Stark Community Foundation Celebrates Growth and Impact

January 30, 2025

2024 was another remarkable year for Stark Community Foundation, defined by incredible generosity and an opportunity to reflect on over a decade of growth. In 2024 alone, the Foundation granted $20.1 million to meaningful causes, raised $21.6 million in outright and planned gifts and established 38 new charitable funds.

Since its founding in 1963, Stark Community Foundation has experienced extraordinary growth, particularly since 2014.

“We were established as a community foundation with an initial endowment of $4.6 million,” said Mark J. Samolczyk, president and CEO of Stark Community Foundation. “Now, 62 years later, we are approaching a milestone of half a billion dollars in assets. This incredible progress is possible only because of the unwavering support of our community. As a community foundation, our strength is a direct reflection of the donors who believe in our mission and vision.”

Highlights since 2014 include:

• Raising an extraordinary $259 million in outright and planned gifts, helping to build a brighter future for Stark County and beyond.
• Granting $161 million to nonprofit organizations, contributing to a total of nearly $275 million awarded in grants since the Foundation’s inception.
• Partnering with caring individuals, businesses, nonprofits and professional advisors to establish 435 new funds, bringing the total number of charitable funds managed by the Foundation to nearly 1,000.

“Our community’s generosity continues to inspire us,” said Bridgette L. Neisel, vice president of advancement. “Year after year, we are honored to partner with people and organizations in our community to help them achieve their personal philanthropic goals and make a lasting impact. We are grateful for their support and trust and thank them for making our growth and impact possible.”

At the end of 2024, Stark Community Foundation’s assets for the betterment of the community totaled nearly $450 million. This places the Foundation among the top 10 percent of community foundations in the United States, a testament to the dedication and generosity of its donors and partners.

The Foundation celebrates not just a positive 2024 but the community’s continued generosity and partnership that have empowered Stark Community Foundation to grow and serve Stark and surrounding communities. The Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthen Stark County and beyond for generations to come.