Our Family Tree
Learn about the generous donors who have established charitable funds through Stark Community Foundation.
30 charitable funds were established through Stark Community Foundation from October 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026.
Donor Advised Fund
Attorney Richard W. Arnold established a family foundation to support meaningful causes in the community. In the future, the foundation will be passed down to his children—Richard, Andrew, Chelsea, Christian and Chandler—to continue their family’s legacy of giving and service.
Donor Advised Fund
Jeff and Cassie Bailey, along with daughters, Vanessa and Michaela, started the Bailey Family Fund to continue their family’s longtime charitable endeavors and to help support local charitable causes.
Scholarship Fund
Organization Endowment Fund
The Association of Church Sports and Recreation Ministries (CSRM) established an endowment fund as part of its long-term financial strategy to ensure sustained support to train, equip and resource local churches to build bridges in their communities using sport, recreation and fitness.
Designated Fund
This fund was established by the family of Julio C. Diaz, a member St. Thomas Aquinas High School’s first graduating class in 1968, who died in 2004 at the age of 53. The Diaz family immigrated to the United States in 1962 and were among the first Cuban refugees in Canton, Ohio. Julio went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from The University of Akron and pursued a professional engineering career in Canton and Houston, Texas. In honor and memory of Julio’s life, his family established this fund in recognition of the support they received from the Canton community as Cuban refugees and to reflect their deep-rooted connection to Catholic education. Julio’s sisters, Beatriz Diaz Schinness and Margarita Diaz Kintz, were both graduates of Central Catholic High School. Each year, scholarships in Julio’s name support graduating seniors of Central Catholic High School who demonstrate strong academic achievement and financial need.
Donor Advised Fund
The Ryan JJ Godbey Memorial Fund was created in loving memory of Ryan JJ Godbey, whose life was defined by compassion, acceptance and the unwavering belief that every person deserves to feel seen, valued and supported. Grants in Ryan’s name support individuals of all backgrounds, identities and life experiences, honoring his belief that care should never be limited. More specifically, funding strengthens programs that offer encouragement and emotional support to people facing hardship, create safe and welcoming spaces where everyone can belong, empower individuals to express themselves with confidence and uplift those in need.
Donor Advised Fund
Designated Fund
Rollie and Frankie Layfield created a charitable foundation to provide ongoing support for Kent State University’s Army ROTC program and to award scholarships to graduating seniors at Central Catholic High School, as well as senior football players at Perry High School and Washington High School.
Donor Advised Fund
Designated Fund
The Needham-Pitz Scholarship Fund honors the legacy of Mary Needham-Pitz, a dedicated educator who spent her career serving the Perry Local School District, teaching at Lohr and Reedurban schools before retiring. Established through her estate, the fund carries forward Mary’s passion for education by providing scholarship support to Perry High School seniors.
Donor Advised Fund
Shannon Ortiz, a behavioral health professional and suicide loss survivor, created a family foundation to support causes that matter most to their family, including providing compassionate care and resources to others on their journey of hope and healing. The foundation will eventually be stewarded by Shannon’s children, Zoey and Eva, to continue their family’s legacy of making a positive difference in people’s lives.
Designated Fund
Longtime supporters of Olympic-style shooting, Thomas and Margaret Paumier created a charitable fund to invest in organizations that align with their passions and values. Each year, their fund provides support to the Midway USA Foundation for Minerva and Akron rifle teams, Siffrin, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Canton Central Catholic High School and the University of Akron’s varsity rifle team.
Designated Fund
Educator Mary Needham-Pitz established the Pitz Scholarship Fund through her estate in honor of her late husband, Donald Pitz. Donald, a 1946 graduate of Canal Fulton High School, maintained a lifelong connection to the Northwest School District after the Canal Fulton and Clinton school districts merged to form Northwest. His three daughters and seven grandchildren later became graduates of the district. Each year, the fund provides scholarship support to Northwest High School seniors, reflecting both Donald’s enduring ties to the community and Mary’s commitment to education.
Field of Interest Fund
Roy Rada, a distinguished professor emeritus of information systems at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, created a charitable fund to support Stark County organizations that promote technologically proficient problem solving through science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Driven by a lifelong passion for advancements in artificial intelligence, he hopes to inspire and nurture that same love of learning in future generations.
Designated Fund
Carrollton natives Tom and Laura Rutledge created a charitable fund to expand access to education and career opportunities for local individuals. Each year, their fund provides scholarship support to Workforce Investment Council for Carroll County residents who are unemployed, underemployed or seeking re-training or further education.
Donor Advised Fund
Eric Schreiber, a partner of 415 Group, established a charitable fund to strategically support charitable organizations locally and beyond. In time, the fund will be entrusted to his children––Meredith, Abigail, Grace and Kathryn––to continue their family’s commitment to giving back to the community.
Donor Advised Fund
To preserve Jackson’s memory after his second battle with cancer, his family established the Spinnin’ with Jackson Charitable Fund. Even during his final stay in the ICU, Jackson’s kindness never wavered—he shared gum with doctors and nurses and made sure the other children on his floor had toys to brighten their days. Spinnin’ with Jackson continues his generous spirit by providing kids with a toy topper/ spinner to help them take their minds off their situation, even if only for a moment, just as it did for Jackson. Support also includes meals for the families of those children in the hospital. Through this charitable fund, Jackson’s kind soul continues to touch the lives of others.
Donor Advised Fund
Jeff and Laurie Tucker created a charitable fund to support the causes most meaningful to them. In the future, their daughters—Jessica and Hannah— will advise the fund and carry forward their family’s tradition of giving back.
Donor Advised Fund
Michael and Susan (Dalsky) Warne created a charitable fund to reflect their deep appreciation for the community they call home and the organizations that strengthen it. Their fund will one day be stewarded by their three children—Katelyn, Robert and Eric—to continue their family’s tradition of thoughtful giving and community engagement.
Thank you to the following advisors for referring their clients to establish funds at Stark Community Foundation during the past quarter:
Susan Clark Chaddock, Clark Clark & Chaddock
Rich Craig, 415 Group
Working together, we helped these clients achieve their charitable goals and make a meaningful impact in our community.