non-Profit Funding Applications.
The review session is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Hilliard Municipal Building, 3800 Municipal Way, according to the special meeting agenda.
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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
Council members and City Manager Joshua Rauch are scheduled to attend the public session at City Hall.
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
Under business of the council, the agenda includes a funding worksheet to review non-profit funding applications.
Read supporting passage
Review Council Non-Profit Funding Applications. Funding Worksheet1 4
The Darby Diamond Club submitted a new request for $500,000.
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Darby Diamond Club NEW $500,000
On the city worksheet, other non-profit requests total $263,500 to $288,500, while the Darby Diamond Club requested $500,000.
Read supporting passage
$263,500-$288,500
On the city worksheet, other non-profit requests total $263,500 to $288,500, while the Darby Diamond Club requested $500,000.
Read supporting passage
Darby Diamond Club NEW $500,000
The Hilliard Arts Council, which received $50,000 in 2026, requested $55,000.
Read supporting passage
Hilliard Arts Council $50,000 $55,000
The Hilliard Historical Society requested $47,500, matching the $47,500 it received in 2026.
Read supporting passage
Historical Society $47,500 $47,500
Home in Hilliard, which received $55,000 in 2026, requested $35,000.
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Home in Hilliard $55,000 $35,000
Hilliard Food Pantry Plus requested $26,000 after receiving $22,000 for food purchases in 2026.
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Hilliard Food Pantry Plus $22,000 (Food only) $26,000
Patches of Light, which received $5,000 in 2026, requested $5,000.
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Patches of Light $5,000 $5,000
A Taste of Peace requested $5,000 after receiving $20,000 in 2026.
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A Taste of Peace $20,000 $5,000
The Hilliard Education Foundation submitted a new request for $50,000.
Read supporting passage
Hilliard Education Foundation NEW $50,000
Franklin Street Creative submitted a new request for between $25,000 and $50,000.
Read supporting passage
Franklin Street Creative NEW $25,000-$50,000
Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church submitted a new request for $6,000.
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Resurrection Evangelical Luthern Church NEW $6,000
Life Care Alliance submitted a new request for $5,000.
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Life Care Alliance NEW $5,000
The Hilliard Kiwanis Club, which was not selected for funding in 2026, submitted two separate funding requests for $4,000 and $5,000.
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Hilliard Kiwanis Club Not Selected 2 Requests - $4,000 & $5,000
Hilliard Introduces Proposed 2027 Operating Budget and Pay Grade Overhaul
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media reported on the city's proposed 2027 operating budget on Oct. 13.
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Hilliard Introduces Proposed 2027 Operating Budget and Pay Grade Overhaul
https://www.darbydiamondclub.com/indoor-practice-facility/
Supporting evidence (2)
The organization previously funded an indoor practice facility dedicated on Oct. 3, 2014, before donating the facility to the school district as a gift.
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OCTOBER 3, 2014
The organization previously funded an indoor practice facility dedicated on Oct. 3, 2014, before donating the facility to the school district as a gift.
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The indoor facility was funded by fundraising and private donations. No money was provided by the Hilliard City School District for this facility. The facility was donated to the Hilliard City School District as a gift.
https://hilliardohio.gov/non-profit-grant-request/
Supporting evidence (6)
Under Hilliard's municipal community grant guidelines, applicants must be IRS-registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations based in Hilliard that are located in and 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.
Applications must meet one or more grant criteria goals, including activities or events that appeal to a broad segment of Hilliard residents, enhance Hilliard's image, add to community quality of life and vibrancy, or provide services that help residents.
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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.
Under municipal guidelines, ineligible entities include individuals, for-profit organizations, projects outside Hilliard, and organizations with budget deficits incurred prior to application.
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Even if the above requirements are met, the following are not eligible to receive funding:IndividualsOrganizations desiring funding to travel outside, or projects outside, of HilliardOrganizations that are for-profitOrganizations with budget deficits incurred prior to application
City Council holds funding authority to fully fund, partially fund or not to fund any given request.
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City Council has the authority to fully fund, partially fund or not to fund any given request.
Council may also limit the number of years any particular non-profit can apply to receive funds, and repeat applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a plan for financial stability not dependent on this grant program.
Read supporting passage
City Council may also limit the number of years any particular non-profit can apply to receive funds.Repeat applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a plan for financial stability not dependent on this grant program.
Grant recipients must provide a detailed list of expenses to the Director of Finance by Jan. 31 of the following year.
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A detailed list of expenses for which the grant funding was used is required and must be provided to the Director of Finance by January 31, of the following year along with pictures of grant sponsored events for use in promotional marketing for the City of Hilliard.