2014-2015 ANNUAL REPORT Growing, Sharing, Inspiring, Leading Greetings to our Friends and Neighbors in Ashland County! As the Ashland County Community Foundation observes its 20th year of operation, we’re not certain that even the most optimistic of our predecessors could have envisioned the stable, successful organization that exists today. Community confidence in the Foundation’s ability to make impact, through grantmaking, is at an all-time high. In the pages of this 2014-2015 Annual Report, you’ll see much evidence of this. Growing an asset base of over $33 million has only been possible by the generous support of Ashland County donors who care about this wonderful community James M. Cutright and by the caring commitment of our all-volunteer Board of Trustees, providing Executive Director/CEO careful stewardship. Sharing over $8.5 million with students in need of scholarship assistance and non-profit agencies in need of grants to support their tremendous work in our community is continuing to impact the lives of, literally, thousands in Ashland County. Inspiring philanthropy by engaging over 6,300 donors, many of them first-time contributors, to participate with us in building endowment for the future has positioned ACCF as a hub of community engagement. Leading with programs and initiatives that support, among many causes, the interests of women through our ACCF Women’s Fund, as well as targeting the needs of youth Anne K. Cowen with our new IMPACT Youth Council, the Ashland County Community Foundation Board Chair is providing pathways for success in our community. A strong community foundation builds a strong community. It is exciting, each day, to see what new challenge or opportunity is awaiting us, and, in addition to our faithful donors, we especially appreciate the phenomenal leadership of all of our trustees, volunteers and incredible administrative support staff. To Date We are grateful for the privilege of serving the residents of Ashland County Dollars Given Back: and thank you for your continued support! $8,546,426 Regards, Funds: 328 Donors: 6,346 James M. Cutright Anne K. Cowen Assets: $33,333,670 Executive Director/CEO Board Chair 1 Ashland County Community Foundation • 2014-2015 Annual Report 2014-2015 Board of Trustees Trustee Roles and Responsibilities The fundamental role of the Ashland County Community Foundation Board of Trustees is to represent the interests of the Ashland County community. The ultimate decision-making authority of the Foundation rests in the hands of these individuals. The Board of Trustees functions as both a policy-making body and working board. Together with professional staff, they form a strong team. All trustees serve on two of the following committees: Advancement, Development, Finance, Grants, Hess Loan, Mini-Grants, Nominating, Scholarship, and Women’s Fund. The Board Chair is ex-officio on all committees. Officers of the Board serve on the Executive Committee. Past Board of Trustee Members Janet L. Archer Michael C. Bandy Sue E. Banks F. Dean Bartosic*+ Lucille G. Ford, Ph.D., Anne K. Cowen, Chair Dr. Andrew M. Stein, Kenneth E. Milligan, Anne F. Beer President Emerita Registered Dietician Vice Chair Treasurer Provost Emerita Safety & Wellness Otolaryngologist Senior Vice President Dr. W. S. Brechbuhler* Ashland University Coordinator Ashland ENT, Allergy Huntington Bank & Cowen Truck Line, Inc. & Hearing Aid Center FirstMerit Bank (Retired) William L. Buckingham Suzanne W. Carruthers William D. Chandler James M. Cutright Nancy T. Davis* Loreen M. Drushal Senator (Ret.) Bill M. Harris Patricia A. Byerly, James H. Hess, Past Chair Keith C. Boales Emily S. Hess, Ph.D. Edgar P. Haudenschild* Secretary Co-Owner & President Owner & President Visiting Assistant Funeral Home Owner Whitcomb & Hess, Inc. Boales Insurance Professor Robert C. Ingmand* & Operator (Retired) Agency, Inc. Ashland University Debra L. Lyons James E. McClure* Jay K. Myers Susanne C. Reineke Donald R. Rinehart, Ph.D. James A. Rosby* Dr. David M. Steury Charles A. Holdren Michael C. Huber John E. Miller Susan D. Shafer Charles D. Taylor CEO Sales Associate/Realtor Superintendent Studio Artist & Town & Country Co-Op Coldwell Banker/Ward Loudonville-Perrysville Community Leader Ralph V. Tomassi* Real Estate Exempted Village Schools Robert G. Ward II* Harvey N. Young* *Founding Trustee +deceased Donald G. Stump, Ph.D. Peggy L. Yoder Ann K. Guthrie Vice-President Community Leader Recording Secretary WIL Research Ashland County Community Foundation • 2014-2015 Annual Report 2 Staff & Volunteers The Ashland County Community Foundation endeavors to maintain low operational costs while providing exceptional donor service. Through our grantmaking we connect people who care with causes that matter. On average, operational costs are 1% of our assets. Operational support is funded by fee revenue and administrative endowments. The staff is here to serve you. We invite you to find out more about the Foundation and look forward to finding ways of “growing, sharing, inspiring and leading” in Ashland County. James Cutright Kristin Aspin Lanie Hartge Mindy Howman 2014-2015 ANNUAL REPORT Executive Director/CEO Vice President– Funds Administrator Executive Assistant Growing, Sharing, Operations Inspiring, Leading Volunteer Support ACCF’s volunteer program engages people in a variety of ways – from routine office tasks and bulk mailings to technology and bookkeeping needs to preliminary scholarship review and advisory committee participation. Joining the Board and staff, approximately 80 volunteers this past year assisted the Foundation in serving the community. Office/Operational Professional Scholarship Readers Advisory Committee Members Volunteers and Kids Who Care Evaluators Carolyn Amstutz Allison Barnhart Tami Markel Allan Andersen Debbie McNaull Shirley Austen Aubrey Bates Matt Miller John Ballinger Jay Myers Harriett Dickinson Laura Brenning Melanie Miller Mike Bandy Patrick Noser Liz Hosfeld Sherry Bryant Nancy Noble Aaron Bates Ron Paugh Kristi Kirtland Mindy Clever Lucille Nuss Dr. W. S. Brechbuhler Donald Rinehart Marty Kral Kelly Cooke James Pifer William Buckingham Jan Rinehart Jean Lonsinger Cindy Crist Lana Potter Suzanne Carruthers Denee Schlotterer Joyce Lingenfelter Lynette Cross Chasta Rhine William Chandler Helen Taylor Pat Perez Cindy Edwards Mandi Ross Nancy Davis Jane Taylor Carol Rogers Pat Edwards Jeanie Shultz Ed Haudenschild Becky Thoma Sandy Sexton Sara Garska Paige Squires Robert C. Ingmand Rob Wally Charlotte Sheppard Carl Gerbasi Keara Stillwell Marty Kral JoAnn Ford Watson Steve Sloan Cheryl Given Dorothy Stitzlein Dwight McElfresh Dan Wierbiki Melinda Haag Cathy Stoffer Gene Haberman Peg Stover *deceased Penny Hamilton Ann Stump Sue Heimann Deborah Sullivan Liz Hosfeld Helen Taylor Cindy Kerr Hayley Tracy Peg Kerr Mary Yordy Jacque Lingenfelter Danette Young Connie Marble 3 Ashland County Community Foundation • 2014-2015 Annual Report Your Community Foundation The Ashland County Community Foundation is • Informs and educates individuals, families and among more than 750 community foundations in the businesses about community issues and grant United States. Community foundations are tax-exempt, making opportunities. 501(c)(3) public charities that serve local donors who • Actively involves individuals, families and businesses wish to take an organized approach to giving. Because in identifying and responding to community issues community foundations are public charities, their donors and opportunities. enjoy increased tax advantages not available to private • Keeps all information obtained with respect to donors, foundation donors. Community foundation donors also funds and prospects for new fund creation confidential receive professional support without hiring staff. Unlike to the fullest extent possible. private foundations, community foundations invest and • Honors the charitable intentions of its donors administer a pool of funds contributed by numerous consistent with community needs and applicable donors. Together, these donors create an endowment - laws and regulations. in essence the community’s charitable savings account - designed to ensure the long-term health of the • Is a steward of charitable funds, investing and prudently nonprofit community. managing funds and maintaining accurate financial records, and is accountable to its community and Ohio is home to more than 90 community foundations, regularly disseminates information on its programs including several recognized nationwide as innovators in and finances. the field. Individually and collectively they provide Ohio • Ensures that its financial resources are used solely with a wealth of energy, ideas, leadership, and social and in furtherance of its mission. philanthropic capital. These resources help find new and effective solutions to the challenges facing our Donors who give through the Ashland County communities. Community foundations, in essence, Community Foundation enjoy the satisfaction of represent trust and confidence in the community knowing that their gifts will be safely and efficiently and a commitment to our future. administered for the charitable purposes they specify, as well as receiving the maximum tax deduction for Like all community foundations, the Ashland County their contributions. Community Foundation: • Has an independent, all-volunteer governing body broadly representative of its community. Ashland County Community Foundation • 2014-2015 Annual Report 4 Supporting Education Kaylee Crossen Brock Hays