The OSUM Pay It Forward Project evolved nine years ago from the federal Pay It Forward Student Philanthropy Initiative, which addresses critical economic needs in communities through student-led grant making and volunteerism. Now an important part of securing funding for Marion-area non-profit organizations, this partnership between United Way of Marion County and The Ohio State University at Marion provides grant funds totaling $5000 for disbursement by students learning about community needs and the efforts of local organizations to meet those needs.

The students taking part in this year’s Pay It Forward program and representatives from local non-profit organizations met on Monday, December 9 to celebrate another successful collaboration and to announce the grant requesters who were awarded funds: Boys and Girls Club of Marion County ($3000); Goodwill of Marion County ($1000); Autism Support and More ($500); and Mobile Meals ($500).

Read more about the Pay It Forward program and this year’s results here.