Youth Mental Health and Youth Healthy Living Focus of Mary Rutan Foundation Wellness Grant Program

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024-2025 Mary Rutan Foundation Community Wellness Grant program.  The purpose of the grant program is to foster community partnerships in the promotion and support of a healthier Logan County, by addressing areas of health-related risk and need in the community.

​In 2023, mental health was identified as the highest priority of health risk and need in Logan County in the Community Health Assessment.  Furthermore, there is an increased concern about mental health for our youth.  Through a survey administered to Logan County students during the 2023-2024 school year, 17% of combined 8th, 10th, and 12th graders indicated having attempted suicide in the past and 20% reported feeling sad or depressed all or most of the time in the past thirty days.

In addition, the majority of respondents of the Community Health Assessment named obesity and healthy lifestyle choices as a moderate or very serious issue facing Logan County.

To address these concerns, youth mental health and youth healthy living were selected as the focus areas for grant requests ranging from $500 to $5,000 during the 2024-2025 grant cycle. 

“Mary Rutan Foundation is committed to the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve, especially that of our youth”, states Tammy Gump, foundation chief operating officer.  “We believe we can be most successful through community partnerships focused on targeted initiatives.  Area schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are invited to join us in our pursuit of a healthier Logan County”, states Gump.

Applications and all required documentation must be submitted by midnight on October 28, 2024.  The application may be accessed on the Mary Rutan Health website at https://www.maryrutan.org/forms/community-wellness-grant-application/ and must be submitted electronically.

The Mary Rutan Foundation Community Wellness Grant program began in 2014.  Since then, nearly $470,000 has been awarded to community partners addressing health and wellness needs identified in Logan County.  Several of these programs continue in our community today, sustained through new partnerships and funding resources.

Questions regarding the grant or qualification guidelines may be directed to Mary Rutan Foundation at (937) 599-7003 or via email at [email protected].