Grants Awarded
The Elevar Fund celebrates our grantee partners of 2025
Regenerative Farming & Environmental Concerns
NECIC Urban Farm, Mansfield, OH
The North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC Urban Farm utilizes a brownfield site, transforming unused land into a source of healthy food in a food-insecure area. The Urban Farm provides incarcerated individuals with hands-on training in sustainable farming, soil health, and food systems while the produce grown on-site is donated to local food banks and pantries, reinforcing their commitment to food access and community service.
Ohio River Foundation, Cincinnati, OH
1,000 Acre Pollinator Project - The Elevar Fund is proud to partner with the Ohio River Foundation in the creation, restoration, and enhancement of 1,500-2,000 acres of pollinator habitat. This will be the largest landscape-size habitat restoration project ever in Southwest Ohio/Northern Kentucky/Southeast Indiana. As the monarch butterfly is considered for federal protection and other pollinator species are threatened, protected, or in decline due to habitat loss, this project holds huge potential to reverse this species decline. The value of pollinators to overall ecological heath and food production is immeasurable.
A small urban farm growing on vacant lots in Lorain, OH, Solidarity Farm's mission is to use food and farming as the vehicle for social change, namely being in solidarity with their neighbors and providing nutrient-dense and affordable produce locally. The cancellation of federal contracts proved challenging for the Farm, as their growth and expansion plans were already in motion for 2025. We are proud to partner with them to help continue their mission during this growing season.
*photo courtesy of Solidarity Farms
Entrepreneurship & Invention
Nestled in the foothills of Appalachian Ohio, Rural Action was founded in 1991 on the principle that locally-based, sustainable, and inclusive development is the main strategy for building resilient rural Appalachian communities. Rural Action’s mission is to build a more just economy by developing the region’s assets in environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable ways.Appalachian Ohio Native Plant Nursery
The Elevar Fund is proud to partner with Rural Action in their development of the "Appalachian Ohio Native Plant Nursery." This will expand their native plants nursery to grow a total of 60,000 regionally appropriate and locally sourced (known provenance) trees and shrubs for restoration projects, create a network of growers, build up RA Nursery’s fulfillment–this strategy is critical in our rural region (dispersed population) and secure critical supplies for RA and other growers in the network.
Immigrant & Refugee Support Services
Emanuel Food Pantry, Durham, NC
The mission of the Emanuel Food Pantry is to provide fresh, nutritious food to families facing food insecurity, with a particular focus on underserved communities. Established in 2020, EFP is now the largest and most effective food pantry in Durham.
Hannah's Treasure Chest, Miamisburg, OH
Hannah's Treasure Chest (HTC) is the only comprehensive basic needs bank serving children in the Dayton region. HTC's programs allow families in need to focus their resources on essential living expenses, such as food, transportation, and housing. With their basic needs met, the children we serve are healthier, more confident, and prepared to achieve success.
With funding from the Elevar Fund for the Diaper Bank Initiative, HTC will reach its long-held goal of 300 diapers in each care package. This supports the health and wellbeing of thousands of local infants and toddlers in need and allow their families to redirect their limited resources towards housing and food.
Farming urban landscapes in the Twin Towers neighborhood of Dayton since 2009, Mission of Mary believes in cultivating community through nutritious food access, education, and land stewardship for a healthier, more just future. Due to federal cuts of the AmeriCorps program, the organization lost a much-needed position at the start of their busiest time of year. Needing to pivot, Mission of Mary created a seasonal farmer position for a local resident to fill this gap, a position the Elevar Fund is excited to partner with them to support.
Education & the Arts
The Tandana Foundation, Spring Valley, OH
The Tandana Foundation promotes the social and economic integration of internally displaced families in Bandiagara, Mali and access to education for their children. The Elevar Fund is proud to partner with them to provide food and hygiene supplies to 175 selected families, provide school supplies for 175 selected students, pay school fees for the students, and provide supplemental classes for the students to help them catch up with peers and succeed academically.
*photo courtesy of the Tandana Foundation
Regenerate Ohio Farms Grant (ROFG)
In Spring, 2025, the Elevar Fund, in partnership with Healing Soils Foundation, formed the Regenerate Ohio Farms Grant to offset financial disruptions and provide critical relief to Ohio farmers affected by delayed and cancelled federal funding.
Grass Powered Poultry, Hillsboro, OH - The sudden loss of Ohio CAN and LFPA funding created a deep and unexpected gap for Dana and Jesse Workman, owners of Grass Powered Poultry. Funding through the ROFG helped them pivot quickly and expand their direct-to-consumer sales model.
Guided By Mushrooms, Dayton, OH - is a veteran and female-owned GAP-certified cooperative mushroom farm. Specializing in all-natural, vegetarian-friendly gourmet and functional mushroom-based products for culinary, agricultural, and health/wellness clients, the ROFG allowed them to increase sales and marketing efforts while maintaining staffing needs despite the loss of LFPA funding.
Oaks & Sprouts, Urbana, OH - Using regenerative and natural farming techniques, owners Tonni and Graham Oberley are committed to producing socially and environmentally responsible food and agricultural products as part of the local food and economic system.
Parker Farms, Warren, OH - Parker Farms is a full-time urban farm located in Warren, Ohio, committed to sustainable agriculture, food access, and community empowerment. In addition to growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs, the Farm hosts youth training programs, supports beginner farmers, and provides produce to local schools, daycares, and residents in underserved areas.
*photo courtesy of Parker Farms