Letter from the Foundation President & CEO
Dear Friend of the Foundation,
At the heart of our community is a simple idea: play. It's a word that suggests children on playgrounds and families laughing together. While it seems like just fun, the importance of play runs much deeper. Research shows that the drive to play is a core part of who we are, just as vital as our need for food and sleep.
Scientists like Jaak Panksepp have found that play is one of the brain's main circuits, a basic emotion we are born with. This wiring makes sure that people and other mammals are driven to play. Our unique "play nature" is like a fingerprint, and for kids, acting on this natural urge is key to building the brain circuits they need for life skills. Play teaches them how to be flexible, bounce back from challenges, and solve problems better than anything else.
But play isn't just for kids. For adults, it's a huge part of our well-being. It can lower stress, spark creativity, and make our friendships stronger. In our busy world, it's easy to forget how important it is to just have fun. Not getting enough play can lead to problems like depression and a harder time adapting to new situations.
As your community foundation, we believe in supporting the places and programs that let play happen. That is why we are so proud of our Fun for All program, which you’ll read more about in this edition of our newsletter. Fun for All is a series of free community events open to the entire community. Some events are geared toward children, others to seniors or families. We want to make sure the benefits of play are available to everyone, from our youngest neighbors to our oldest.
Together, we can keep building a community that values curiosity, creativity, and connection. Let's make sure the fun, and the good it does for us, continues for generations.
Sincerely,
BRIAN P. TREECE, ED.D. PRESIDENT & CEO
Morgan Bernal
The Foundation is pleased to welcome Morgan to the Foundation team. Morgan will serve as Administrative Coordinator at The Family Center. She will manage front desk operations and all clerical and communication responsibilities in this role. When you next visit The Family Center, be sure to say hello to Morgan at the front desk. Welcome!
Did You Know?
About The Family Center
Before The Family Center was a hub for human services, it was a vacant grocery store. Built in 1981, it was originally home to Food Town, and later Kroger, until 2003. In 2002, The Community Foundation celebrated its 10-year anniversary by dreaming of making a notable impact on human services in Hancock County. They saw that many local agencies were struggling with inadequate facilities, which hindered them in effectively providing services.
The solution was found in a vacant grocery store that the Foundation purchased in May 2005. To manage this real estate project, a separate organization called Hancock Properties Foundation was formed. This was the beginning of a remarkable
transformation. Instead of a place to shop for groceries, this building now supports our community’s other critical needs, like clothing, housing support, and medical services. The store was reimagined as a central location where multiple agencies could share space and resources.
The extensive planning and construction paid off, and The Family Center opened its doors on May 1, 2006, with 17 agencies housed in the building. Since then, the building has been renovated to meet the changing needs of the agencies within its walls. What was once an empty building is now a thriving center for our community, offering a collaborative and supportive environment for agencies to serve families. It’s a wonderful example of how a collaborative vision can bring new life to a space, and we are so proud to be part of its history.
The Gift of Fun.
Investing in play and community.
At The Community Foundation, we believe that a thriving community is built on more than just meeting basic needs. It’s also about fostering connection, enriching lives, and giving everyone the chance to experience joy and belonging. That's why we are so passionate about our Fun for All program, which provides free activities and resources throughout our community.
The idea for Fun for All grew directly from listening to you, our community members, during our 2017 and 2022 Community Conversations. We heard a clear and consistent message: there was a significant need for more affordable, and in many cases, free, activities. As our Chief Community Engagement Officer, Kimberly Bash, shared, a simple $5 admission fee per person can become a difficult choice for a financially struggling family, sometimes forcing them to choose between an event and essential needs like laundry. This presented a clear opportunity for us to fill a gap to ease this burden.
Children's Museum of Findlay
With the support of our generous donors and incredible community partners, we launched Fun for All in 2023. Since then, we’ve reached nearly half of the population of the county. In 2023, 45 events were held, with 9,900 people attending. Due to the outstanding response, the Foundation invested $100,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2025 to continue the program. In 2024, 13,000 attended 69 events. As of July 31, 2025, 10,600 people attended 42 events. We offer a variety of activities, such as free admission to the ice skating rink and local pools, art classes, museum events, dinner theater, and so much more.
The response has been overwhelming and heartwarming. The attendance demonstrates how important access to fun, safe and community-oriented activities is to residents of Hancock County. Beyond the simple joy of having fun, play is critical to well-being. Experts like Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National
Awakening Minds Art
Riverside Pool
Institute for Play, emphasize that play is an inherent part of human nature and crucial for a fulfilling life. It's not just for kids; it's a vital part of health and well-being for all ages.
This year, we're offering more events aimed at engaging teens in partnership with a group of youth-serving nonprofit organizations. Some of the Fun for All activities will offer more pro-social activities, like bowling, to help address rising social isolation and mental health concerns. As Jennifer Swartzlander, ADAMHS deputy director, explained, our goal is to "get the kids who aren't connected in any other way to have some connection, some sense of belonging in our community.”
Looking ahead, we are committed to making Fun for All a lasting cornerstone of our work. It’s been described as "one of the most powerful things that we’ve done" and one of the biggest points of conversation we've received from a single program. Our ideal solution is to create a dedicated endowment fund to ensure this program can continue indefinitely, providing free, fun opportunities for generations to come. Stay tuned this fall for an upcoming matching opportunity to support the Fun for All program.
We are incredibly grateful for the support that makes this possible. From attendance to nonprofit partners, Fun for All truly helps enrich lives and build a more connected and vibrant Hancock County for everyone.
Find upcoming Fun for All dates on our website at community-foundation.com/fun.
Mazza Museum
• 50 North
Thank you to our Fun for All partners!
• Arlington Heart & Soul
• Awakening Minds Art
• Black Heritage Library & Multicultural Center
• Children's Mentoring Connection
• Children's Museum of Findlay
• City Life Findlay
• City of Findlay
• Family and Children First Council
• Findlay Art League
• Findlay Family YMCA
• Findlay Young Professionals
• Findlay-Hancock County Chamber Alliance Foundation
• Findlay-Hancock County Public Library
• Flag City Sluggers
• FOCUS Recovery and Wellness CommunityThe Loft
• Fort Findlay Playhouse
• Hancock County Agricultural Society
• Hancock County Community Partnership
• Hancock Historical Museum
• Hancock Park District
• Lima Symphony Orchestra
• Marathon Center for the Performing Arts
• Mazza Museum
• Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation
• Toledo Opera
• Toledo Zoo
• Village of Arlington
• Village of McComb
• Village of Mt. Blanchard
50 North
Children's Museum of Findlay
Marathon Center for the Performing Arts
A New Way to Partner in Philanthropy: The Investment Partner Program
How it Works
We believe in bridging resources and granting opportunity, and this program embodies that philosophy. If you have a trusted investment advisor, you can recommend them to become an Investment Partner. The Foundation will carefully consider and partner with the advisor to manage the fund's assets if they meet our established criteria. This ensures a seamless and professional experience for you, your advisor, and the Foundation.
Benefits of the Program
• You're in the Driver's Seat: You get to recommend the investment manager you already know and trust. This provides a great sense of comfort and continuity in your philanthropic planning.
We are thrilled to share an exciting new opportunity for our donors and partners: the Investment Partner Program. This initiative offers a flexible and personal approach to managing your philanthropic funds, giving you the ability to recommend your trusted investment manager to manage your funds at the Foundation. We understand how important it is to have confidence and comfort in how your charitable funds are managed, and this program is designed to give you that option.
• Expert Oversight: The Foundation's Finance and Investment Committee, along with our Board of Trustees, provides ongoing oversight of all Investment Partners. We are dedicated to the long-term success of your fund and work to ensure that all partners meet our high standards.
• Focus on Impact: This flexibility enables you to focus on what matters most, making a lasting difference in Findlay and Hancock County. Your partnership helps us continue our mission of improving the quality of life for all in the community.
This program is a testament to our commitment to being flexible and responsive to your needs as a generous donor. We are enthusiastic about its potential to strengthen our partnerships and expand our collective impact.
To learn more about this opportunity, we encourage you to discuss it with us when setting up a new fund to determine how this program can work for you and your philanthropic goals.
How IPP Works
Ten Years of Community Development
Four Hancock County communities have implemented the Community Heart & Soul process since 2015. The Community Foundation has invested more than $600,000 in the two-year, four-phase process to help each community identify what matters most to them and create a plan for the future. Community Heart & Soul’s three principles are to involve everyone, focus on what matters most, and play the long game.
ARCADIA
Arcadia is the most recent Heart & Soul community in Hancock County. Beginning in 2023, Arcadia has gathered data from the community and is in Phase 3, gathering and prioritizing ideas for its action plan. A community garden was created because of the Heart & Soul process and has been well received by residents.
MCCOMB
Our first Heart & Soul town, the Village of McComb, was announced in 2015. It was also the first Heart & Soul community in the state of Ohio. The Foundation continues to work with the McComb team to update the community plan and ensure the Heart & Soul principles are a part of McComb's future. Heart & Soul projects continue, including community murals and the building of a community center.
ARLINGTON
Arlington was named the third Hancock County Heart & Soul community in 2022. It is now in Phase 4, developing its action plan and recruiting partners to guide future town planning based on its Heart & Soul statements. Arlington is pursuing nonprofit status to support future community projects.
MT. BLANCHARD
The Village of Mt. Blanchard was the Foundation's second Heart & Soul Community in 2016. In two years, the community united around the project and created an action plan that will guide the village's decisions for years to come. Two of Mt. Blanchard’s community values included the parks and pool, which helped them earn thousands in grants to support improvements.
New Funds of the Foundation
• Arcadia Community Fund
This fund was established by The Community Foundation's board to support Arcadia's Community Heart & Soul action plan to improve the quality of life in Arcadia.
• Arlington Community Fund
This fund was established by The Community Foundation's board to support Arlington's Community Heart & Soul action plan to improve the quality of life in Arlington.
• Ryan A. Buck Memorial Scholarship
In memory of Ryan and his passion for helping others, his family has created this scholarship to support McComb High School graduates who share his love for computer networking and cybersecurity.
• Findlay Digital Academy Fund
This fund will support Findlay Digital Academy, which offers an online curriculum to any student whose needs, desires, or circumstances would best be served by a non-traditional educational model.
• Flag City Sluggers
This fund was established to support Flag City Sluggers, which is committed to providing a competitive and educational summer baseball experience for collegiate players in Findlay.
• First Presbyterian Church Childcare Fund
This fund was established to support the childcare center expansion at First Presbyterian Church.
• Interim Housing Program Fund
The latest funds established by generous philanthropists and organizations in the community. Visit community-foundation.com to read about these funds and many others.
This fund was established to support the Interim Housing Program (IHP) at Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County.
• Newman Family Fund for Cancer Patient Services
This fund was established by the Newman Family to support Cancer Patient Services, an organization close to their hearts.
• Support Opportunities for Activity and Recreations (SOAR!) Fund
This fund, established by Paul and Ann Hadde, will support recreation, facilities and programming in Hancock County.
• The Welcome Table Scholarship
This scholarship supports students from Millstream Career Center and early-college culinary or hospitality majors who are ready to turn their skills into ventures, leadership, and impact.
• Mary Ellen Wells Scholarship for Arcadia High School
This fund was established by Mary Ellen Wells to support a graduating senior of Arcadia High School.
• Youth Leadership Development Fund
This fund was established to support youth leadership development.
50 North's mission is to provide services that help those 50 and over remain healthy and independent. Older adults who participate in 50 North programs can experience measurable improvements in their physical, social, spiritual, emotional, mental and economic well-being. The Foundation has supported 50 North since its inception. 50 North is a regular partner of the Foundation’s Fun for All series of free community events. Consider the 50 North Fund on community-foundation.com to help 50 North support successful aging in and around our community.
Your support of their work is appreciated!
Get to know our staff with a look into our lives outside of the office.
What Are You Reading?
Andrea C |
Brian (and his daughter) |
Richard |
Sterling |
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff
Legacy by Nora Roberts, Know Yourself, Know Your Money by Rachel Cruze
Upstream by Mary Oliver, When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
The Women by Kristin Hannah
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Photovoltaic Design and Installation for Dummies by Ryan Mayfield
BOARD
John Livingston, Chair
Kelly Shroll, Vice Chair
Beverly Dowling, Treasurer
Alissa Preston, Secretary
Bill Conlisk
Frank Cosiano
Ginger Jones
Patty Lucas
Ed Reading
Christina Rodriguez
Rod Walton
Chris Ward
STAFF
Brian Treece, President & CEO
Kimberly Bash
Morgan Bernal
Richard Brown
Andrea Clements
Tasha Dimling
Genna Freed
Rachel Gerber
Sterling Helms
Lisa Houck
Cindy Lahey
Andrea Reinhart
Cassie Turner
Fun For All.
Visit communityfoundation.com/fun for the schedule, which we add to regularly!
SEPTEMBER 20
Game-A-Palooza at 50 North 12-4 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 20
Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the Black Heritage Library & Multicultural Center 1-7 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 27
Cat Face Craft at Findlay Art League 1-4 p.m.
OCTOBER 11
Baby Gnomes Craft at Findlay Art League 1-4 p.m.
OCTOBER 11
Jurassic Bark Performance at MCPA 2 p.m.
OCTOBER 18
Game-A-Palooza at 50 North 12-4 p.m.
OCTOBER 25
Craft Fair at 50 North 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
OCTOBER 25
Skinny Trees Craft at Findlay Art League 1-4 p.m.
OCTOBER 26
Teen Fall Fun Event at City Life Findlay 3-5 p.m.
NOVEMBER 1
Retirement Event at 50 North 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
NOVEMBER 15
Game-A-Palooza at 50 North 12-4 p.m.
DECEMBER 2
Elf Movie at MCPA 7 p.m.
DECEMBER 6
Lunch with Santa at 50 North 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
DECEMBER 20
Game-A-Palooza at 50 North 12-4 p.m.
Professional Advisor
Appreciation Event
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
4:30-6:30 P.M. AT BOURBON AFFAIR
Hancock County Housing Panel
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025
4:30-6 P.M. AT 50 NORTH
Hancock County Estate Planning Council Quarterly Meeting
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2025
3:30-6 P.M. AT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
