Reflection and Foresight – 30 Years of the Foundation
On Wednesday we held The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation’s Annual Celebration where we recognized the work accomplished in 2021. Last year we granted 808 grants totaling $3.2 million. This was made possible by the 680 donors who gave a total of $6.3 million. Additionally, we had more than 200 volunteers serve on various board committees, scholarship and grant review committees and our board. Our work would not be possible without the community coming together to make it happen, and we are stronger because of it. You can read more about our impact in our Annual Report at community-foundation.com.
At the Celebration, we reflected on what a difference 30 years of the Foundation has made in the community. We’ve seen many full circle moments. A donor investing in a cause they care about, partnering with the Foundation, and tangible change. These stories are many since the inception of The Community Foundation, and infinitely more become possible each year with our growth.
Anniversaries are a time to celebrate, reminisce and dream about the future. Our staff spent time going through records, videos, stories, pictures, even listening to cassette tapes of early interviews with Dale Dorney’s neighbors and coworkers. In our research, we found a script from the 1983 annual meeting of our predecessor organization the Dorney Fund. This included comments from Dorney Fund Chairman Judge Allan Davis, who was a champion of the Foundation. In his comments, he said
“It is with the generosity of time, ideas and wisdom, coupled with the commitment and energy of our grant recipients that transforms L. Dale Dorney’s legacy into a conduit through which so many people make life better for each other. And after all, isn’t that what community is all about?”
Now as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Foundation, I am proud of how much we have accomplished together. We being the Foundation and each of you, our donors, partners, community members, organizations and friends. I always say we’re at our best and strongest when we work together and the past 30 years of the Foundation are an amazing example of that.
In 30 years, 2,000 volunteers have been involved in our work. Over 6,500 donors have given to support our community and the work of the Foundation. More than 10,500 grants have been awarded and, a number we’re incredibly proud of, over $70 million has been granted.
The best part is we’re just getting started. Together, we’ve accomplished so much and together we’ll grow and continue to improve the quality of life for all in the community.
It will take all of us working together to make a lasting community impact. If you’re interested in exploring all the ways you can partner with The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, please contact us at community-foundation.com or (419) 425-1100.
This editorial was originally printed in The Courier Friday, June 17, 2022.
