Where
and Play Meet Purpose
Letter from the Foundation President & CEO
Dear Friends of the Foundation,
When we think about the places that shape our lives, parks and recreational spaces often rise to the top of the list. They are where children learn to ride bikes, families gather for picnics, neighbors meet for evening walks, and communities come together to celebrate what makes them unique. In many ways, these shared spaces reflect the health and spirit of our community.
This issue of Your Impact Quarterly highlights the power of parks and recreation and the meaningful role philanthropy plays in sustaining them. From playgrounds and trails to community green spaces, these places do more than offer opportunities for fun. They support physical and mental well being, foster connection, and help ensure that everyone, regardless of age or background, has access to spaces that invite belonging.
Across our county, generous donors, dedicated partners, and thoughtful planning have helped parks and recreational programs meet real community needs. Investments in these spaces create ripple effects. A new trail encourages healthy habits. A refreshed park brings families together. A safe, welcoming playground becomes a place where memories are made and friendships begin. These outcomes are possible because of people like you who believe in building a community that thrives together.
At The Community Foundation, we are proud to steward charitable dollars in ways that honor donor intent while responding to evolving local priorities. Parks and recreation are a clear example of how thoughtful giving can have both immediate and lasting impact. When donors invest in shared spaces, they invest in quality of life, today and for generations to come.
As you explore this issue, I hope you are inspired by the stories and the impact you help make possible. Thank you for your continued trust, generosity, and commitment to our community. Together, we are creating places where everyone can gather, grow, and feel at home.
With gratitude,
BRIAN P. TREECE, ED.D. PRESIDENT & CEO
Investment Partner Program
Hixon Zuercher Capital Management is a fee-only investment management firm located in downtown Findlay, Ohio. They provide professional investment management solutions to a select group of individuals, families, business owners, and foundations.
(419) 425-2400 • www.hzcapital.com
ABOUT THE INVESTMENT PARTNER PROGRAM
Donors may recommend their own investment manager to join the Foundation’s Investment Partner Program to manage the investment of their gifts to the Foundation. The Foundation will consider recommendations and, if they meet the criteria, appoint a recommended manager as part of the Investment Partner Program.
15 Leaders Awarded Certificate of Fund Raising Management
The Community Foundation has partnered with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy for four years to bring classes to Findlay-area nonprofits as part of our Organizational Strengthening program. During that time, 15 local nonprofit leaders have earned their Certificate of Fund Raising Management. Recipients include:
Kimberly Bash
Chief Community Engagement Officer of The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation
Carla Benjamin
Executive Director of Welcome to a New Life
Lauren Etler
Project Co-Coordinator of Arlington Heart & Soul
Dustin Fuller
Financial Opportunity Center Manager of Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/ Hancock County
Lisa Houck
Finance and Communications Associate of The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation
Tom James Volunteer and Donations Coordinator of Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/ Hancock County
Marc Kogan
Scout Executive of Black Swamp Area Council, Scouting America
Amber Newlove
Co-Coordinator of Arlington Heart & Soul
Brooke Nissen
Executive Director of FOCUS Recovery and Wellness Community
Tammy Stahl Executive Director of Christian Clearing House
Madelynn Strayer Director of Annual Giving of the University of Findlay
Roseanna Thornton Communications Coordinator of Open Arms Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services
Congratulations to all recipients on this achievement!
Cassie Turner Community Engagement Officer of The FindlayHancock County Community Foundation
Craig VanRenterghem Education Director of Marathon Center for the Performing Arts
Randy Ward Finance Director of Marathon Center for the Performing Arts
Where Parks and Play Meet Purpose
Investing in spaces that connect, heal, and strengthen Hancock County
From winter hikes on quiet trails to the echo of cheers at a summer ballfield, Hancock County’s parks and recreational spaces are where community life unfolds. These places are more than amenities; they are essential infrastructure for physical health, mental well-being, youth development, and connection.
Across the county, local leaders and nonprofit partners agree that investing in parks and recreation is investing directly in people. As demand grows and costs rise, sustained community support is key to ensuring these spaces remain accessible, welcoming, and vibrant for everyone.
Parks: Living Spaces That Grow With Us
Hancock County’s parks offer year-round opportunities to explore, recharge, and gather. Operated by partners such as the Hancock Park District and the City of Findlay, these spaces range from nature preserves and riverfront trails to neighborhood playgrounds and community event venues. Together, they form a network that supports outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and quality of life.
Park leaders emphasize that maintaining and modernizing these spaces is an ongoing responsibility. Playgrounds age. Trails need connections. Accessibility standards evolve. Infrastructure, from restrooms to lighting, requires continual care.
Parks are not static. They change as the community changes, and they require steady investment to meet new needs.
Opportunities for impact include:
• Maintaining and upgrading playground equipment and park infrastructure
• Expanding trail systems and connector paths to improve access and mobility
• Enhancing accessibility through inclusive design and features
• Increasing awareness so more residents know and use the parks around them
Riverside Park Summer Concert Series
Recreation: Access, Affordability, and Opportunity
Beyond parks, recreation programming across Hancock County plays a vital role in helping residents of all ages stay active, connected, and engaged. From youth sports and summer camps to ice skating, swimming, and family learning experiences, these programs help build confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills.
At the same time, many organizations are navigating rising costs for equipment, staffing, utilities, and maintenance, while working to keep participation affordable. Without added support, some families are at risk of being priced out of experiences that offer both joy and long-term benefits.
Community-based organizations, including camps, mentoring programs, athletic leagues, and cultural institutions, are responding with creativity and collaboration. Still, leaders consistently point to a shared need: resources to reduce barriers, strengthen facilities, and expand opportunities for participation.
Key needs across the recreation landscape include:
• Offsetting participation costs for families
• Supporting facility improvements and equipment purchases
• Expanding inclusive and adaptive recreation options
• Recruiting and training volunteers to guide and mentor participants
Hancock County Fair
Boy Scouts Adventure Day Camp
Fostoria Garden Club
The Foundation’s Role: Turning Community Vision Into Action
For years, The Community Foundation has partnered with local governments and nonprofits to strengthen parks and recreation throughout Hancock County. Through grantmaking, donor advised funds, and collaborative initiatives, the Foundation helps turn community priorities into lasting impact.
Your Impact in Action: Greenway Trails
The Blanchard River Greenway Trails (BRGT), managed by HPD, received planning grants totaling $15,000 in 1998 and $16,880 in 2001. The BRGT is committed to promoting and supporting alternative transportation, outdoor recreation, and fitness activities. Various sections of the trails are ideal for activities such as walking, jogging, in-line skating, skateboarding, and bicycling. The trails also offer opportunities for picnicking, wildlife observation, and provide river access for fishing and boating.
Your Impact in Action: Adventure Day Camp
In 2021, $90,000 was allocated for the Boy Scouts’ Adventure Day Camp. This day camp program welcomes both girls and boys entering 1st-6th grade. Participants can enjoy up to seven weeks of camp featuring themed activities, daily swimming, fishing, archery, crafts, climbing, target sports, gaga ball, music, lunch, and more.
Your Impact in Action: Miracle Playground
The initiative began in 2015 with $125,000 in funding for the Miracle Playground. Since its opening in 2016, we have provided ongoing support. The Miracle Park offers a secure, enjoyable setting where individuals with special needs can play baseball in their own stadium. The Park features both a Miracle Field and Miracle Playground, catering to individuals of all ages and abilities.
Looking Ahead
Parks and recreation touch every generation. They are where children learn teamwork, where families gather, where individuals find calm, and where communities come together. As Hancock County grows and changes, so too must the spaces that serve it.
Sustained
investment ensures these places remain not just open, but welcoming, inclusive, and thriving.
When donors support parks and recreation, they are helping create a healthier, more connected community, today and for generations to come.
Bluffton Lions Way Bike and Pedestrian Pathway
Community Conversations Report 2025-2026
The Community Foundation held the third round of Community Conversations to gather input from residents and ensure its grantmaking reflects the needs and priorities of Hancock County.
COMMUNITY PRIORITY VOTING
Tier 1
Childcare
Housing
Mental Health Safety Recreation*
*includes Parks and Fun for All
Tier 2
Arts Transportation Diversity Workforce
These themes received the greatest share of votes across all Community Conversations events and the community survey. This means our community consistently elevated quality of life, safety, health, housing stability, and family support.
Key Takeaways
• Community input continues to point toward a core set of priorities that align with longstanding challenges and opportunities.
• Housing and childcare emerge as areas where the Foundation can play a convening, catalytic or learning role in addition to funding to bring partners together, support pilot approaches and help align community efforts.
Lindsy, here are pull quotes, if needed:
• Strong support for parks, recreation, and inclusive community spaces reinforces the importance of place-based and access-oriented investments that contribute to belonging and overall well-being.
• Themes such as transportation, retail/services and community cohesion suggest opportunities for further exploration, partnership, or targeted conversations.
• “Bringing community members together to best address needs is one of the Foundation’s greatest assets. They really care about the impact they are making, and the difference it has on our community. We are blessed to have this wonderful Foundation making a forever difference in Hancock County.”
• The results reinforce the value of addressing urgent needs while also investing in longterm community vitality, helping guide the Foundation’s grantmaking, partnerships, and strategic initiatives in the years ahead.
Learn more about Community Conversations at www.community-foundation.com
• “The Foundation is deeply embedded in our community. They foster collaboration and are extremely knowledgeable about the entities involved in charitable work in our community.”
• “They have a team who truly cares
Responsive Grants
At the May meeting, the Foundation Board awarded grants totaling $444,349. Responsive grants were awarded to:
• 50 North
• Allen Township Fire Department
• Arlington Heart & Soul
• Cory-Rawson Local Schools
• Findlay Art League
• Findlay Family YMCA
• Flag City Sluggers
• Hancock County Agricultural Society
• Hancock County Chamber Alliance Foundation
• Hancock Historical Museum
• McComb Community Partnership
• McComb Development Corporation
• University of Findlay
Play Ball with the Flag City Sluggers
New Funds of the Foundation
The latest funds established by generous philanthropists and organizations in the community.
• Awakening Minds Art - Art for All Fund
This fund was established to support free and reduced-price programming to the community provided by Awakening Minds Art.
• Awakening Minds Art - General Support Fund
This fund was established to provide operating and programmatic support to Awakening Minds Art.
• Susan Martaus Fund for the Love of Reading
This fund was established in memory of Susan Martaus to support any school in Hancock County with reading, school libraries, and language arts enhancement and programming.
• Richard and Lynn McCord Nursing Advancement Scholarship
This scholarship aims to alleviate financial barriers, strengthen nursing education, and contribute to the health and vitality of Hancock County and surrounding communities.
NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
Hancock Park District
• Leonard and Sarah Stevens LEN-TAG Scholarship
The Mike and Jill Stevens Ring family established this scholarship to help students pursue their goals with purpose, contribute to their community, and pay it forward as Leonard and Sarah did.
• George R. Younger Fund for Village Parks
This fund was established in memory of George Randolph Younger to support the village parks in Hancock County.
Visit
to read about these funds and many others.
Hancock Park District’s mission is to enrich lives by providing meaningful experiences through quality parks, facilities and programs. Hancock Park District is a regular grantee of The Community Foundation. Recent grants supported Fun for All activities, accessible walkways in Litzenberg Memorial Woods, and the purchase of trees.
Consider the Hancock Park District Blanchard River Greenway Trail Fund on communityfoundation.com to help HPD be an innovative and resourceful park district that creatively adapts to community needs.
Your support of their work is appreciated!
Hancock Park District Tree Planting
Get to know our staff with a look into our lives outside of the office.
What Are You Listening To?
Cassie |
Kimberly |
Rachel |
Andrea R. |
Brian |
Genna |
Andrea C. |
Lisa |
Richard |
Sterling |
Jordan |
Legacy audiobook by Nora Roberts
Musical theatre mashup
True crime podcasts
Yacht rock radio
Good Hang podcast
The Great Divide by Noah Kahan and Legacy podcast
Island of Missing Trees audiobook by Elif Shafak
Crime Junkie podcast
Financial Times News Briefing podcast and Tame Impala
How Did This Get Made podcast
Musical theatre playlist
BOARD
Kelly Shroll, Chair
Rod Walton, Vice Chair
Beverly Dowling, Treasurer
Alissa Preston, Secretary
Bill Conlisk
Frank Cosiano
Ginger Jones
Patty Lucas
Ed Reading
Christina Rodriguez
Chris Ward
STAFF
Brian Treece, President & CEO
Kimberly Bash
Richard Brown
Andrea Clements
Tasha Dimling
Genna Freed
Rachel Gerber
Jordan Gottschalk
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!
JUNE 6
Geology Rocks at Children’s Museum of Findlay 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
JUNE 11
Music on Main at McComb Town Square 5-7 p.m.
JUNE 13
Watercolor Sunset Class at Findlay Art League 1-2 p.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.
JUNE 13
Woodland Thimbles Class at Findlay Art League 1-3 p.m.
JUNE 15
Symphony Storytime at Findlay-Hancock County Public Library 10:30 a.m.
JUNE 20
Game-A-Palooza at 50 North 12-3 p.m.
JUNE 20
Free Pool Day at Riverside Park Pool 12-6 p.m.
JUNE 27
Butterfly Pendant Class at Findlay Art League 1-3 p.m.
JULY 4
America's Birthday Bash at Hancock Historical Museum 12-2 p.m.
JULY 9
Music on Main at McComb Town Square 5-7 p.m.
JULY 11
Gingerbread Class at Findlay Art League 1-3 p.m.
JULY 14
Play Ball with the Mayor and the Flag City Sluggers Game at The Cube, 4:30 p.m.
JULY 18
Game-A-Palooza at 50 North 12-3 p.m.
JULY 18
Free Pool Day at Riverside Park Pool 12-6 p.m.
JULY 25
Sgraffito Ornament Class at Findlay Art League 1-3 p.m.
JULY 25
Whimsical Watercolor Owl Class at Findlay Art League
1-2 p.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.
AUGUST 6
Music on Main at McComb Town Square 5-7 p.m.
AUGUST 8
Free Pool Day at Riverside Park Pool 12-6 p.m.
AUGUST 8
Ugly Sweater Class at Findlay Art League 1-3 p.m.
AUGUST 8
Watercolor Lake Class at Findlay Art League 1-2 p.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.
AUGUST 15
Game-A-Palooza at 50 North 12-3 p.m.
AUGUST 22
Oak Leaf Class at Findlay Art League 1-3 p.m.
JOIN US FOR OUR Annual Celebration
TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026
5-7 P.M. AT THE HANCOCK HOTEL
JOIN US FOR THE Hancock County Estate Planning Council Quarterly Meeting
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2026
3:30-6 P.M. AT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
