The Impact of Change
The Impact of Change
By Brian Treece, President & CEO
2023 brought significant changes at The Community Foundation. We crossed some noteworthy grantmaking milestones, including $7.5 million in advocacy funds leveraged and more than $85 million granted since our inception in 1992. Also last year, we announced more than $1.2 million was raised as part of our Brighter Tomorrows campaign for youth, which will make $50,000 available for youth initiatives annually.
Beyond just the dollar figures, we launched the fourth Hancock County Heart & Soul Community in Arcadia and work continued on the Arlington Heart & Soul project. We know from experience the transformational impact Community Heart & Soul can have in Hancock County.
Last but not least, the Foundation reopened its renovated downtown Findlay office. We’re excited to share the new Donnell Event Center with the community at various meetings, trainings and workshops this year and beyond. Please come visit when we’re open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. We’d love to give you a tour and share more about our work.
There is one common denominator for all of what was accomplished in 2023: each project will impact the future of both the Foundation and Hancock County. The advocacy funds will continue to support projects, the Brighter Tomorrows funds will grow and award annually, the Heart & Soul program will support all four Hancock County communities for years to come, our office will be available for many future meetings and events, and the $85 million granted since inception will only go up from here to continue improving the quality of life for all in the community.
2023 was a big year for the Foundation, but also the community at large. And we’re so excited to see what 2024 has to offer. A few of the things we’re most looking forward to in 2024 are the continuation of the Foundation’s Fun for All series of free community events, the April 8 solar eclipse events, and working with the agriculture community on Gifts of Grain.
For a full report on the impact the Foundation had in the community last year, as well as a sneak peak of what we’re looking forward to in 2024, view the year in review video above. Follow our social media pages and subscribe to our newsletter via the links on our website to stay up to date with the latest TCF news. We’re looking forward to seeing the impact of what was accomplished this year and beyond.
This editorial was originally printed in The Courier Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
