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New Albany, Ohio
Building stronger communities
through connection, opportunity + well-being.
Our belief
We believe people and communities are works in progress.
As such, we support organizations and initiatives that help build a strong community, foster individual belonging and promote physical and mental health.
Mershad Family Foundation
The building blocks
A stronger community is not one thing. It is assembled from many.
Connection
People who know one another build differently.
Opportunity
A door held open changes what someone can become.
Well-being
Health of body and mind is the ground on which everything else stands.
Areas of support
Where our focus becomes action.
Our areas of funding focus include individual and community betterment efforts in:
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Visual + Performing Arts
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Education + Technology
Sara + Rick
A long-standing commitment to New Albany.
Sara and Rick Mershad are longtime New Albany residents whose community involvement spans approximately 25 years, with a particular focus on health and well-being, arts and culture, education and experiences that bring people together.
In 2008, they established the Mershad Family Fund through the New Albany Community Foundation with a mission incorporating the arts into STEM programming. Their support has contributed to New Albany institutions and initiatives including the McCoy Center for the Arts, Hinson Amphitheater, wellness programming and the Mershad Digital Experience.
- New Albany
- Longtime residents
- Community involvement
- Approximately 25 years
- Mershad Family Fund
- Established 2008 through the New Albany Community Foundation
- 2023 recognition
- Jeanne & John G. McCoy Community Service Award
A Foundation initiative
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 · 6 PM
22 New Albany Farms Road · New Albany, Ohio
Relaxed Elegance Attire · Valet Parking Provided
Event questions: eventsrsvp@nationwidechildrens.org
An evening dedicated to supporting child and adolescent mental health programs and services offered through Nationwide Children's Hospital.
The evening will feature the 1964 Porsche 904 GTS, a celebrated mid-engine racing classic that debuted at the 1964 Targa Florio.
Event Info →Tickets + Sponsorship
Community impact
Many individual pieces. One stronger community.
Grant consideration
Supporting
organizations that
strengthen our community.
The Mershad Family Foundation considers requests from organizations that meet the following criteria:
Location
Located in or serving New Albany
Organizations must be located in New Albany or provide services that benefit the New Albany community.
Registration
Registered 501(c)(3)
Organizations must be recognized as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Deadlines
Submission Deadlines
Grant requests are accepted for the Foundation’s October 1 and April 1 submission deadlines.
Interested in applying?
The Foundation’s online grant application is coming soon and will be available here. Each completed submission will receive an acknowledgement of receipt.
Next submission deadline
April 1, 2027
A stronger community is never finished. It is always a work in progress.