THE 577 FOUNDATION

Join Our Team at 577! ?? ?? ?? Passionate about education, the arts, and community engagement? We’re hiring two part-time Program Assistants to help bring our mission to life! What You’ll Do: ?? Assist with the coordination and execution of 577’s educational programs and special events ?? Prepare classroom spaces, welcome participants, and support instructors ??Help develop and teach at least two classes per month based on your expertise and community interests ??Represent 577 at outreach events and support initiatives like Music in the Gardens, Earth Month activities, StoryWalk? installations, and guided tours ??Provide excellent visitor service, process class registrations, and assist in the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop ??Perform opening and closing tasks, set up and reset spaces, and ensure a welcoming environment for all Position Details: ?? Part-time (up to 24 hrs/week) | $14/hr ?? Must be available Saturdays & some evenings ?? Ability to lift up to 50 lbs & valid driver’s license required If you love working in a dynamic nonprofit setting and want to make an impact through creativity, learning, and community connection, apply today! EOE View the full job description and application details at https://lnkd.in/g8Atpq34 #577Foundation #JobOpening #CommunityEngagement #Education #NonprofitJobs #NWOhio #Perrysburg #Toledo #Maumee #BowlingGreen #Rossford #JoinOurTeam #NowHiring

We’re Hiring! ? ?? Looking for a fun and meaningful way to spend your summer outdoors? 577 is hiring seasonal staff members to join our properties team! As part of our team, you'll help care for our beautiful gardens and grounds, welcome visitors, and support 577’s mission through hands-on projects. If you love working outside, have a passion for sustainability, or are interested in organic gardening, this could be the perfect fit for you! ? Up to 35 hours per week ? May through August (some flexibility with start and end dates) ? General working hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday ? Work in a beautiful, inspiring setting Join this fantastic crew ( ?? pictured here, summer of 2023!) and make a real impact in the community. Learn more & apply today at https://lnkd.in/gtFHktQ8 #577Foundation #NowHiring #SummerJobs #OutdoorWork #OrganicGardening #Sustainability #Perrysburg #Toledo #NWOhio #BowlingGreen #Maumee #NWOhioJobs #SummerFun #MakeADifference

Seeds with a Story: Cultivating Beauty, Flavor, and Connection ?? ?? There’s nothing quite as magical as growing a plant from seed—watching life emerge from a tiny package is like alchemy. And a cold, icy day is the perfect time to start planning your future garden. While the ground may be frozen, your gardening dreams don’t have to be. For the second year, 577 is offering a carefully curated selection of seeds from our gardens—each with a unique story, chosen for their beauty, resilience, and strong connection to northwest Ohio’s climate. From pollinator-friendly milkweed to flavorful Aji peppers and stunning heirloom cosmos, these seeds are ready to spark new growth in your garden. Read more in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/gdU2w7C2 #SeedsWithAStory #GrowWith577 #GardenDreaming #577Foundation #Perrysburg #NWOhio #Gardening

Happy National Puzzle Day! ?? ? Every puzzle piece is a little spark of curiosity—fitting together ideas, unlocking creativity, and revealing something new. Whether you’re lost in a great book, deep in a jigsaw challenge, or crafting a masterpiece, the joy is in the discovery. At 577, we love embracing that sense of wonder. To celebrate, we’re extending our 50% off sale on books and magazines and are now adding puzzles, games, craft supplies, and art supplies—including yarn! This special sale runs through Friday, February 28 in the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop. Each item is an invitation to explore, create, and challenge yourself in new ways. Plus, March classes are now open! Whether you're diving into a new medium, experimenting with fresh ideas, or simply following your curiosity, creativity is all about discovery. Stop by the Curiosity Shop Monday–Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and let’s keep creating, learning, and puzzling together. #NationalPuzzleDay #CuriosityAndCreativity #ExploreCreateDiscover #577Foundation #Perrysburg #FebruaryClasses #MarchClasses #Toledo

January Volunteer Spotlight: Last week, BGSU students, faculty, and staff celebrated the lasting impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with their 17th annual, campus-wide #MLKDayofService, reflecting Dr. King's dedication to creating positive change through service. 577 was thrilled to partner with BGSU as one of many locations that received volunteer support from some dedicated individuals who chose to spend their day “off” giving back to their community. Volunteers worked with horticulture staff to provide cleanup and plant and pond maintenance in the dome, as well as help sorting and organizing Curiosity Shop donations. 577 commends all BGSU participants for their selfless commitment to the public good! Way to go, Falcons! #577Foundation #BGSU #FalconPride #CommunityService #GiveBack #VolunteerDay #Horticulture #PlantCare #GreenhouseLife #CuriosityShop #ServiceAboveSelf #Teamwork #PublicGood #MakeAnImpact

Community Artist Spotlight: Nature Meets Art in the Work of Susan Cayton! We’re thrilled to showcase Susan’s extraordinary creations, which capture the intricate beauty of eco-dyeing. From scarves and table runners to stunning art display pieces, each item is hand-dyed with natural materials, making every piece truly one of a kind. With over 50 years of experience as a fiber artist and arts educator, Susan masterfully combines spinning, weaving, dyeing, and felting, all inspired by her deep connection to nature and tradition. She holds a BS in Art Education and an MA in Art from Ball State, with additional studies at Bowling Green State University. Susan is also a proud member of the Toledo Area Weavers Guild, the Black Swamp Spinners Guild, MLH, and HGA. Visit the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop to explore her unique collection, available now through March 31. The shop is open Monday–Saturday, 10am to 5pm.

Host Your Next Meeting or Retreat at 577! Looking for a unique and inspiring spot for your next meeting, training, or retreat? 577 offers TWO historic spaces designed to create memorable, productive experiences for community organizations, schools, governmental organizations, and community-minded businesses. The Cottage: A cozy, private meeting space for up to 12 to 14 people. Features include a large meeting table, breakout room with comfy furniture, kitchen, and bathroom—perfect for intimate discussions and brainstorming sessions. Virginia’s House: A versatile meeting space with multiple reservable rooms for groups of up to 30. With its bright, welcoming energy, it’s an ideal choice for retreats or collaborative planning sessions. Add an Experience! Take your gathering to the next level with a custom group class! Whether you’re looking for a creative outlet, team-building activity, or something fun and educational, 577 offers workshops led by our expert educators, artists, and horticulturists. We provide all the supplies—just bring your group and enjoy! Book Your Space Online! We’ve made it easier than ever with our all-new online reservation forms, plus new pricing designed to meet the needs of our community. Learn more and reserve your meeting or workshop space today at https://lnkd.in/gzgRFTmV Please Note: These spaces are shared for educational and community benefit and cannot be reserved for personal social gatherings (e.g., parties, showers, reunions, or weddings) or for sales, commercial, or promotional purposes, including fundraising events. Reservations are scheduled around 577’s mission-driven community classes. #577Foundation #MeetingSpaces #CreativeWorkshops #Perrysburg #TeamBuilding #Experience577

Around the Grounds with Bennett ?? We often lament snow; it can be like a houseguest who arrives when we don’t expect and outstays their welcome. However, horticulturally speaking, snow has many benefits to our gardens. When snow particles fall through the atmosphere, nitrogen and other trace minerals and nutrients such as sulfur bind with the particles, acting like a natural fertilizer. Just like a slow-release fertilizer, snow melts slowly and gradually releases these nutrients into the soil. Snow also acts as a natural form of insulation over the soil and plants, preventing the damaging swings in temperature inherent to this time of year. Lastly, the melting process also represents a gradual release of moisture into the ground when compared to heavy rains that can erode exposed surfaces common in winter. With all this in mind, perhaps this winter you can appreciate all the work snow is doing in your garden and the benefits you will see in the growing season. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! ?? #AroundTheGrounds #WinterGardens #HorticultureTips #SnowBenefits #NaturalFertilizer #GardenCare #SoilHealth #WinterInsulation #MoistureMatters #ColdClimateGardening #SeasonalGardening #GardeningInWinter #SnowyGardens #Gardenlove #577Foundation #Perrysburg #NWOhio #Toledo #BowlingGreen

Basketry, Fellowship, and Folk Traditions ?? In late October, 577 Organic Garden Horticulturist Samantha Day immersed herself in a basketry course at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. This experience was a deep dive into the world of traditional crafting, surrounded by a community that shares many of the same values as 577: hands-on learning, creativity, and the preservation of craft traditions. While there, Samantha learned to make four distinct Appalachian-style baskets, gaining valuable skills that she is thrilled to bring to her own classes at 577. In 2025, she is excited to offer basketry workshops using plant materials like English Ivy, wild grapevine, and willow sourced locally and from the grounds at 577. Her first workshop will be Basket Making: Small Gathering Basket, offered twice in January: ?? Saturday, January 18, 4 PM - 8 PM (FULL - Waitlist Available) ?? Friday, January 24, 12 PM - 4 PM (4 spots left!) Click the link below (or in our bio) to read Samantha’s blog about her journey into basketry. She’s looking forward to sharing what she learned and connecting with others who love crafting as much as she does! Blog Link >> https://lnkd.in/gBt27Bhp Explore Classes >> https://lnkd.in/g7sqFmw6 Plus! ??? If you missed the news ~ all January classes are now open for registration! What better way to kick off 2025 than by learning a new craft, connecting with others, and embracing creativity? What adventures will you explore in 2025? Share your ideas in the comments. #Explore577 #CraftYourAdventure #BasketryWorkshops #HandmadeWithLove #FolkTraditions #CreativeCommunity #LearnSomethingNew #SustainableCrafting #HandsOnLearning #NatureInspiredCrafts #AppalachianTraditions #BasketMaking #CraftLocal #JanuaryClasses #PreserveTheCraft #ArtOfBasketry #TraditionalCrafts #577Foundation #Perrysburg #Toledo #NWOhio #ExploreMore

Thank you to Greater Toledo Community Foundation for featuring us as part of their #GivingTuesday campaign! We’re honored to be highlighted and grateful for the support in sharing our mission. Open to all, 577 builds a creative, caring community through curiosity and lifelong learning. Thank you for helping us spread the word, and for all you do to uplift our community! New to 577? Learn more about 577 and the Curiosity Shop at 577foundation.org