History of the Ashland County Community Foundation

In the early 1990's, the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce undertook a major study to answer the question: "What would make Ashland County a better place?" The primary conclusion of that study was the idea of creating a county-wide community foundation for the purpose of establishing a philanthropic exchange between a community of donors and worthy organizations and individual recipients.

Efforts were thus begun to form a community foundation. In late 1995, with help from several other local 501(c)(3) organizations such as the Ashland Family YMCA, Hospice of North Central Ohio, and the Ashland County Cancer Association, the Ashland County Community Foundation was formed. These organizations each placed their endowments with the ACCF.

Next, a volunteer Board of Trustees and President were chosen. Each Trustee and the President placed either $10,000 in cash or $50,000 in deferred annuities with the ACCF. Funding was in place. Office space was then donated. The offices were located in the First Presbyterian Church in Ashland.

Major Milestones

In 2000 ACCF received notification that the annual Hazel Myers Spreng Fund distribution, invested by the prestigious Cleveland Foundation. This became another piece in the ACCF grants program. Two years later, nearly $200,000 in funds were distributed from this fund.

In 2002 ACCF made a "leap of faith" to purchase the Huntington Bank branch building on College Avenue in Ashland.

A campaign, aptly named the "Time of Opportunity Campaign" was begun in late 2000 and ran through the end of the calendar year in December of 2002. Funds raised not only covered the purchase of the building but provided ample supplemental funds to further improve and endow the building. This lovely building gives the ACCF a permanent home to serve the county "for generations to come."

Today: A Growing Community Presence

The ACCF has built its strength over the years by adding many endowments and benefactors. Currently, gifts to the foundation total over eight million dollars. The ACCF continues to work with families, individuals, estates, financial planners, and attorneys to design gift plans that fit every economic situation. This ensures that donors receive the most benefit from their charitable contributions and their philanthropic dollars are used to the fullest extent.