L. Dale Dorney: Hancock County’s Founding Father of Philanthropy

When L. Dale Dorney first visited the offices of the Cleveland Foundation in the early 1970’s, he arrived unannounced in his usual business attire. During his conversation with foundation staff, Mr. Dorney made quite an impression with his sophisticated knowledge of the worlds of finance and law, and his creative vision of public giving.

They had no way of knowing that day whether he had five hundred or five thousand dollars to give. But his keen understanding and passion for the enduring spirit of philanthropy were easily recognized.

Most people who encountered L. Dale Dorney during his lifetime were unaware of the unique life and industrious nature that lay behind his quaint, unpretentious exterior. A private man, he lived the majority of his 90 years in his native Findlay, Ohio. Although he made his mark as an astute businessman and wise investor, he always down-played his material wealth. In fact, few people knew the extent to which he had pursued his life-long quest of building substantial personal assets and establishing a trust that would serve the people of his community for many generations to come.

In 1976, he left the Cleveland Foundation a $2.2 million dollar bequest dedicated to improving the quality of life in Findlay and Hancock County. He hoped that this gift might one day form the nucleus of a community foundation. His dream came to fruition in 1992 when the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation was established as a supporting organization of the Cleveland Foundation.

On February 28, 1999, the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation became an independent entity and the Dorney Fund assets designated for Hancock County were returned to our community.

What started as one man’s generous gift to his community, has been further expanded by local residents. Today, the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is one of the more than 80 community foundations in Ohio and 700 community foundations nationwide.

Since 1976, the Dorney Fund has provided more than $10.3 million dollars to support the work of the Community Foundation and other local nonprofit agencies. And through the power of endowment, where gifts are invested and earnings are used to make grants that address community needs, Mr. Dorney’s gift will keep giving, and growing, forever. That’s the power of a charitable fund with the Community Foundation. Your good work far outlasts your lifetime.

In 1989, the Community Foundation documented the life of L. Dale Dorney in a small book. If you would like to receive a complimentary copy of this book, please contact our office at 419-425-1100 or email us at info@community-foundation.com.