Paulding County Area Foundation

06/18/2026

The Paulding County Area Foundation is pleased to announce a grant award to Defiance Area Youth For Christ to help support Paulding County students attending the organization's BreakAway Ministry camp. The grant was awarded during the Foundation's December 2025 grant cycle.

BreakAway is a one-night camp experience designed for students in grades 6–8 and serves as a key event in Youth for Christ's ministry year. The program provides young people with opportunities to build positive relationships, explore their faith, and develop connections with caring adult mentors and peers in a safe and encouraging environment.
Funding from the Paulding County Area Foundation will help offset the cost of attendance for Paulding County students, ensuring more local youth have the opportunity to participate in the experience regardless of financial circumstances.

"The Paulding County Area Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life throughout Paulding County by supporting programs that invest in our residents and strengthen our communities," said Lisa McClure, Foundation Director. "By helping local students participate in Youth for Christ's BreakAway Ministry, we are supporting opportunities that encourage personal growth, positive relationships, mentorship, and leadership development among our youth. Investing in young people today helps build a stronger community for tomorrow."

The grant is one of several awarded during the Foundation's most recent grant cycle, reflecting the organization's ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Paulding County residents through strategic investments in education, youth development, health, and community programs.

Learn more about the Paulding County Area Foundation please visit our website at www.pauldingcountyareafoundation.com or to learn more about Defiance Youth for Christ please visit: www.defyfc.org

06/06/2026

Wishing all our 4H youth a wonderful and successful Fair week! We know your hard work and dedication will pay off and we look forward to seeing your projects. Hope it’s a great year for all!

Paulding County Fairgrounds Events
Paulding County 4-H Program

05/14/2026

The Paulding County Area Foundation is proud to announce the awarding of more than $70,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors and students across Paulding County for the 2026 academic year. Through the generosity of local donors, families, memorial funds, and community supporters, these scholarships continue to invest in the future of local students and strengthen opportunities for higher education, workforce development, and community leadership.

Scholarships were awarded to students from Antwerp Local Schools, Paulding Exempted Village Schools, and Wayne Trace Local Schools.

2026 Scholarship Recipients:

Antwerp High School
2026 JP Crain Scholarship Recipients
Leigha Doster, Raeley Franklin, Miley Jewell, Addisen Lehman, Haydyn Lengacher, Estee Lichty, Lillyanna McKay, Zaine McMichael, Harlee Moore, Landon Orozco, Hampton Rogge, Taylor Stiebling, and Raelynne Zuber.

Jessica Thornell Memorial Scholarship
Harlee Moore, Halley Hathaway, Raelynne Zuber, Marcelo Cruz, and Raeley Franklin

Anonymous Donor Scholarship Recipients
Zaine McMichael, Griffin Kosch, and Hampton Rogge

Paulding High School:

2026 JP Crain Scholarship Recipients
Landen Danberry, Jacob Harris, Addison Hunt, Molly Iler, Trenton Manz, Clayton Manz, Aleah Matty, and Hope Peters.

Dr. Orval Lee Mullen Memorial Scholarship
Trenton Manz

Dianne L. Cooper Bobcat Community Service Recipient
Trenton Manz

Anonymous Donor Scholarship Recipients
Aleah Matty, Lucy Breir, and Logan Winke

Wayne Trace School:

2026 JP Crain Scholarship Recipients
Whitney Boroff, Audrey Dougal, Olivia Franklin, Riley Manz, Estrella Martinez Sandoval, Chloe McClure, Raegan McGarvey, Caitlyn Mead, Aubree Miller, Natalie Richie, Jack Schoenauer, Myleigh Sheets, Torree Sinn, Clay Stoller, Emma Stouffer, and Caroline Winans.

Robbie Seffernick Scholarship
Aubree Miller and Eric Reinhart

Agriculture Education Scholarship
Caitlyn Mead and Myleigh Sheets

Hey Buddy Scholarship
Emma Stouffer

Brian Myers Memorial Scholarship
Myleigh Sheets

Tammy Gibson Memorial Scholarship
Alicia Bahena

Anonymous Donor Scholarship Recipients
Olivia Franklin, Caroline Winans, and Raegan McGarvey

“The Paulding County Area Foundation is honored to support these outstanding students as they pursue their future goals,” stated Lisa McClure the Executive Director of the Foundation. “These scholarships represent the generosity and lasting impact of donors who believe in investing in the next generation of leaders, workers, educators, healthcare professionals, and community members right here in Paulding County.”

The Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to all scholarship donors, selection committees, school staff, and community supporters who make these opportunities possible year after year.

To learn more about the Paulding County Area Foundation or ways to support future scholarships, visit our website.

05/04/2026

Moving Mountains Monday!
We had a wonderful 2025 year, all thanks to our contributors! At our annual appreciation banquet we were able to share our year of success. We are so appreciative of those who helped us "move mountains," and we hope you are proud of your Paulding County Area Foundation!

2026 PCAF Annual Appreciation

05/01/2026

Lifting up our amazing organizations that help those in need is what its all about! A little impact goes a long way and we are thankful for all the Paulding county senior center does for our seniors!

04/24/2026

We exist to enrich the quality of life of Paulding County residents and supporting hunger needs fits that mission. We are proud to support the Caring & Sharing Food Pantry and all thier efforts to combat food insecurity.

04/17/2026

We here at the Paulding County Area Foundation take great pride in supporting the education of the children in our county. One program that we supported this year through Science Central will allow the Early 5 Students at Antwerp Local School District to take a field trip and emerse themselves in STEM based activies to foster growth and excitement for science, technology, engineering and mathmatics. We adored the thank you letter from all the children and their sweet little signatures! 🥹
We hope you have the best time! 🔬🔭🩺📈🌎

04/09/2026

Scholarship applications close tomorrow! Here is a great opportunities for our local Seniors to earn scholarships to advance thier education!
If you have a senior looking to go to college next year, we highly encourgage them to read about all the different schoolarship opportunities available through our website: https://www.pauldingcountyareafoundation.com/scholarships

Antwerp Local School District
Paulding Exempted Village Schools
Wayne Trace Local Schools
Vantage Career Center

04/02/2026

Our offices will be closed for Good Friday.
We hope everyone has a Blessed Easter!

03/31/2026

Our Annual Appreciation Banquet went wonderfully. Thank you to everyone who attended, to our amazing board for helping set up and host the event and to our incredible contributors who help make all of our achievements possible!

What a remarkable year!

A huge thanks to Representatives Roy Klopfenstein and Josh Williams for making a special appearance.

Our 2025 Annual Report is available here:
https://www.pauldingcountyareafoundation.com/copy-of-paul-f-marshall-memorial-fo