Wayne County Community Foundation 2022-2023 Annual Report

2022-2023

Letter to Our Community

Dear Friends,

Birthdays are occasions for looking back while also thinking ahead. As our Wayne County Community Foundation marks its 45th year, we have a lot to celebrate!

LOOKING BACK

The Foundation’s growth – from 1978 when it started with a single gift of $1,000 to today, with assets in excess of $121.5 million - is simply remarkable

Perhaps even more significant than the assets held by the Foundation is the amount of money given back to the community in the form of grants and scholarships: more than $108 million since 1978! This is resounding proof that our donors have a major impact on the quality of life in our community.

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Wayne County Community Youth Foundation . Founded by former Executive Director, Ferenc Relle, this program gives local high school juniors the opportunity to understand the importance of philanthropy. During the course of an academic year, teens from around Wayne County come together to learn about our local nonprofit organizations, the problems and opportunities they are tackling, the passion that drives their teams forward, and the actions we all can take to help advance their missions. Students also learn how the Foundation invests donated funds to maximize their impact, how permanent endowments create lasting benefits, and how to evaluate nonprofit organizations’ grant applications to determine which projects are the best use of the Youth Foundation Fund’s precious but limited assets.

THINKING AHEAD

With the Youth Foundation, we are intentionally building a pipeline of tomorrow’s compassionate, informed philanthropic leaders. Case in point: The Youth Foundation experience influenced the personal and professional trajectory of alumna Elizabeth Stockton Perkins. You can read her story on page 7 of this report.

As we look back on 45 years of history, we are really celebrating you! The admirable generosity of thousands of Wayne County citizens has brought us to this point. We invite you to help shape the Foundation’s next 45 years of philanthropic leadership and service. Please consider the ways in which you can help us build an even brighter future for Wayne County – whether that is investing in the Youth Foundation program, establishing a scholarship for future leaders, or contributing to a Community Fund. Let the celebration begin!

Mark A. Auble

Melanie Reusser Garcia President, Board of Trustees Executive Director

In an effort to conserve costs and the environment, several lists from this year’s annual report are available online at www.wccfoh.org and are noted throughout the report with a QR Code. If you prefer a printed copy of any of these lists, call us at 330.262.3877 and we will happily mail them to you.

GIVE

You give to a new or existing fund and receive a tax deduction when it makes sense for you.

By the Numbers

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023

$121,593,936 in Total Assets as of June 30, 2023

We grow your charitable assets through effective investment management strategies.

Charitable Funds by Type

n Community Funds

n Field of Interest Funds

n Designated Funds

n Donor or Corporate Advised Funds

Together, we grant money to area nonprofits to improve the quality of life in our community.

n Scholarship Funds

n Agency Funds

553 Charitable Funds

$4.1 Million in Contributions Received

VISION

To effectively leverage Wayne County’s philanthropic resources to improve the quality of life in our community.

$5.5 Million in Grants and Scholarships Awarded in Fiscal Year 2022-2023

5 Active Capital Campaigns

Grants Awarded by Area

MISSION

To provide philanthropic leadership to our community.

GOALS

To encourage individuals, organizations, and businesses to share part of their resources for the good of our community.

To assist community charitable organizations in the creation and management of endowments.

$108+ Million Awarded in Grants and Scholarships Since Inception

To provide oversight of investment and disbursement of funds devoted to charitable purposes.

RUTH M. TIECHE FRIEND OF PHILANTHROPY AWARD

John C. Johnston III

Whether you knew him by John, J.C., Cliff, or Tex (as his high school friends called him), one thing is for sure – to know J.C. was to know a true friend and a champion for Wayne County.

Born and raised in Wooster, Ohio, J.C. Johnston returned to his hometown in 1975 after completing law school at Northwestern University. He joined Critchfield, Critchfield, and Johnston – working alongside his father. Shortly after joining the firm, J.C. was tasked with creating the Articles of Incorporation required to establish a new, little start-up called The Greater Wayne County Foundation, known today as Wayne County Community Foundation.

J.C. remained deeply committed to the vision and mission of the Foundation over the next 45 years. Beginning in 1997, and continuing for the next 25 years, he was a member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. He served as President of the Board from 2005 to 2014, then as the Chair of the Investment Committee until stepping down in 2022.

During his tenure as a WCCF Trustee, J.C. was instrumental in recruiting new board members and new donors, as well as overseeing the growth of the Foundation’s assets. The spectacular rise of the Foundation over the past 45 years – from beginning with a single $1,000 donation to managing over $121.5 million in assets today – is due in no small part to J.C.’s steady, guiding hand.

His commitment to Wayne County did not start and end with the Foundation. J.C. maintained a strong belief in the intrinsic value of community service. He was actively involved in many organizations, serving as a Trustee for the Wayne Legal Aid Society, Wayne Center for the Arts, Junior Achievement of Wayne County, and the Wooster YMCA. He also served nine years as a Trustee for The College of Wooster.

J.C. and Gennie, his high school sweetheart and wife of over fifty years, moved to Colorado in 2022 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Even when halfway across the country, J.C. remained actively involved in the community, always just a phone call away –continuing to provide guidance to many of our nonprofit leaders. But his time with his family was cut short when J.C. passed away, peacefully at his home and surrounded by his loved ones, on February 21, 2023.

J.C.’s generosity was truly a gift to so many today and for many generations to come. By awarding the Ruth M. Tieche Friend of Philanthropy Award each year, the Foundation seeks to recognize the difference that individuals can make through personal commitment and leadership, acknowledge the impact such individuals have on our community, and celebrate the role their creativity and advocacy play in a project’s success. J.C. exemplified the very best qualities of a Friend of Philanthropy, and repeatedly shared them with the members of this community. He will forever be admired for his dedication to making Wayne County a better place through selfless acts of personal and corporate philanthropy.

Previous Award Recipients

Stanley C. & Flo K Gault, 2013

The J.M. Smucker Family, 2014

The Donald & Alice Noble Family, 2015

Greg & Kathy Long, 2016

Barry Romich, 2017

Stephen & Cheryl Shapiro, 2018

Mike & Stephanie Reardon, 2019

Richard & Judy Seaman, 2022

*No recipients in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic

The Friend of Philanthropy Award was created to honor those who make a difference in our communities with their philanthropic activities – the giving of treasure, time, and talent – for the betterment of the Wayne County area. It is presented at Wayne County Community Foundation’s Annual Dinner. For more details on the award and nomination process, please visit us online at www.wccfoh.org or call 330.262.3877

RUTH M. TIECHE

The Friend of Philanthropy Award has been named in honor of Ruth M. Tieche. Ruth worked at Freedlander’s Department Store in Wooster for nearly 60 years, retiring in 1975 as personnel director. She passed away in March 1989, at the age of 90, leaving no survivors. Through a bequest, Ruth left $384,000 to the Foundation as an unrestricted gift.

Ruth’s generosity brought the total assets under the care of the Foundation to more than $1 million – a major milestone for the young organization. With careful stewardship, her initial gift has continued to grow while also awarding funds back into the community through the Foundation’s competitive grant process. Unrestricted gifts, like the one provided by Ruth, allow the Foundation to meet the everchanging needs of our community for years to come.

Philanthropists in the making

Wayne County Community Youth Foundation (WCCYF) provides a unique opportunity for high school students throughout Wayne County to learn about the importance of philanthropy. This year, 25 students representing eight area high schools gained valuable leadership experience, while learning more about local charitable giving and how investments grow charitable funds.

The program highlights the essentials of communitybased philanthropy and fundraising, as well as grantmaking activities that provide funding for projects benefiting Wayne County youth. Members of the Youth Foundation also work on teambuilding and leadership activities with other members and participate in community service projects, selected by them, to improve the quality of life in Wayne County.

This year, after reviewing grant applications, WCCYF student advisors voted to award $5,251 in grants to three organizations serving youth in Wayne County.

Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio received a $1,251 grant to replace hockey sticks for the sled hockey program to benefit youth with disabilities.

People to People Ministries received a $3,500 grant to provide tablets for education stations in their lobby area for children, from preschool to young adult.

United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties received a $500 grant for “Reading Under the Lights 2023” to help cover the cost of new books that are given to each participant (pre-K to 8th grade). Currently 6 local school districts participate in the program to prevent a decline in reading skills over the summer.

In addition, students participated in an activity called the Giving Jar, where they had the opportunity to donate money to the jar. As money was donated each session, the youth learned that the dollars would be matched by community members up to $600. At the end of the Giving Jar project, the kids met their $600 goal, earning a $600 match. That day their meeting was at Romich Makerspace in Creston. When Barry Romich heard the news, he was so excited about the project that he raised the ante by another $600! It was a real-time lesson in the value of generating enthusiasm for a project and the power of matching funds! As a result of this project, the students raised $1,820, donating it all to Wayne County Children’s Advocacy Center

Elizabeth Stockton Perkins, Youth Foundation Student Advisor, 2017-2018

Ten years of empowering youth philanthropy

The Wayne County Community Youth Foundation (WCCYF) provides area high school students with practical experiences about their community and “structured” philanthropy. During the past ten years, over 320 participants have completed the program. Let’s hear from one of them, Elizabeth Stockton Perkins, about the impact the program made in her life.

“As a member of the 2017-2018 Youth Foundation, I loved getting a behind-thescenes look at nonprofits that serve Wayne County, completing various community service projects, and learning about the ways that investing can grow a person’s charitable impact. But perhaps the most memorable aspect of the program was working with my peers to evaluate grant applications and recommend the allocation of over $7,500 to seven local nonprofits.

The satisfaction and fulfillment of my Youth Foundation experience stuck with me as I graduated high school and matriculated at Vassar College. I continued to follow my interest in philanthropy through various development internships at arts and advocacy organizations. Most recently I interned with the $7 billion capital campaign team at Yale University, where I led research and conversations to explore the possibility of a women’s philanthropy initiative. Many of my supervisors at these internships have recalled that the Youth Foundation stood out on my resume as an especially unique and valuable opportunity. The program gave me a head start both personally and professionally and shaped the kind of professional and community member I want to be.

I am grateful to Ferenc Relle for his mentorship and leadership during my year with the Youth Foundation, and to Melanie, Trevor, Lacie, Barb, and Emily at the Foundation for continuing to offer this incredible opportunity to Wayne County youth!”

2022-2023

Wayne County Youth Foundation Members

Makianos Alexander (Xander) Amier, Wooster

Matthew Anderson, Orrville

Trey Bayless, Norwayne

Jack Danko, Smithville

Mattie Dunlap, Wooster

Kayli Falter, Smithville

Hannah Gerber, Homeschool

Emily Hammond, Wooster

Caleb Keiper, Norwayne

Madilynn Kilgore, Rittman

Megan Lantis, Wooster

Izabel Meshew, Norwayne

Ana Neuman, Triway/WCSCC

Taylor Olszewski, Norwayne

Margaret (Maggie) Ozar, Wooster

John (Jack) Pomfret, Wooster

Daniel Proano, Wooster

Brock Ranney, Wooster

Garrett Ranney, Wooster

Ella Saal, Northwestern

Ethan Shetler, Wooster

Allison Snyder, Wooster

Clara Sundberg, Waynedale

Shila Thellman, Wooster/WCSCC

Cole Walenciak, Wooster

Thanks to the generosity of several key donors, the Wayne County Community Youth Foundation Fund was established in Fall 2012 to provide educational and practical experiences on how community foundations operate for the purpose of getting students engaged in local “structured” philanthropy. There is no cost to the student advisors to participate in the program.

Donations to the Fund allow students to have an impact within their community through grantmaking to activities and organizations benefiting local youth. The learning opportunities presented during this experience foster a life-long commitment to philanthropy and giving.

If you’d like to contribute to the Youth Foundation Fund, scan the QR code or contact us today!

THE WOMEN’S FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Pat Bare

Maribeth Burns

Marian Cropp

Chris Davis

Kristen Endsley

Madeline Fuller

Cheryl Goff

Diane Gordon

Prue Holtman

Elizabeth Hooker

Carrie Horst

Addressing issues affecting the lives of women

A partnership of donors, grantees, and volunteers, The Women’s Fund works to improve the lives of women of all ages by supporting programs that empower change and self-sufficiency. Its mission is to create a permanent stream of income to enhance the lives of women in Wayne County, Ohio. By focusing on three key areas – education, economic empowerment, and health and wellness – the Fund makes grants to organizations that give women more opportunities to succeed.

The Fund is operated by women, for women.

Empowering Women in Wayne County

Through effective grant making, The Women’s Fund has the potential to transform the lives of women for the better – improving their life circumstances and making a positive, lasting impact on their families and communities. This year, the Advisory Committee awarded a total of $32,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations serving women and girls in Wayne County.

Girls on the Run - East Central Ohio received a $5,500 grant to provide scholarships for girls in Wayne County to participate in this physical activitybased, positive youth development program. Designed to enhance their social, emotional and physical skills, and behaviors to successfully navigate life experiences, the girls also set the goal of completing a 5K run.

Stewart’s Caring Place received a $2,000 grant to provide non-clinical support for Wayne County women, families, and caregivers living with cancer.

United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties, Inc. received a $5,000 grant for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The program provides free books each month to children throughout Wayne County from birth to five years of age.

Wayne County Schools Career Center received $15,000 for the Women’s Empowerment program. Through a series of workshops, this program focuses on both personal and professional development for participants.

Wooster Community Hospital Foundation received $4,500 for their Electronic Fetal Monitoring Certification Initiative. EFM allows the baby to “communicate” while in the womb and is an effective tool in determining the health of the baby and mother during the labor and

Mother’s Day Initiative

For a list of women honored and memorialized through this initiative, scan the QR code or visit us online at www.wccfoh.org.

The Mother’s Day Initiative is an opportunity for everyone to honor the women who have made a lasting difference in their lives, while also making a difference in the lives of women and girls throughout Wayne County. A total of 244 women were honored or remembered on Mother’s Day, adding $15,385 to The Women’s Fund permanent endowment. Gifts to The Women’s Fund will generate dollars to award grants to nonprofit organizations serving Wayne County women – for generations to come.

Patty Alioto

Betty Aylsworth

Charles & Sarah Baker

Pat & Wayne Bare

Donald Beane

Jeff & Cindy Biggs

Robert & Joyce Blanchard*

Mike & Kelli Bogner

Brian & Olivia Boyer

Scott & Susan Boyes

Adam & Vikki Briggs*

Marty & Denise Broda

Laurie Buehler*

Maribeth Burns

James Cassady

Sara Cassady

Joe & Becky Catey

Ryan & Emily Chenevey

Wanda Christopher-Finn

Gordon Collins

Cathy Cook

John

Philanthropy on a dollar-a-day

GIVE 365 unites emerging philanthropists to make a collective impact in Wayne County, Ohio. With only a $1 a day – or $365 a year – members can join together to affect change with their philanthropic dollars, while learning about the challenges and opportunities facing our community. It also gives nonprofit organizations that are tackling these issues a way to demonstrate their value and potential to GIVE 365 members.

This year’s grant making focus for the Wayne County Community Foundation’s GIVE 365 program was “Children’s Health and Wellness.” After reviewing grant applications, the group voted to award a total of $21,708 to three nonprofit organizations:

Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio received $6,735 for their “2023 Everyone Plays Summer Camp.” This program provides participants with physical disabilities a 5-week long summer camp experience. At the end of the camp, they leave with a kit containing activities so that kids with or without disabilities can interact and play together.

Wayne Center for the Arts received $7,473 for their collaborative community outreach programming with YMCA of Wayne County, bringing a weekly artistic program to summer camps in Wooster, Orrville, and Shreve.

Wayne County Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc. was awarded $7,500 for their program aimed at educating adults to recognize child abuse and how to respond appropriately to get children the help they need.

Giving Your Way

Flexible options to fit your needs

For individuals, families, or organizations that want a strategic and simple approach to their long-term philanthropic giving, a charitable fund at Wayne County Community Foundation is a smart choice. These funds offer flexibility for donors, allowing them to choose their level of involvement.

With a variety of fund types, Wayne County Community Foundation has a solution to fulfill nearly every donor’s charitable wishes. We suggest getting started by meeting with our staff to discuss the fund options that best fit your goals.

WHAT IS YOUR GOAL?

Invest in the future of Wayne County. Giving to a Community Fund provides the most flexibility to respond to the changing needs in our community, now and forever.

Strengthen a particular community or specific area of interest.

A Field of Interest Fund directs grants for a specific purpose—such as supporting disadvantaged children, literacy, the performing arts, or your hometown.

Support a specific charitable organization. By establishing a Designated Fund, you can provide annual grants in perpetuity for one or more organizations of your choice.

Enable students to realize their educational dreams. A Scholarship Fund enables you to support our local students with scholarships to pursue postsecondary education.

Actively participate as a grantmaker. With a Donor or Corporate Advised Fund, you can actively participate by recommending grants to the causes you care about most.

Build an endowment for your nonprofit. Charitable organizations can establish Agency Funds to benefit their mission now and in the future.

GETTING STARTED IS EASY

The choice is yours! Establish a fund today so you can witness its impact during your lifetime, or give through a bequest or other planned gift.

We are able to accept a variety of gifts –cash, stocks and bonds, life insurance, IRA distributions, or even gifts by bequest – to create a named fund that fits your needs. Most funds may be opened with a minimum gift of $10,000; to open a new scholarship fund, the minimum is $20,000. Each of our fund types may begin as an Acorn Fund, allowing for it to be funded on an installment basis over 5 years.

Our professional staff is ready to meet with you to talk about your goals, and create a plan that matches your charitable interests and financial situation. Whatever your philanthropic objectives, we have the flexibility and tools to help you reach them. To learn more about establishing your fund at Wayne County Community Foundation, please call 330.262.3877 or email contact@wccfoh.org.

Power of Endowment

Supporting your community for generations to come

We understand the power of permanence. We believe it is the key to ensuring that our community’s future will be even brighter than its past. When you create a charitable fund through the Foundation, you can benefit the community forever with a permanent endowment.

The graphic below shows that your endowment gift will grow over time, while still providing grants to the causes you care about most.

Assumes an initial gift of $10,000, 6.5% ROI, 1% administrative fee, and 4.5% grant payout each year. This example is not a guarantee of return on investment.

New Funds

Each charitable fund created through Wayne County Community Foundation is unique and begins with a passionate donor with a personal story. This fiscal year, 34 new funds were established.

COMMUNITY FUNDS

Fiorita Family Community Fund

Scott J. Gross Fund

FIELD OF INTEREST FUNDS

Wayne County Choral Union Fund

*One Field of Interest Fund wishes to remain anonymous

DONOR OR CORPORATE ADVISED FUNDS

Burkhardt Family Fund

Dorothy Crystal Elementary Education Fund

Chief John Foster Memorial Fund

Ofori / Laing Family Fund

Nick & Rachel Relle Family Fund

Wayne-Holmes Association of REALTORS® Benefit Fund

*Four Donor Advised Funds and One Corporate Advised Fund wish to remain anonymous

DESIGNATED FUNDS

Herbert E. and Bertie Lou Allshouse Memorial Fund

Herbert E. and Bertie Lou Allshouse Natural Spaces Fund

Local Roots & FoodSphere Campaign for a New Building to Call Home Fund

Lyric Theater Renovation & Reopening Fund

Beginning in 2002, the Wayne County Choral Union brought together those who enjoy singing as a hobby to give them a chance to show off their talents several times a year in various shows across Wayne County. While the group has bid us farewell, having disbanded after the pandemic, their legacy lives on through the Wayne County Choral Union Fund. This Field of Interest Fund will be used to support music programs for school-aged youth throughout the county, with a preference for choral music programs.

Thelma A. Myers Memorial Fund

Wayne County Humane Society Surgical Building and Maintenance Fund

Wayne County Public Library Rittman Building Fund

Wooster City Schools Baseball and Softball Field Improvement Fund

AGENCY FUNDS

Killbuck Watershed Land Trust Stewardship Fund

John Rochus Memorial Lecture Series Fund

Wooster City Schools Alumni Fund

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

James and Anne Gui Architectural Scholarship Fund

Vita Kay Jacobs Memorial Scholarship Fund

Lamplighters Italian-American Scholarship Fund

Karyn Steiner Lehmann Memorial Scholarship Fund

Thelma A. Myers Scholarship Fund

Lt. Philip M. Wigal Memorial Scholarship Fund

Stan and Carol Wirt Memorial Scholarship Fund

*One Scholarship Fund wishes to remain anonymous

For a full list of funds, scan the QR code or visit us online at www.wccfoh.org.

Stan and Carol Wirt were both graduates of the very first class of Triway High School in 1963. High school sweethearts, the Wirts were married for 53 years and passed away just two months apart in 2021. Stan was a science teacher and football coach at THS; Carol had a career in the banking and insurance industries. Both were longtime members of the Shreve Lions Club and active in their community.

Through their estate, the couple established the Stan and Carol Wirt Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship will help other Triway High School graduates pursue their dreams of higher education. As a permanent endowed fund, their legacy will live on in perpetuity.

Donor Advised Funds offer an easy and flexible way for individuals and families to actively engage in philanthropy. The Nick & Rachel Relle Family Fund allows the Relles to support the causes they care about most, while also teaching their children the importance of philanthropy.

Community Funds put the full power of the Foundation to work for you! Created by generous, civic-minded individuals like Scott Gross, they are a primary source of grants to address the emerging needs in the community. By establishing the permanently endowed Scott J. Gross Fund, he enables the Foundation’s Board of Trustees to fuel big ideas, strengthen vulnerable populations, and improve the entire community during his lifetime and for generations to come.

The Killbuck Watershed Land Trust is an established and trusted organization working with landowners and conservation partners to protect the farmland and open spaces in our communities. Killbuck Watershed Land Trust Stewardship Fund will enable them to preserve these lands so that future generations can love living here as much as we do!

Addressing needs today and tomorrow Community Funds

Since our founding in 1978, visionary donors have been making gifts and creating funds to address the community’s most pressing needs. Community Funds are unrestricted –meaning that Wayne County Community Foundation has the flexibility to address the ever-changing community issues, including future needs that may not be imagined yet.

The Foundation’s Trustees evaluate all aspects of community well-being – arts and culture, education, environment, health and wellness, human services, and more. Unrestricted gifts empower us to make strategic grants, when and where the need and opportunity are greatest.

If you want to help Wayne County and its residents thrive, and make the greatest impact possible with your charitable dollars, a Community Fund is right for you.

Community Grants in Action

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A COMMUNITY FUND?

Establishing an unrestricted community fund is the ultimate way to support the community you love.

• It is a long-term fund created for long-term impact.

• It is flexible to address current and future needs and opportunities.

• Your money stays in your community and is used to make grants, when and where they are needed most.

• You may establish your fund with a gift today, or through a bequest.

• You, or others, can add to the fund you have established at any time, receiving tax benefits with each new gift.

$735,592 awarded to 34 area nonprofit organizations through the Foundation’s Competitive Community Grants and Wayne County Emergency Response Fund.

A Whole Community, Inc. to purchase a newer delivery truck for their Community Food Project, which provides farm-fresh produce to needy individuals.

Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio to purchase needed equipment for their various sports programs for Wayne County residents with physical disabilities.

Apple Creek Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Squad Inc. to purchase additional equipment and replace a cable machine for their expanded workout room.

Caring Closet of Wooster to create a Youth Shopping Space for children from disadvantaged, foster, or domestic abuse backgrounds who need essential clothing items.

Central American Medical Outreach, Inc. (CAMO) to purchase a gently used box truck to pick up donated medical equipment and supplies.

City of Orrville for Phase II of Orr Park Skate Park.

Community Action Wayne/Medina for their Action Fund, a case-managed hardship fund utilized to assist with timesensitive, critical needs not addressed by other community partners.

Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry Inc. to process deer donated by local hunters to provide food pantries and ministries in Wayne County with a healthy source of protein.

Friends of Hospice Wayne County Ohio to purchase a 16-foot box truck with liftgate to pick up donations in Wayne County.

Friends of Secrest Arboretum to improve functionality, accessibility and safety of Secrest Arboretum’s John Streeter Garden Amphitheater.

Phase II of the City of Orrville’s Orr Park development plan includes the addition of a Skate Park, designed with input from local skateboarding and biking enthusiasts. WCCF is pleased to help fund a park that encourages kids, teens and adults to go outside and play!

Grace Church (Wooster) to replace an outdated and non-functional defibrillator.

Green Local Schools to purchase and install new TV screens, signage and trophy cases in the Berkey Fieldhouse Lobby.

Heartland Education Community, Inc. to support character building and mentoring outside the classroom during their 20222023 year.

Learn ‘N Play of Wooster to remove 33year old damaged playground equipment and replace it with new, safe, ageappropriate equipment with safer fall zones.

Liberty Preparatory to purchase food for students for breakfast and lunch.

Marshallville Historical Society to repair and restore the cabin that houses their historical artifacts.

Milton Township/Wayne County - Sterling Fire District to purchase a Dual Purpose Hose and Gear Dryer for their fire station to decontaminate and dry firefighters’ gear between fires so it is ready to wear/use again more quickly.

Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare to purchase items for patients’ end-of-life comfort: cardiac monitor, specialty mattresses, an expandable bed, mobility chairs and pumps.

OneEighty, Inc. to purchase security equipment for their facilities to prevent and reduce violence at OneEighty, as phase one of their organizational and neighborhood safety project.

Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club to purchase equipment to create a portable music studio/ lab to expose kids to the joy of making music and learning to play instruments.

Orrville Historical Museum to install proper footer drains along the south and east sides of the historic Judge Smith Orr home and to shore up the foundation where needed to prevent water damage to the house.

Persophenea’s Giving Plate to acquire essential supplies, a fully functioning facility, and to upgrade vital kitchen equipment through an organizational makeover called “Project Streamline”.

Rittman Exempted Village Schools for the “Get Growing with Hydroponics” project, designed to improve students’ access to fresh, healthy food. The program serves three school districts – Rittman, Orrville, and Southeast Local.

From weddings and concerts to science shows and Shakespeare performances, the John Streeter Garden Amphitheater hosts a variety of events throughout the year. The Friends of Secrest Arboretum received grant funding to improve the functionality, accessibility and safety of this unique community event space.

Summer Stage Wooster to purchase portable, energy-efficient LED lights for their stage productions, as well as for the productions of Wooster High School Drama Club and other performing arts partners in the community.

Triway Local School District to purchase equipment for their growing Robotics Team –cases for robots, VEX robot kits, controllers, and wheeled storage containers to transport robotics equipment to competitions.

Village of Dalton Ohio, Police and Fire Departments to purchase a public safety drone and the necessary training/licensing to legally operate it; to provide a drone in eastern Wayne County.

Wayne Center for the Arts to transform a neglected park behind WCA into a revitalized, safe, attractive Art Park that is accessible to all.

Wayne County Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc. to provide training to mandated reporters (teachers, daycares, nurses, doctors, counselors, law enforcement personnel) on how to protect our children from sexual predators, who are often someone the children know and trust.

Volunteers for Persophenea’s Giving Plate cook and package nutritious, hot meals for our neighbors experiencing food insecurity.

Wayne County Children’s STEAM Playlab Inc. to purchase 3D printers, router, CNC machine, laser engraver, vinyl printer and furniture to create an Art Smart Studio.

Wayne County Fire & Rescue Association to replace and renew their emergency medical services (EMS) training equipment and their facility’s Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

Wayne County Public Library for their new library branch in Ritttman.

The Wilderness Center, Inc. to purchase native plants for the restoration and improvement of land in Funk Bottoms to return it to a natural wetlands habitat.

Wooster Community Hospital Foundation to purchase adult and infant manikins and simulators to train medical professionals on real-life clinical scenarios.

YMCA of Wayne County for roof repairs and replacement for the Orrville YMCA.

Community Grants Support First Responders

Each and every day, our local Firefighters, Police, and EMTs put their own lives at risk to save others. They answer the call, rush toward danger, and provide indispensable, life-saving service. In recognition of their importance to the safety of our community, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees awarded these organizations over $90,000 in Community Grants during the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

Apple Creek Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Squad Inc. received a $13,000 grant to purchase additional equipment and replace a cable machine for their expanded workout room. A first responder’s job is extraordinarily physical in nature. By offering an onsite fitness facility, the organization is able to keep their staff at peak fitness, allowing them to provide the highest level of service to their community.

Milton Township, Wayne County received a $10,608 grant for the Sterling Fire District to purchase a Dual-Purpose Hose and Gear Dryer for their fire station to decontaminate and dry firefighters’ gear between fires. Many fires emit dangerous contaminates and carcinogens that coat firefighters’ protective clothing and hoses. The station had a washing machine, but the new gear and hose dryer

dramatically speeds up the process of drying the gear, decreasing the amount of time equipment is out of service, and enables crews to respond more quickly and effectively when the next alarm sounds.

Village of Dalton Police and Fire Departments received a $15,000 grant for the purchase of a public safety drone, along with the necessary training and licensing to legally operate it. This is the second drone the Foundation has funded for a local emergency response organization, the first being stationed in western Wayne County. With this one being housed in eastern Wayne County, response times will be significantly reduced, potentially mitigating an emergency or saving a life.

Wayne County Fire and Rescue Association received a $52,470 grant to replace and renew their emergency medical services (EMS) training equipment and their facility’s automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Wayne County Fire and Rescue not only provides education for those looking to enter the field of Firefighting or Emergency Response, but they also offer continuing education and professional development programs to ensure emergency response teams can access cutting edge training and certifications.

We are grateful for our first responders and thank them for choosing to serve our community and making a difference in the lives of others.

Investing in the Next Generation

At Wayne County Community Foundation, we understand the importance of investing in the next generation. By supporting projects that help our youth thrive, we are setting them up to be well-rounded citizens with the ability to adapt and problem-solve, to accomplish their goals, and to better serve their communities in the future.

This fiscal year, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees awarded over $150,000 in Community Grants for projects specifically benefiting Wayne County children. Here are a few of those projects:

Orrville Area Boys and Girls Club received $8,645.82 to purchase equipment to create a portable music studio to expose kids to the joy of making music and learning to play instruments. Creative pursuits, such as the music studio, have tangible academic benefits. Studies show that integrating the arts and music in education significantly improves test scores and graduation rates, plus it develops math and language ability. While the equipment is housed at the OABGC, it can be transported to their locations at Rittman and Southeast Local School Districts.

Rittman Exempted Village Schools received $15,000 for the “Get Growing with Hydroponics” project, designed to improve students’ access to fresh, healthy foods. By using indoor hydroponic farming technology to sustainably grow fresh food, the program positively impacts the health and wellness of students across three school districts – Rittman, Orrville, and Southeast Local. Not only does the project address food insecurity and disparities in the American food system, but it strives to educate students about nutrition in an effort to lower obesity rates.

Triway Local Schools received $20,000 to purchase equipment for their growing Robotics Team. Competitive robotics is a rigorous activity that teaches students how to use different tools, software, hardware, and sensors to create and control their robots. These motivated, dedicated and self-directed students also learn to work cooperatively to accomplish a shared goal. Robotics teams often travel around the region to test their skills against their peers during daylong tournaments. These innovative competitions push students to build technical engineering, creative thinking and communication skills because they must design and build solutions to real-world problems.

Wayne County Children’s STEAM Playlab, Inc. received $30,000 to establish their “Art Smart Studio”, a makerspace where children and teens can use a variety of tools (such as a 3D printer, CNC machine, laser engraver, vinyl printer, and other materials) to dream, design, and build projects. Participants will have the opportunity to explore their own interests, while developing abilities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). Not only will this space provide a hands-on lab for learning and critical thinking skills, it will also foster entrepreneurship and be utilized as an incubator for business startups.

Rittman students plant seedlings in a Flex Farm system. The hydroponic system uses less water than traditional agriculture and grows a minimum of 20-25 pounds of leafy greens each month.

VEX robots, like this one, provide educational robotics experience for everyone! With snaptogether pieces specifically designed to build highly functional robots, students can build anything they imagine. Beyond science and engineering principles, these robots encourage creativity, teamwork, leadership, and problem solving among groups.

Capital Campaigns Building for the future

Capital campaigns are one of the most effective ways to galvanize transformational support for a nonprofit. They build energy around a bold vision for the future, engage key stakeholders in fundraising activity, and inspire support from the broader community.

However, planning, launching, and managing a capital campaign is a huge undertaking for a nonprofit.

That is where Wayne County Community Foundation can step in and ease the administrative burden.

We have helped nonprofit organizations of all sizes to orchestrate capital campaigns over the years. But with many projects put on pause due to the global pandemic, this year has been particularly busy, as we are simultaneously working with five different organizations!

Created by a group of volunteers in 2009, Local Roots is a co-op that operates as a year-round market offering seasonal, sustainable foods, artwork, and crafts of all kinds from over 200 local producers, as well as food and nonfood staple items from environmentally and socially responsible businesses. As the organization has grown, their current building’s size has become a limiting factor. The organization has partnered with FoodSphere and they have established the Local Roots and FoodSphere Campaign for a New Building to Call Home Fund to aid in the purchase and renovation of a new location just around the corner.

The Downtown Arts Theater, Inc. is transforming the past into the future with the revitalization of The Lyric Theater. The renovated theater will bring more entertainment options to downtown Wooster, with a programming model that includes film, live music, and more. As an anchor of a planned downtown arts and culture district, The Lyric will be part of an economic engine, driving visitors to discover this exciting space of creativity and conversation. The newly established Lyric Theater Renovation and Reopening Fund will help them bring the theater back to life.

The Rittman branch of the Wayne County Public Library (WCPL) has been at its current location for more than 60 years and has been a valued resource for the community. At only 4,270 square feet, the Rittman library is one of the smallest branches, yet the population of the service area is the second largest in the library’s system. Not surprisingly, they have outgrown the current location. Additionally, the existing building is not handicapped accessible, making it difficult for physically challenged patrons to enjoy the library’s programs and services. By creating the Wayne County Public Library Rittman Building Fund, WCPL has embarked on a capital campaign to construct a new library in Rittman. The new building, at 14,137 square feet, will provide much needed space for children, teen, and adult programs; library materials; reading, study, and meeting areas; as well as space for the library’s delivery and facilities departments.

Maintenance Fund was established to help raise money to build and maintain a new surgical facility. This new facility will enable the Humane Society to spay or neuter animals before they are adopted in order to reduce companion animal overpopulation as well as decrease behaviors associated with being unaltered that may prevent the animal from staying in their adopted home.

Since 1973, the Wayne County Humane Society has been working to find permanent homes for companion animals and measurably reduce the overpopulation of these animals in the community. To enable the organization to meet its mission, the Wayne County Humane Society Surgical Building and

When the Wooster Generals baseball and softball teams return to the field next spring, they are hoping it will be on a new artificial turf field, thanks to a capital campaign kicked off by the Wooster Baseball and Softball Field Improvement Committee. The turf fields will allow teams to play more games in inclement spring weather, while also reducing the costs of maintaining the fields. Additionally, it will enable the facility to host significant tournaments, bringing teams and families from around the region to boost our local economy. By establishing the Wooster City Schools Baseball and Softball Field Improvement Fund at the Foundation, the Improvement Committee is able to accept tax-deductible donations and manage multi-year pledges. New turf is just the start, as the committee plans to implement a second phase of improvements, including stadium lights, locker rooms, batting cages, and other facility upgrades with the revenue generated from hosting tournaments.

Herbert and Bertie Lou Allshouse

Herbert Allshouse fell in love with the “girl next door.” As a snowstorm blanketed Akron, Ohio on the eve of Thanksgiving in 1952, he proposed to Bertie Lou Hill and the two married the following June before setting off on a lifetime of adventure.

Herb entered the United States Navy, first serving as an Officer with the Pacific Fleet. After completing Submarine School, he was assigned to the Greenfish SS 351 out of Pearl Harbor. Bertie Lou accompanied him, teaching at Punahou School in Honolulu. The couple were stationed in Hawaii until 1956, when they returned to Ohio for Herb to attend medical school. While he was enrolled at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Bertie Lou taught in Euclid, Ohio.

Graduating from medical school in 1961, Herb made the decision to reenter the U.S. Navy, completed the School of Aviation Medicine in Pensacola, Florida, and served at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Bertie Lou stood patiently and lovingly awaiting his return on piers across the country.

With family on their minds, Herb returned to a civilian career in 1967, settling in Wooster, Ohio. Herb joined the Wooster Clinic and served as a primary care physician until his retirement in 1994. After raising their three children, Bertie Lou returned to University of Akron to obtain her Master’s Degree. She volunteered as a reading specialist in the Wooster City Schools and St. Mary’s Parochial School.

Following retirement, the couple enjoyed their grandchildren, going on biking adventures, and spending time in nature. After 61 years of marriage, Bertie Lou passed away in 2015. Herb established the Bertie Lou Allshouse Education Fund in honor of his late wife. The fund enables The Wilderness Center to bring in guest speakers for special programs. Herb also established the Bertie Lou and Herb Allshouse Designated Education Fund to support the scholarship awarded each year, by the WoosterOrrville NAACP, in honor of Charles Follis, the first professional African-American football player and Wooster High School graduate.

When Herb passed away in 2022, their daughter Beth Allshouse Davis and her husband, Dennis Davis, established the Herbert E. and Bertie Lou Allshouse Memorial Fund to provide charitable support to Friends of Hospice, supporting operations and improvements for both Friendtique and The Nest. They also established the Herbert E. and Bertie Lou Allshouse Natural Spaces Fund to provide ongoing support to Friends of Secrest Arboretum.

Herb and Bertie Lou may be gone, but through these permanently endowed funds, their story endures.

Lt. Philip M. Wigal Memorial Scholarship

Wayne County suffered a devastating loss in April 2022 when Lt. Philip M. Wigal lost his life in the line of duty.

Phil wanted to be a firefighter since he was four years old. After graduating from Northwestern High School in 2006, he volunteered on the Town and Country Fire Department before going on to become a full-time Firefighter and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician. Phil was a member of the Town and Country Fire District for 16 years, where he served as an inspector, EMS Instructor, and President of the Town and County Fire Association. In addition, he served part-time on the Lodi and Canaan Fire Departments.

On that fateful day in 2022, Lt. Wigal was responding to a minor crash on I-71, near State Route 301 in Wayne County. During the investigation, Phil positioned his fire truck to create a barrier, protecting the first responders and others assisting in the crash cleanup. Phil lost his life when a semi tractor-trailer hit his fire truck. But, by creating that barrier, Phil saved the lives of other emergency personnel.

To honor his legacy, family and community members came together to establish the Lt. Philip M. Wigal Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship will enable others to become Firefighters and/or Emergency Medical Technicians through the Wayne County Fire and Rescue Regional Training Facility.

A friend to everyone he met, Phil was always one to greet you with a smile and a hug. He had a big heart and a great passion for helping people. We will never forget his courage, commitment, and bravery. He will always be remembered as a true hero that paid the ultimate price in service to his community.

Empowering the next generation Scholarship Funds

Scholarship funds help students to realize their dreams of a college education. In addition to scholarships that benefit high school seniors, there is a growing need to support post-high school educational opportunities for individuals who didn’t finish their college educations, need to be re-trained, or are in advanced fields of study. Thanks to our generous donors, the Foundation awarded over $888,000 in scholarships to 274 individual recipients for the 2023-2024 academic year. Below are just a few recipients:

For a full list of scholarship recipients, scan the QR code or visit us online at www.wccfoh.org.

Ki’Asia Benjamin Orrville High School

Nolan Miller Dalton High School

Caroline Kennel Rittman High School

Rebekah Lay Wooster High School

Hayden Ringle Norwayne High School

Peyton Morrow Triway High School

Olivia Miley Smithville High School

$888,359 Total Scholarships Awarded for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

UNITED BY GRIEF

When the Malinowski family established the Jamie S. Malinowski “Good Character” Scholarship Fund last year, they never imagined the recipient would be someone who was hurting as much as their family following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jamie, a Chippewa High School graduate, died of COVID in November 2020. Soon after, her parents and brother established the scholarship so that her memory would live on.

When 18-year old Robin

Jollay read about the scholarship, the story behind it felt eerily familiar. Robin knew that family’s heartbreak. She lost her own father to COVID just two months after Jamie passed. Robin had never met anyone else in Doylestown who had lost someone to COVID. “When I first read about it, I just felt connected to the family,” said Robin. “I knew I had to apply.”

Robin’s resume was already impressive, having been a peer mentor, a tutor for elementary students, a student council representative, and a leader in her school’s National Honor Society chapter and Academic Challenge team. She was also a cheerleader and ran cross country. In her essay, Robin wrote about comforting her siblings after their dad’s death and working a part-time job to help her family financially. Her dad spent every day shaping her to be the person and student that she is, she wrote. “I won’t take this opportunity for granted, I will work hard every day to get closer to a degree that would have made my dad proud.”

“It never dawned on me that it would go to a student who had lost someone to COVID,” said Keith Malinowski, Jamie’s brother. “When I read Robin’s essay, it just took me back to the thoughts and feelings that we had, and what she and her family must have been experiencing.”

Based on her top grades, community and school involvement, and her essay, the volunteer scholarship selection committee unanimously selected Robin as the 2023-2024 recipient of the award. This fall, she will be off to The Ohio State University to pursue a degree in biology.

The gift of a lifetime Leave a Legacy

More than great wealth, philanthropy requires a generosity of spirit and the desire to improve the quality of life for others. By carefully planning your estate, you can create benefits for yourself, your family and your community. With thoughtful preparation now, you can be assured your legacy gifts will be directed to the causes you care about most.

HOW CAN I LEAVE A LEGACY?

Leave a Bequest – Include the Foundation in your will as the beneficiary of assets you wish to donate. Committing a portion of your bequest this way removes the assets from your taxable estate. These gifts can be cash, stocks, bonds, or tangible property.

Retirement Funds and IRAs – Name the Foundation as the beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or 403(b) to avoid income and estate taxes upon your death. Continue to withdraw from your plan during your lifetime, then benefit your favorite causes with the remainder of the fund.

Life Insurance – Pay an annual premium for a new or existing life insurance policy and designate the Foundation as the primary or contingent beneficiary. You can also gift a life insurance policy you own and no longer need or make the Foundation the owner of a new policy for which you pay the annual premiums.

Our staff will work closely with you and your financial advisor to help facilitate the type of gift that is right for you. Contact us to learn more about the ways we can help you have a positive impact on the community and causes you cherish.

CAN I FOCUS MY PHILANTHROPY?

Absolutely! Because philanthropy is intensely personal, it’s important to match your desire to give with a community need that “speaks to you.”

Your planned gift with WCCF can create a Field of Interest Fund that will allow WCCF to give grants in the areas you are most passionate about – whether its education, nature conservation, or the arts. Or you can design a Designated Fund that will benefit one or several of your favorite nonprofits. If you want to make a difference in the lives of students, you can establish a Scholarship Fund. You can also donate unrestricted gifts, known as Community Funds, which provide the most flexibility to address emerging needs in our community – now and in the future.

Legacy Society

The Legacy Society recognizes individuals who have made plans to leave a gift to the community in partnership with the Foundation.

We gratefully acknowledge all those who have plans to leave a legacy to the community through the Foundation. Please talk with your professional advisor and us to find out how easy it is to leave a lasting impression on what matters to you.

We appreciate the compassion, generosity and foresight of our Legacy Society members*:

Larry and Cindy Acker

Jeff and Kathy Bielek

Terry D. Blough

Carol and David M. Briggs

James H. and Yvonne A. Brown

Susan Daly Buchwalter

Maribeth Burns

Delores Durbin

Karen Boyer Ferrara

Mike and Sharon Flinner

Don and Nadine Foster

Max Friedman

Stefan and Melanie Garcia

Carol Gates

Jean P. Gates

Richard D. Gates

Paul D. Gerlaugh

Lana and Jim Gesler

Richard E. and Rilla E. Herald

Elizabeth and Bob Hooker

Ron and Julie Hovanec

Judy Kastelan

John W. and Cheryl M. Kirkbride

Linda R. Kline

J. Eugene and Donna Devore Lowe

Steve and Chris Matthew

Mimi Freedlander McCain

Calvin and Beverly McCoy

Lynn R. Moomaw

Brenda Blaney Myers

C. Burwell Myers, Jr.

Sara L. Patton

Lemoine W. Peart

Timothy and Jonell Ramsier

Deborah Rauschenberg

Candace K. and Ferenc M. Relle, Jr.

Thomas A. Romich

Bill and Mabel Rottman

Stephen L. and Cheryl F. Shapiro

Karen and Ed Sims

Richard and Marguerite M. Wagner

Mark and Irene Weaver

* Four members preferred to remain anonymous

LARRY ACKER 1940-2023

A lifelong resident of Wayne County, Larry Acker lived a life of gratitude and service to others.

A respected educator and administrator, Larry dedicated his life to education. By establishing the Larry and Cindy Acker Scholarship Fund during his lifetime, Larry had the pleasure of watching over 20 years’ worth of recipients go on to further their post-secondary education.

As a member of the Legacy Society, Larry and Cindy ensured the scholarship will continue to benefit the students of Wayne County for years to come.

Financial Stewardship

GIVE GRANT GROW

The Wayne County Community Foundation is committed to growing the philanthropic resources of our community through careful stewardship of the Foundation’s assets. Effective financial management allows the Foundation to respond to today’s needs while building the value of the funds for future needs.

Our investment strategy aims to preserve and enhance the value of donor gifts, build capital for the future, and meet community needs today. To accomplish these objectives, we maintain a diversified portfolio overseen by our investment committee and a professional investment management firm.

Asset Growth

Asset Allocation

2022-2023 INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

Adam Briggs, Chair

Marlene Barkheimer

Mike Jarrett

Steve Matthew

Brent Steiner

Mary Alice Streeter

Ron Holtman, Emeritus

ACCOUNTING FIRM

Meaden & Moore Ltd.

AUDITOR

Rea & Associates, Inc.

INVESTMENT CONSULTANTS

Clearstead Advisors, LLC

CUSTODIAL

MANAGERS

The Commercial & Savings Bank

Fidelity Investments

To view our Audited Financial Statements, scan the QR code or visit us online at www.wccfoh.org.

Board of Trustees

for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023

Dr. Larry Markley Doylestown/Rittman

Dr. Cyril Ofori Wooster

Glenda Lehman Ervin SE Quarter

Cheryl Kirkbride Orrville

Roger D. Proper, Jr. Wooster

Michael D. Agnoni Doylestown/Rittman

Maribeth Burns At Large - East

Adam A. Briggs At Large - West

W. Michael Jarrett Orrville

Marlene Barkheimer NW Quarter

Brent R. Steiner Vice President

Mark A. Auble President

Mary Alice Streeter Treasurer

Deanna Troutman Secretary

Bala Venkataraman Wooster

William J. Robertson Doylestown/Rittman

Steve Matthew Wooster

Trustees Emeriti

Staff

For a list of our generous donors, scan the QR code or visit us online at www.wccfoh.org.

Melanie Reusser Garcia Executive Director

Lacie M. Neal Program Manager

Ronald E. Holtman

Howard J. Wenger Emily Speelman Administrative Assistant

Slabaugh Office and Accounting Manager

Richard S. Wagner

Giving your way.

Start

Since 1978, we’ve partnered with individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits in Wayne County to establish charitable funds that will support their philanthropic passions today, tomorrow, and forever.

With a variety of charitable fund types, Wayne County Community Foundation has a solution to fulfill nearly every donor’s charitable wishes.

We suggest getting started by meeting with our staff to discuss the fund options that best fit your charitable goals.

contact@wccfoh.org

330.262.3877