Olney Civic Fund Grants Awarded

2025  Total of $25,000
  • ​Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department will have the funds to update their fire safety trailer enabling them to continue to educate the public on fire safety and what it is like to be in a house fire along with what to do.
  • The Olney Rotary will install two automated external defibrillators (AEDs) which provides life saving equipment to those who experience a cardiac event when every minute counts. This completes their project of having one in each of the shopping centers in town.  
  • Sherwood Community Chamber Choir will receive funds to support staff so people of all ages can sing.
  • Sherwood High School Compostology will reduce food waste by 50% by setting up compost bins in the cafeteria educating the future generation with how to positively impact the environment.
  • MedStar Montgomery Medical Center will renovate the Addiction and Mental Health Center making it a safer and more welcoming environment for patients and their families.

2024   Total of $25,000
  • Olney HELP - for Emergency Financial Assistance program for households in need for overdue rent, utilities or the purchase of essential medications
  • Sandy Spring Museum - toward construction of the Folklife Hub that will break ground in June 2024
  • Friends of the Olney Farmer’s Market - to expand the Kid’s in Business Project at the Olney Farmer's and Artist Market
  • Winter Growth - for a portion of a bathroom renovation project
  • Sherwood Community Chamber Choir - funding a middle school choir director 
  • Olney Theatre Center - to support the Olney Outdoor program which expands the number of free shows available
  • The Women’s Board at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center - for improvements in the Thrift shop.
  • Sandy Spring Slave Museum - toward the programs “Ode to HBCUs” and “Latino-Caribbean Day Festival”
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From left to right: Jodi Finkelstein (OCF Gifting Chair), James Smith (OCF Chair), and Alison Weiss (Executive Director, Sandy Spring Museum)

​OCF Grant Awardee Sandy Spring Museum breaks ground

On the new Cultural Heritage Hub. Imagine a place where artistry is not just welcomed but celebrated. It is a space that's open 24/7, tailored to creative needs: rehearsal spaces, performance stages, and a supportive environment for grant writing, digital projects, and more. The Cultural Heritage Hub is more than just a physical space; it is a vibrant center for artistic collaboration and cultural exchange. It represents the museum's dedication to supporting and sharing the cultural heritage of everyone who calls Montgomery County home (adapted from their website).
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2022 Grant Winners
2023  Total of $25,000
  • Eagle Battalion Booster Club - purchase 4 new uniforms. In addition, Eagle Battalion Booster Club is awarded the 2023 Tent Management at Party in the Park for an additional $2,500 grant.
  • House of Hope - screenings in Olney of the film "My Ascension" a documentary film that is spreading hope and fighting suicide.
  • Olney Chamber of Commerce - provide a refrigerator in the Officer Noah Leotta Olney Police Satellite Station.
  • Olney Help - funding their emergency financial assistance. In addition, Olney Help received proceeds from the Barrel Aged Beer Event.
  • Olney Home for Life - funding for Senior Resources Fair that serves seniors in the upper part of the county.
  • Olney Theatre Center - support for Olney Outdoors, a two month event that amplifies diverse artists from the region and provides free and low cost performances for the Olney community.
  • Winter Growth - funding to purchase a commercial refrigerator and freezer for the adult daycare/assisted living program.
  • BSA Troop 457 - awarded the Parking Control for 2022 Party in the Park and received $3,600.
​2019
  • Olney Help - emergency financial assistance for three Olney families in need
  • Olney Theatre - enabling more students to participate in the New Voices Theatre Training Program
  • Winter Growth - purchase of medicine cart enabling more interaction with residents
  • Project Change - underwriting activities for their first annual Oktoberfestival (October 2019)
2018
  • Olney Theatre to support additional sensory sensitive shows for those on the autism spectrum
  • Olney Help to support two families with financial assistance
  • Olney Farmers and Artists Market to support their kids entrepreneur's program.  
​2017
  • Project Change to support Teen Coffeehouses with live music organized by and for teens
  • Olney Help to support two families
  • Our House to fund art supplies for their new art therapy program
  • First Generation College Bound to support several Sherwood HS seniors through the college application process
2015
  • Project Change to support Teen Coffeehouses which has live music by and for teens
  • Olney Adventist Preparatory School to work with Olney Civic Fund to plan and run the Olney Golf Classic.  Proceeds will be shared


Impact of Olney Civic Fund Grants


​The impact of Winter Growth's new medicine cart:

Having a medicine cart has improved staff oversight. Instead of having one staff member farther from the residents gathering medications, the cart allows all staff to be in close proximity of our residents.  We are thankful for the funds provided by the Olney Civic Fund.  
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~Cyndi Rogers, Executive Director
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Jodi Finkelstein, OCF Gifting Chair
​and Jackie Vok from Olney Help


​A shortened, edited excerpt from Pat Westlein at Olney Help:

I am reminded by OCF's generosity every day I spend time on Olney Help service.  Thank you seems so trite, but know that [the grant we received] will support at least three households. As you likely know, much of greater Olney's low-income population is hidden. With OCF's consistent help, we can support those less fortunate and those who have lost income as a result of COVID-19. Again, thank you for recognizing our community needs through Olney Help and others.
It is thanks to partners like the Olney Civic Fund that we are able to inspire local youth, who are most in need of the transformative performing arts experiences.
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OTC is also committed to ensuring students of all backgrounds may participate in the program [New Voices]. Given the financial strain that many families are experiencing, OTC will eliminate all fees for the 2020 program. Support from the Olney Civic Fund helps to make this possible. Thank you again for your generous investment in our mission to inspire and dedicate the next generation of theatre-makers.

~Michael Merier, Institutional Giving Manager at the Olney Theatre Center (OTC)
Debbie Ellinghaus from Olney Theatre Center
and Jodi Finkelstein, OCF Gifting Chair
Olney Farmers and Artists Market Members