Current and past trustees of the Union County Foundation gathered for the annual Visionary Men & Women event at Agnone & Morrison and Associates recently, taking stock of what the organization has acoomplished.
Executive Director David Vollrath, who has been with the foundation since 2001, said the event is “an opportunity to thank them” and recognize individuals with awards.
Special guests included founders David Allen, Dan Behrens, Gary Lee, Barb Herron and Le Herron, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Vollrath also acknowledged deceased founders — Myron Gallogly, Bob Evans, Bob Lewis and Dorothy Mudgett.
UCF has 15 trustees that serve terms of 2-3 years. The local nonprofit looks forward to three new additions to the board as the terms expire for Chris Schmenk, Jim Vandre and Ron Zimmerly at the end of the year.
UCF, which was established in 1993 with roots dating back to 1953 with the Dana Morey Foundation, helps organizations and individuals with the “accumulation, investment and distribution of charitable dollars.”
During the July 22 event, Vollrath said the foundation’s assets reached a record $18.8 million. For the same period last year, the assets were roughly $12 million. When Vollrath joined the foundation two decades ago, the assets were $1.6 million and only 31 funds were housed at the foundation. Additionally, the foundation distributed $30,000 in grants in 2001.
“I believe the future continues to be bright for UCF,” Vollrath told the trustees and founders at the event. “You have heard me say before that I believe one of the signs of a vibrant, thriving community is the presence of a community foundation. The presence of a community foundation indicates that there is a culture of generosity, a culture of caring, that people are able to look beyond themselves to pay forward.
“That’s what we have here in Union County and the Union County Foundation is a big part of that mindset. So thank you for all you have done and continue to do. Please know that you are appreciated,” he continued.
According to its website, UCF gives to The Art Box, YMCA, Veterans Memorial, Memorial Hospital, Marysville Housing Inc., Community and Seasoned Citizens, Keckley Park, North Union District Veterans Memorial, FosterFriends, Veterans Remembrance Fund and various named scholarships.
Vollrath said more than 40 scholarship funds and a record 115 named funds are currently housed at UCF. As of June 30, the foundation has awarded over $205,000 of scholarships. In 2021, the online scholarship program processed nearly 900 scholarship applications.
In addition, the foundation awards several grants annually to selected community projects and agencies, such as The United Way.
The foundation has disbursed over $1.2 million in grants including fundraising expenses this year to date, Vollrath added.
Over the last 10 years, the foundation has distributed over $7.7 million to local charitable causes.
UCF was acknowledged by the Columbus Business First magazine as one of the top 25 most generous foundations in central Ohio based on annual distributions.
As of June 30, the foundation’s one-year investment return on its long-term “umbrella” portfolio, which is an asset allocation method, was 25.6%. Its three-year return was 11.27% and its five-year return was 11%.
Community members are encouraged to get involved with the Union County Foundation by volunteering at events or giving monetary donations.
UCF has two upcoming events, including the sixth annual UCF Covered Bridges Cycling Tour on Sept. 4 and the eighth annual Union County Foundation Celebration at the Catholic Community Center at 1033 W. Fifth St. on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m.
For more information about these events, visit www.unioncountyfoundation.org/.