Who is Osborne Meese?

Osborne Meese is considered the founding father of the Richland County Foundation. Along with six other businessmen in 1945 he established the Richland County Foundation after handling the payments to indigent individuals in Richland County through the Scattergood Fund for years. Osborne Meese had an admirable business ethic, strong community ties, excellent leadership ability, and foresight for Richland County.  The other founders include Robert B. Black, Scott F. Coffin, John H. Finefrock, George W. Stephens, Paul R. Tappan, and Norman L. Wolfe.

What is the Osborne Meese Academy?

The Osborne Meese Academy (OMA) was established out of a need within the community to build capacity, serve as an informational resource, and act as a catalyst to encourage stronger collaboration among nonprofit organizations.

What are the expected outcomes of the program?
The goals of The Osborne Meese Academy are:
~Develop sustainable organizations to be ready to meet community needs
~Strengthen executive leaders and governing bodies
~Increase knowledge about and implementation of nonprofit governance and organizational effectiveness

For more information, call 419-525-3020 or email Senior Community Investment Officer, Siera Marth-May, smarth@rcfoundation.org.

Osborne Meese Academy 2026


The Richland County Foundation is partnering with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to offer
in-person sessions of Charitable University. Charities have a profound impact on our lives. Charitable board members, staff, and volunteers need to have an understanding of some of the legal obligations intended to protect charitable assets and those who rely on the critical services provided by the sector. Charitable University is a program from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office that provides training in some of the most important areas, such as board governance, governmental filings and record keeping, financial activities, and fundraising.

The curriculum from the online Charitable University program will be presented to area charitable leaders who will receive completion credit for the program, and their names will be listed on the Attorney General’s web page as an acknowledgement of their commitment to learning about their important roles as sector leaders.

Beth Short, Director of Charitable Outreach and Education for the Ohio Attorney General’s Charitable Law Section, has spent her career working for and with nonprofit organizations. Her work in the Charitable Law Section focuses on the development of strategies aimed at strengthening the nonprofit sector.

March 17
9am – 12pm
Light Breakfast & Refreshments Provided

July 16
4pm-7pm
Lunch & Refreshments Provided

September 17
4pm-7pm
Lunch & Refreshments Provided

November 5
9am – 12pm
Light Breakfast & Refreshments Provided

Board members unable to participate at an in-person session, may also complete the online courses to count towards 75% completion. Those organizations with confirmed 75% completion (either in-person or online) will be eligible:

  • To apply for a 2-hour coaching session with a nonprofit consultant to provide specialized board governance training and development.
  • For a chance to win a $1,000 grant prize during Richland Gives, if they also participate in Richland Gives.

For more information, call 419-525-3020 or email Senior Community Investment Officer,
Siera Marth-May, smarth@rcfoundation.org.