Our Family Tree
Learn about the generous donors who have established charitable funds through Stark Community Foundation.
Stark Community Foundation and its family of donors set a new record in 2016 with $9.1 million in grants awarded to nonprofits making a difference in our community. The Foundation also raised $16 million in new and planned gifts – the third highest amount raised in its 54-year history.
“These two achievements are strong indicators of a generous community committed to strengthening Stark County and moving our community forward,” said Mark J. Samolczyk, president and CEO of Stark Community Foundation. “It’s powerful to see our donors’ passion for giving back grow year after year and the impact they are having throughout the county.”
Thanks to the generosity of over 700 individuals, families, businesses and organizations, more money was invested in 2016 in Stark County and beyond than ever before. Grants to nearly 600 nonprofits benefitted a wide array of initiatives and programs, ranging from education and infant mortality to food security and the opioid epidemic. Since the Foundation’s founding in 1963, more than $145 million in grants has been awarded to deserving nonprofits.
“Over the years, we’ve seen an increase in donors wanting to be more active in their charitable giving during their lifetimes as well as creating their lasting legacy through planned giving,” said Bridgette L. Neisel, vice president of advancement at the Foundation. “We are honored to partner with our donors to simplify their giving and strengthen their impact in support of the nonprofits and causes they care about.”
Generous gifts of $16 million were added to existing funds and created 40 new charitable funds. Of the $16 million raised in 2016, $13.5 million was in outright gifts and $2.5 million was in planned gifts, which brings Stark Community Foundation’s total assets to nearly $240 million.
As the Foundation begins 2017, it does so under new Board leadership. G. Charles Dix, II was recently appointed chair and Gregory W. Luntz was appointed vice chair. Additional Board members include business and community leaders William R. Cook, E. Lang D’Atri, Nancy S. Gessner, Karen Soehnlen McQueen, Stephen A. Perry, Gary D. Sirak and Nancy A. Varian.
About Stark Community Foundation
Stark Community Foundation is the community’s trusted partner in giving to over 700 individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits that have created charitable funds to impact the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible. Ranked in the top 10 percent of community foundations in the United States today, Stark Community Foundation is committed to serving donor needs and strategically addressing local issues. The Foundation and its family of donors have granted more than $145 million to nonprofits since 1963. Learn more at www.starkcf.org.