Foundation Board Approves Second Cycle Grants for Arts and Community Programs

Foundation Board Approves Second Cycle Grants for Arts and Community Programs

by | Jul 21, 2021 | Announcements, Grants

Barberton Community Foundation Logo

The Barberton Community Foundation Board of Directors met at the Active Adult Center on Thursday, July 15 to approve $63,179.50 for six grants in the second cycle for arts and community programming. The board also discussed several upcoming events, contracting with Heritage Ohio, and other business.

Grants:

City of Barberton was awarded $20,000 for the Foundation Fields lighting upgrade. This grant supports the installation of exterior LED lighting retrofit upgrades for all four fields at the Foundation Fields complex.

The Foundation awarded $15,000 to the City of Barberton Parks and Recreation Department for operating support including: programming, youth camps, summer concerts, the Mum Fest, and park maintenance.

Habitat for Humanity received $15,000 from the Foundation for their program called: Barberton New Home Build. Habitat builds homes for low-to-moderate income families and offers 30-year, zero interest mortgages.

Magical Theatre Company was awarded $5,500 for operating support to sustain the organization through the ongoing pandemic.

The Barberton High School Art Department was awarded $4,179.50 to purchase and integrate iPads in the creation of artwork. This will help students learn the creative applications many professionals use.

The Foundation granted $3,500 to United Way of Summit & Medina for their 2-1-1 program. The 2-1-1 Information and Referral hotline is a free, confidential 24/7 information helpline that helps residents with find health and social services, food pantries, and more.

Two motions for changes to funds:

The Board approved two motions regarding funds held at the Foundation. First, there are several funds established by Barberton Summa Hospital: the Barberton Alumni Physician Now and Forever Funds and the Barberton Alumni Physician Scholarship Fund. The Foundation approved, at the recommendation of Dr. Michael Hughes (fund advisor), to consolidate these funds in order to grow the Barberton Alumni Physician Scholarship Fund for Barberton students.

Second, the Foundation approved that the Barberton Salvation Army Now and Forever Fund, which uses funds raised from the Labor Day event, expand its purpose statement to: “the purpose of the Fund shall be to support local nonprofit organizations that contribute to the overall health and well-being of the citizens of Barberton by services to the underserved population.” This change was made at the recommendation of Denny Liddle, who is the fund advisor and originator.

Events:

The Foundation has contracted with Heritage Ohio, which will be conducting an introductory event in the fall. The Foundation is also planning donor and board events, has partnered with Magical Theatre for Tuscany on Tusc, and is planning their Annual Dinner for November 4. Tickets will go on sale in the fall.

If you want to learn more about the Foundation, visit our website at barbertoncf.org or please give us a call at 330-745-5995.

Nominate a Game Changer

Nominate a Game Changer

by | Jun 17, 2021 | Announcements

Nominate a Game Changer

Game Changer Application Opens

It’s that time of year again! The annual Game Changer Award is open and accepting nominations through July 15. 2021 has been an exceptional year for many reasons. Help us identify those individuals and organizations who deserve recognition! You can download a nomination form or apply online by following the links below.

Read about our past Game Changers >

Criteria:

Nominees should be an individual or an organization that has made a positive impact in Barberton through their leadership, vision and/or commitment to the community. Tell us what you admire about them, how they have benefitted Barberton, and acts of service they have performed. Nominees should be connected to the community as a resident, a volunteer, or through their work.

Recognition:

The Game Changer award is traditionally presented during Barberton Community Foundation’s annual dinner. This year’s annual dinner is on Thursday, November 4 at the Galaxy Restaurant. Tickets and sponsorships for the dinner will be announced later this summer.

Process and evaluation:

The application window is open until July 15. A committee consisting of a cross section of citizens from Barberton reviews all nominations and makes a selection by the end of July.

 Application:

PDF Nomination Form
Online Nomination Form

Ray E. Leach, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund

Ray E. Leach, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund

by | May 25, 2021 | Announcements, Grants

Ray E. Leach, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund

Barberton Community Foundation is pleased to welcome the Leach Family to the Foundation with the announcement of the Ray E. Leach, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund. Tina, Kathy, Mike, and Ray have decided to honor their father (and Brianna her grandfather), with a scholarship that will benefit a Barberton student pursuing a trade school or technical education.

Ray Sr. was a self-made man who was always helping others. He believed that everyone should have the opportunity to follow their passion and do what they do best. This scholarship is designed to remember Ray Sr. in his belief of a brighter future, to further students’ talents and help them financially, no matter their passion.

If you would like to support the Ray E. Leach, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, there are several ways to make a donation.

You can give Barberton Community Foundation a call at 330-745-5995 or send a check by mail to 460 W. Paige Ave. Barberton, OH 44203. Be sure to mention the Ray Leach Sr. Scholarship as your designation.

Donate Online

In May 2021, the Leach Family awarded their first scholarship to Skylar Ramsey, which coincided on the 50th anniversary celebration of Leach’s Meats and Sweets. Congratulations Skylar and Leach Family! 

Barberton Community Foundation Turns 25

Barberton Community Foundation Turns 25

by | May 19, 2021 | Announcements

Barberton Community Foundation Logo

Executive Director, Suzanne Allen, shares an overview of 25 years of impact from the Foundation

2021 is a special year for Barberton Community Foundation. We are celebrating our 25th Anniversary!

Officially, our anniversary is in September – September 27, 2021 to be exact. It all started 25 years ago, when Barberton voters overwhelmingly supported turning an original $86 million in funds and securities from the sale of Barberton Citizens Hospital into a lasting endowment.

From this endowment, Barberton Community Foundation was created as a tax-exempt nonprofit, and the funds were permanently invested with the intent to use the interest to support grants and scholarships.  By law, a community foundation can only make grants to nonprofits, and the only individuals who may receive funds are scholarship awardees.

Our founders also wanted to make sure the monies from the sale of the hospital stayed in Barberton forever, and so crafted language in our by-laws that state we can only make grants to support nonprofits that support the residents of Barberton.

The first grant made by the Foundation was on February 2, 1997. The new Foundation Board voted to uphold their promise to the community and fund the $32 million necessary to build an entirely new facility for Barberton High School. This grant was contingent upon the citizens of Barberton approving a $32 million bond issue, which they did. Over the course of the past 25 years, this investment for the high school has saved Barberton residents $58 million in taxes.

Since its inception, and because of the interest earned from the permanently invested funds and generous contributions from donors, Barberton Community Foundation has awarded 5,263 grants to nonprofits serving our community and 3,319 scholarships to our graduates totaling more than $107million. We hope you’ll agree these 25 years have provided a great return on voter’s original investment, and we look forward to continuing our good work.

As always, the mission of Barberton Community Foundation is to strengthen the Barberton community for current and future generations by providing leadership, fostering collaboration, and creating a legacy of giving to do good.

If you want to learn more about the Foundation, visit our website at barbertoncf.org or please give us a call at 330-745-5995.

Foundation Welcomes First Director of Economic Development

Foundation Welcomes First Director of Economic Development

by | May 18, 2021 | Economic Development

Ted Herncane joins Barberton Community Foundation in June 

Dr. Suzanne Allen, Executive Director of Barberton Community Foundation, announced the Foundation will be welcoming Ted Herncane as the Foundation’s first Director of Economic Development.

“This is quite unique in the community foundation world,” Suzanne said. “This new position is possible because of the strength of the Foundation and the needs of the community. It presents an opportunity to work in greater partnership with BCDC and the City of Barberton to better focus on the challenges and possibilities with Barberton businesses.”

As the new Director of Economic Development, Ted Herncane will help the Foundation support current businesses, welcome new business, convene and facilitate conversations that leverage partnerships and investments in downtown Barberton and its corridors.

The duties outlined for the new role include:

  • planning and coordination of community and economic development projects
  • work with regional economic development associations to enhance the viability of Barberton
  • assist in the creation of economic development plans, gather research, and make recommendations to Foundation partners.

Building stronger economic development partnerships was the focus of the Foundation’s Board of Directors most recent strategic plan.

Josh Gordon, Board Chair of Barberton Community Foundation, shared that the Foundation recognizes there are real economic needs in the community, including strengthening Barberton’s tax base and attracting successful businesses. 

“The Foundation hopes this needed role will put resources and talent behind our broader goals for developing the City’s economy and will supercharge our collaborations with the City of Barberton and BCDC. Our desire is to foster partnerships that result in impactful projects, and helping a variety of businesses to discover the great culture and community we have here in Barberton.”

Ted Herncane brings almost 10 years of public and private sector economic development experience working for the City of Massillon as Community Development Director, Executive Director of the Massillon Development Foundation, and President of the Massillon WestStark Chamber of Commerce. He currently works as the Director of Business Development for CIVPRO Engineering, a civil engineering firm located in Canton.

Suzanne added, “Ted brings the professional expertise and focus necessary to this new position, and we look forward to him joining our team.”

Ted will begin his new role at Barberton Community Foundation this June.