Blog
#RichlandGives Spotlight: Love Inc.
Love INC of Greater Mansfield has been serving members of our community since its inception in June of 2011 by the late Bob Sterken and his wife Jane. As a result of their hard work and dedication, we can proudly say that we have grown to have fifteen church partners and we anticipate growing more in the weeks and months to come.
#RichlandGives Spotlight: American Red Cross
American Red Cross of Lake Erie Heartland is hosting this year's Festival of Trees, a holiday-themed fundraising effort which serves the emergency and disaster relief of Richland, Ashland, Huron, Lorain, Wayne Counties.
#RichlandGives Spotlight: Matthew 25 Outreach Center
Matthew 25 Outreach Center is a rapidly growing non-profit organization based in Mansfield. M25OC is a 100% volunteer operated organization that is blessed to be a part of a collaboration of people from more than 20 churches, several local businesses, local schools and many civic organizations.
#RichlandGives Spotlight: Mansfield Area Y
With the help of Richland Gives, the Mansfield Area Y has been able to implement and maintain a variety of programs such as; Diabetes Prevention Program, LIVESTRONG, Open Doors, and Safety Around Water. We have plans to enhance and continue all of these crucial programs into 2018 thanks to #RichlandGives and our generous supporters.
#RichlandGives Spotlight: Lucas Community Center
The Lucas Community Center's (LCC) mission is to provide an uplifting environment that brings hope and joy while improving the quality of life for residents of the Lucas community.
#RichlandGives Spotlight: Richland Community Development Group
The Richland Community Development Group (RCDG) was formed by and as a group of local citizens dedicated to the enhancement, development, and future of our community's quality of life. Established to complement traditional economic efforts and empower residents to stimulate positive change through the development of volunteer community sectors.
#RichlandGives Spotlight: Kingwood Center Gardens
Kingwood Center Gardens has been undergoing transformations, and the progress has been exhilarating! Each year marks a dramatic improvement in Kingwood's ability to build upon Mr. King's cherished benevolence and enhance the excellence he envisioned and our guests have come to expect.
#RichlandGives Spotlight: Buckeye Council, Boy Scouts of America
Success in life often comes down to making the best of any situation. Scouting hands youth situations, and shows them how to make the best of them. It shows them how to build their own shelter in a hailstorm so they will know how to build a solid life. #RichlandGives
Incentives offered during Richland Gives
Thanks to the generosity of donors at the Richland County Foundation, incentives will be awarded as grants to nonprofit organizations participating in Richland Gives, beyond what they raised from online donations.
A Donor's Point of View on the Value of a Charitable Gift Annuity
Give and receive with a Charitable Gift Annuity An annuity is the payment of an annual income or allowance. A charitable gift is, well, a gift to charity. Put them together and you have a Charitable Gift Annuity -- the giving technique with something for everyone. It’s an ideal plan for those who’d like to make a significant gift but depend on the income from their assets. The Richland County Foundation offers Charitable Gift Annuities to donors as one option to help them fulfill their charitable intentions.
Nonprofits can sign up for Richland Gives
Registration is open to Richland County nonprofit organizations for Richland Gives, a day of giving, hosted by the Richland County Foundation. It is free but nonprofits must register each year to participate via RichlandGives.org. Registration will close October 30.
Connections Looks to the Future of Philanthropy
The Connections Fund at the Richland County Foundation was established in 2004. Its mission is to foster and retain young leaders while promoting a philanthropic identity and involvement in Richland County. The Fund was born out of a desire to engage young people in philanthropy.
Making Strides on a 5-Year Economic Development Strategy
The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees recently approved funding for economic development projects. Foundation President Brady Groves said “Richland County is at a pivotal point in its economic evolution. The groundwork has been laid, key people have been hired, organizations are working together and we are now poised to make significant strides.”
What do you do?
The moral of the story is the majority of what I do is in meetings and behind a computer screen but often I receive invitations from nonprofit organizations asking if I want to see what they’re doing and the answer is always, “ABSOLUTELY!”
The Power of Diversity
In The Difference: How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools and Societies, University of Michigan economist Scott Page presents research proving that groups of people representing different backgrounds, genders, cultures and thinking styles are better than homogeneous groups at solving problems. This finding has huge implications for community foundations, where creative problem-solving is essential if we are to continue to meet the changing needs of our community.
Foundation hosts professional advisor seminar
Attorneys, CPAs and Certified Financial Planners can earn one continuing education credit hour. The lunch and seminar are free. Seating is limited and a RSVP is required by June 2. Please call the Richland County Foundation at 419-525-3020.
Community Building Highlighted During Annual Meeting
Over 100 people attended to hear messages from Foundation President Brady Groves and Linden Road Presbyterian Lead Pastor Tom Roepke. Both men talked about the need to work together to improve the community.
A Lexington Church Continues its Legacy
The church no longer exists but its legacy will live on. The Lexington First Congregational Church established a fund at the Richland County Foundation.
Summertime programs for children receive funding
The Richland County Foundation is supporting summertime programs focused on children. A committee of Foundation Board of Trustees and community members awarded 20 grants totaling $39,416. The grants of up to $2,500 were given to support creative, educational
You are invited to the annual meeting
The Richland County Foundation will conduct its annual meeting Monday, May 1 at 11:30 a.m. at the Mid Ohio Educational Conference Center, 890 West Fourth Street, Mansfield.
From the front lines at the community foundation
When I say I work at the Richland County Foundation, most of my friends and family don't understand what I do. The most common response I get is, Oh you write a lot of grants. Well, not really.
How can we make applying for a grant easier?
Making it easier to apply for a grant. Access to support and online applications are two ways. One key point to keep in mind is that we’re all just people. You can contact a funder and ask questions. Listen to what they’re saying about your project or idea and take their advice. One of the greatest benefits of connecting with a community investment officer at a foundation is that person has contact with board and committee members who are making decisions about your grant application.
What goes on at a community foundation?
I am working on the annual report and thought I would share some FAQs. What is a community foundation? A community foundation is an independent, tax-exempt public charity whose mission is to accept and administer charitable gifts and bequests, regardless of size, for the benefit of the local community. Community foundations fulfill donors’ charitable goals by awarding grants that meet a broad range of community needs, from the arts to basic human needs, to the environment. Typically, a community foundation is comprised of many separate component funds. Unlike private foundations, community foundations funds come from many sources, including individuals and families, businesses, and other nonprofit organizations. The first community foundation started in 1904 in Cleveland, Ohio. Today there are over 700 independent community foundations located across the country.
Economic metrics are the focus of community dashboard
A new website has been launched to track the economic health of the local community. RichlandVitalSigns.com is a key piece of the Richland County Foundation's five-year transformative economic development strategic plan.
Richland County Foundation Accredited with Rigorous Philanthropic Standards
Richland County Foundation again received accreditation with the nation's highest standard for philanthropic excellence. National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations.
Richland County Foundation Connections Fund awards over $20,000 in grants
The Connections Fund of the Richland County Foundation announced its 2017 grants during its Winter Reception January 27 held at the foundation. The Connections Fund donors approved $20,000 in grants this year.
Betty Martin Establishes an Elementary Education Fund
Betty Martin recently established a field-of-interest fund to support elementary education in the Mansfield City School District. She taught at Carpenter Elementary School for 28 years and is passionate about educating children.
Foundation kicks off third year of its Osborne Meese Academy
The Richland CountyFoundation held an orientation January 12 for staff members from 15 nonprofit organizations to kick off its third year of the Osborne Meese Academy. The program is designed to build and support nonprofit organizations and to act as a catalyst.
The Foundation Welcomes a Community Investment Officer
Alan Mitchell II has been named the community investment officer at the Richland County Foundation.
Where is the next emerging opportunity for philanthropy to build social capital?
The role of the mid-sized and smaller community foundation is changing. More and more conversations with my community foundation peers turn to the topic of: how can we be proactive in driving economic and community development in our respective communities
