Dr. Suzanne Allen Announces Retirement

Dr. Suzanne Allen Announces Retirement

by | Jan 24, 2023 | Announcements

Dr. Suzanne Allen

Dr. Suzanne Allen

Dr. Suzanne Allen Announces Retirement

Barberton Community Foundation announced today that Dr. Suzanne Allen, executive director, will be retiring at the end of March 2023. The Board of Directors will appoint Tiffany Peters, currently director of finance, as interim executive director effective April 1, 2023.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of the Foundation, we want to thank Suzanne for her leadership over the past four years, and for her dedication to our mission,” said Jason Slater, Barberton Community Foundation Board of Director’s chair. “She has been a steadfast and strategic leader, and we wish her well in her retirement.”

Dr. Allen joined Barberton Community Foundation in March 2019 after serving for many years as the President and CEO of Philanthropy Ohio, a statewide membership organization serving funders. Now, after a career of nearly 40 years working in nonprofit and academic communities, she will continue to support the work of the Foundation as needed in a part-time capacity and will continue to be invested in the Foundation’s mission and its long-term success.

“I am grateful for the trust the Foundation’s Board of Directors placed in me and I am equally grateful for the staff, the friends of the foundation, our many donors and grant partners,” said Dr. Allen. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve the Barberton community as executive director at Barberton Community Foundation.”

Foundation Board Hosts Annual Meeting

Foundation Board Hosts Annual Meeting

by | Jan 24, 2023 | Board

Foundation Board Holds Annual Meeting 

Barberton Community Foundation’s Board of Directors met at the Barberton Public Library for their annual meeting on January 19, 2023.

The Foundation has three exiting board members: Josh Gordon, past chair, Denny Liddle and Brett Haverlick. Jason Slater, board chair, thanked the outgoing board members for their service to the Foundation. “I can’t thank you enough for your time, expertise and commitment to the Foundation. You all have made such a contribution to the good work being done here.”

The Foundation swore in the 2023 slate of officers. Jason Slater will continue in his role as chair of the board, with Lynne Holcomb serving as vice chair, Jennifer Bidlingmyer serving as treasurer and Deb Shreiner serving as secretary. 

The board welcomed four new members: Ann Hutchison, Hugh McMichael, Theresa Osborne and Susan Wynn. Each member agreed to serve an initial three-year term with the Foundation.

The first grant cycle for Education and Workforce & Economic Development closes Wednesday, February 1. Scholarships for high school students opened Friday, January 13 and will close Monday, February 13. Students seeking scholarships and nonprofits interested in applying for grants should utilize the Foundation’s new application portal GOapply available at barbertoncf.org. The Foundation also announced a first round of funding is available for the Downtown Building Rehabilitation Program and the Economic Development Assistance Program, with a deadline to apply by Monday, February 13.

Swearing in of 2023 officers

Josh Gordon swears in officers

Josh Gordon accepts his award from Jason Slater

Jason Slater swears in new board members

Jason Slater presents an award to Brett Haverlick

Denny Liddle receives his award from Jason Slater

2023 officers of the Board of Directors

2023 new board members

Economic Development and Downtown Rehabilitation Funding Available

Economic Development and Downtown Rehabilitation Funding Available

by | Jan 18, 2023 | Announcements, Economic Development

New funding available: Economic Development and Downtown Rehabilitation Programs

In the summer of 2022, in partnership with BCDC, the Barberton Community Foundation launched two new programs to support businesses in Barberton, the Economic Development Assistance Program (EDAP) and the Downtown Barberton Rehabilitation Program (DBRP). The first round of funding for both programs was highly successful with businesses able to expand, purchase equipment, renovate buildings and establish new businesses.

With support from the Foundation, BCDC granted $99,714 to eight new businesses through the Economic Development Assistance Program and $146,609 to seven downtown property owners through the Downtown Barberton Rehabilitation Program. Read more about the success of the initial round of funding.

New for 2023

The Foundation has agreed to expand the available funding, and to create two funding periods for applicants. The first round of funding opens Tuesday, January 17, with an application deadline of Monday, February 13 at 4:30 p.m.

If you are a resident of Barberton, own a business in Barberton or are interested in moving your business to Barberton, or own property in Barberton’s historic district, you may qualify for one of these programs.

View applications and detailed program descriptions >>

 

Ted Herncane

Ted Herncane

Director of Economic Development

Contact Ted Herncane with any questions about the Economic Development Assistance Program, Downtown Building Rehabilitation Program or scholarship to Bounce Innovation Hub.

P: 330-745-5995 

Email: therncane@barbertoncf.org

Example of Economic Development Assistance Program (EDAP) – Big Mike’s Automotive purchased four scissor lifts with their funding and plans to hire four more technicians. (L-R) Michael and Felicia Cowans, with their daughters Lydia and Alexis, and VP John Prouty.

2023 Scholarships Open

2023 Scholarships Open

by | Jan 11, 2023 | Announcements, Scholarships

Scholarships open Friday, January 13

Barberton Community Foundation, in partnership with Barberton High School, opens scholarship applications on Friday, January 13, 2023. Scholarships will close at 8 a.m. on Monday, February 13, 2023.

Scholarships are open to both Barberton High School seniors and resident students. Below are some details about the application process, what students can expect, and how to apply.

To start an application, students should create an account in our GOapply system.

Visit https://goapply2.akoyago.com/barbertoncf/ and register as an “individual” to access the scholarship application. Once an account is created, students can click through the “submissions” and “opportunities” pages. In GOapply, students can save drafted applications, write essays, preview scholarships they are eligible for, submit and monitor completed applications.

For student applicants:

It is important that information is accurate, as there is only one application for all scholarships, with a tailored list of eligible scholarships based on the information provided by the student.

To complete the application, be prepared to provide:

  • Standard student activities and college information
  • Combined annual family income
  • SAR (Student Aid Report) from your completed 2023 FASFA
  • Unweighted GPA and weighted GPA from your transcript
  • ACT score
  • Student transcript
  • Two teacher evaluations – student provides the teacher’s email

GOapply login

Be sure to click the “eligible scholarships” tab before submitting. This is where students will find any additional requirements a scholarship might have, such as an essay or letters of recommendation.

Some scholarships will require interviews. These will be scheduled after the application period closes on February 13. Final notification of awards will be made in April.

All questions should be directed to Carrie Herman, Director of Community Impact, Barberton Community Foundation at cherman@barbertoncf.org or call 330-745-5995.

Scholarships at the Foundation:

In 2022, Barberton Community Foundation awarded $127,800 through 79 scholarships to 57 Barberton students. The total value of the Foundation’s multi-year awards is $290,000.

Barberton Community Foundation holds more than 30 scholarships, some created by donors who want to help Barberton residents fulfill their dreams of post-secondary/ higher education. Other scholarships have been created by businesses or organizations who have the same vision. 

New Scholarship Honors Memory of Barberton Pharmacist

New Scholarship Honors Memory of Barberton Pharmacist

by | Jan 10, 2023 | Fund, Scholarships

Walt Ritzman Scholarship Fund

Barberton Community Foundation is proud to announce a new fund: the Walt Ritzman Scholarship Fund established on November 9, 2022, by Donna Keim and her son, Mike Keim.

Donna and Walt ran the Barberton Health Clinic for more than 20 years, and she remembers his passion for helping those in need. “He always believed in helping the underserved,” she said. “He gave, that is what he did.”

Walt Ritzman passed away on November 1, 2011, and his legacy in Barberton includes running and growing the Ritzman Pharmacy chain, serving as a trustee at Barberton Citizens Hospital and then serving as an inaugural board member of Barberton Community Foundation. He also sponsored school sports teams and volunteered during the Mum Festival.

Donna says that one of Walt’s greatest passions was working at the Barberton Community Health Clinic to help the underprivileged and uninsured in Barberton. Walt had established an endowed fund at the Foundation to benefit the clinic in 2001. With the closure of the clinic, the purpose of the fund needed to change.

Mike explained, “When the clinic closed, the fund was still active. The Board of Directors approved of a new purpose for the fund which will further Walt’s contribution to the community and honor his legacy as a pharmacist and philanthropist by creating a scholarship in his name.”

“Walt believed that we needed more pharmacists. The Foundation will use the fund to further the educational goals of any Barberton High School graduate who wishes to become a pharmacist and attend Walt’s alma mater of Ohio Northern University or attend The Ohio State University.”

To support the Walt Ritzman Scholarship Fund, call 330-745-5995, or address your check to 460 W. Paige Ave. Barberton, OH 44203, with the Walt Ritzman Scholarship in the memo line. Donations can also be made online through our secure giving platform, Qgiv.

An Outstanding Citizen

Walt Ritzman received the Outstanding Citizen award during the Foundation’s 2003 Community Recognition Dinner.