Burton D. Morgan Foundation awards $3.2 million in grants to support entrepreneurship

The Burton D. Morgan Foundation has awarded $3.2 million in grants to support entrepreneurship in Northeast Ohio.

“We are thrilled to support entrepreneurs across Northeast Ohio with resources and opportunities” said Dan Hampu, president and CEO of Burton D. Morgan Foundation, in a prepared statement. “These investments in innovative programs and dedicated organizations are designed to foster the entrepreneurial spirit and strengthen our regional economy. We are excited to see the impact these grants will have on our community and the future of entrepreneurship in our region.”

Recipients include:

∎ Ashland University: $80,000

∎ BRITE: $50,000

∎ Cleveland State University Foundation: $20,000

∎ Hebrew Free Loan Association: $50,000

∎ Kent State University Foundation: $40,000

∎ Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network: $17,800

∎ North Hill Community Development Corp.: $20,000

∎ Purdue University: $10,000

∎ Summit Artspace: $20,000

∎ Western Reserve Community Fund: $200,000

The foundation also awarded $1.67 million in grants to support the NEOLaunchNET initiative over the next two years. The program at Northeast Ohio colleges and universities serves students, alumni, staff and faculty interested in entrepreneurship and innovation. The five recipient institutions are:

∎ Baldwin Wallace University: $280,000

∎ Case Western Reserve University: $360,000

∎ John Carroll University: $290,000

∎ Kent State University Foundation: $425,000

∎ Lorain County Community College Foundation: $315,000

The foundation awarded $943,000 in grants to support youth entrepreneurship through YIPPEE Exchange, an educator program. The recipients are:

∎ Effective Leadership Academy: $5,000

∎ Emmanuel Christian Academy: $20,000

∎ Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio: $100,000

∎ Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland: $120,000

∎ Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio: $270,000

∎ Project Invent: $20,000

∎ University School: $408,000

The foundation presented a grant to Ashland University for education on free enterprise:

∎ Morgan Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship: $80,000

Finally, the foundation awarded 10 grants totaling $53,500 to benefit the Hudson community. Organizations receiving grants:

∎ Destination Hudson: $6,000

∎ Hudson City Schools: $10,000

∎ Hudson Community First: $6,000

∎ Hudson Community Foundation: $2,500

∎ Hudson Community Service Association: $8,000

∎ Hudson Montessori School: $5,000

∎ Hudson-Landsberg Sister City: $5,000

∎ Leadership Hudson: $3,000

∎ Music from the Western Reserve: $3,000

∎ The Hudson Players Guild: $5,000

Philanthropist Burt Morgan established the foundation in 1967. Its mission is to champion the entrepreneurial spirit, contribute to a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem and serve as a leader in the field of entrepreneurship education.

For more information, visit www.bdmorganfdn.org .

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Burton D. Morgan Foundation awards $3.2 million in grants to support entrepreneurship