This is a story about a foundation that comes to the rescue says Board member Jon Loufman. The story begins in 1995 when a group of civic minded volunteers established a fund to help the city build a playground.  The project was called, Play in Bay. The playground was completed by the cooperative efforts of non-profit organizations that came together to see the project through to completion. Seeing this collaborative effort succeed, a small group decided to see what they could do to develop a community fund that would be there when another project like Play in Bay emerged.  Under the leadership of T. Richard (Dick) Martin, they began to think about creating one organization to which all the others could look for financial help. So they set about making their dream a reality.  It took several years and many volunteer hours but they did it.  That fund is now called The Village Foundation. (Hereafter The Foundation).

As with all not for profit groups, the legal status of the group must be recognized by federal and state laws. In 1998 the federal government granted The Foundation 501 (3)(c) not for profit status, and shortly thereafter the state of Ohio granted the organization tax exempt status.  Later in 1998, in his annual letter to the citizens of Bay, then President of City Council, Dick Martin stated, “The Village Foundation is not administered or funded by the city of Bay Village. All of its income and expenditures are covered by tax- deductible contributions made directly to the Village Foundation.”  In the meantime the board worked to gain public recognition.  The trustees developed ideas, objectives, by-laws and a mission statement that describes the goals and aspirations of the Foundation.  (see above) .

In this historical account we will discuss in order :trustees, funding, project grants, student involvement and scholarships. We will also discuss some specific projects that have been supported and completed by civic groups taking advantage of the pooled resources.

Trustees.  The founding group named Dick Martin President and Gary Ebert, Tom Jelepis, Bonnie Hunt and Wayne Reese as the executive committee.  In time, new board members were nominated and accepted. Most of the early board consisted of Charter Members(see list below).  Since that time, the rest of the board members were recommended to the board by sitting trustees.   Short biographies, accomplishments and references were presented to the nominating committee and then to the board for approval by the whole board. From the beginning, three students were invited to serve. This selection is made on the recommendation to the Board by the superintendent of Bay High School.  Most serve two years beginning as a junior and remaining on the board until he/she graduates.  Each year a junior is added to the board so that there is continuity.  Currently, there are 24 members of the Board, not including three high school students, four emeritus members; and,  two honorary trustees, Del Donahoo and Brad Friedel.  A list of current board of trustees is attached. Emeritus members of the Board are those who have served for ten years or  more and who are on the list of Charter Members. They are Donald Zwilling, Peter Comodeca, Keith Ashmus and of course, T. Richard Martin.

Funding.  For any permanent group to survive and grow, the basic capital has to be raised. The start up capital for The Foundation came from an appeal to the community at large, Board members and those who participated in the early activities. Each was asked to contribute $500 before the end of the year in 1998.  These donors are listed as Charter Members. (attached)

 In 2003 Mayor Debra Sutherland donated half of the proceeds from the Mayor’s Ball to The Foundation.  This donation, coupled with the contributions made by the Charter Members increased the invested capital and the bottom line of The Foundation. These early funds are invested conservatively. From the beginning of the idea to fruition, the trustees strove to created stability and permanency for the growing organization.  To this end, the members of the Board insisted upon the development of strong fiscal accountability and shared responsibility. So as to grow the capital, the trustees decided that it would not send out an application for funds or make any grants only after it had accumulated $100,000.  Notwithstanding the earlier contribution for defibrrilators.

Up until 2003, many Bay Village residents had never heard or read anything about The Foundation. The first event was the Mayor’s Ball calling for half of the proceeds to go to the new group, and, secondly two well attended events served to raise awareness of the groups existence.  The second event was a dinner to honor soccer star, Brad Freidel, the internationally known Bay High graduate. The third event was a dinner honoring founder T. Richard (Dick) Martin. Attendance at these functions was greater than expected. Press coverage and word of mouth effectively brought the name of The Foundation to the public eye.

Later as a group, the trustees chose to assist others with their projects rather than initiate fund raising projects themselves. Most of the community events or activities require a large amount of time, effort, and planning to complete the projects. It was thought that this type of fundraising was better left to the civic groups that have the man and woman power to carry out such tasks.  These civic groups count upon fundraising events to support their projects. Besides raising funds for various groups the events themselves enrich the village just by virtue of being there to entertain or enjoy. Instead of competing with the very groups The Foundation wants to help, there is one single mail campaign usually done at year’s end. This mail campaign asks every resident of Bay Village to contribute no matter how small the amount. The money collected each year creates a pool of funds to support and augment projects that are being done by other civic groups.

As a further step to assure financial stability, The Foundation entered into a partnership with the renowned Cleveland Foundation by depositing some of the start-up money into a donor directed account. The Foundation always has access to these funds if needed. By having such a fund The Foundation can take advantage of the resources and expertise of a much larger organization. The Cleveland Foundation invests in a larger pool of assets. This can lead to greater growth, greater income, and lower investment fees.  The Cleveland Foundation is responsible for the general fund administration of that account, including oversight, accounting, and all financial reporting. 
 
Another word about the benefit of having a fund at the Cleveland Foundation is the opportunity to use the service provided to the trustees to advise and encourage strong money management.  Potential donors who are considering making or leaving gifts to The Foundation may ask for the support and advice of their experienced advisors.  Staff from The Cleveland Foundation will provide assistance to potential donors in structuring the gift to the benefit of all parties. This assistance is available free of charge as a part of the agreement. Bay residents who have friends and family pass away are encouraged to designate contributions be made in honor of that person. This type of donation can be made  to The Village Foundation directly; or, to The Cleveland Foundation to be applied to The (Bay) Foundation account. Information regarding this type of a donation can be found on the web site mentioned above.  www.thevillagefnd.org

Specific Projects Supported.  
When we started this historical account, we quoted board member Loufman as saying we are a group that comes to the rescue.  To illustrate this point, in 2000, The Foundation had its first request for funds before they had acquired  substantial capital and before the trustees established standards.  A more perfect example of how a Foundation is seen as ‘coming to the rescue’ can’t be found.  That  is this story about Jody Schneider, a 2000 graduate of Bay High. 

There had been several deaths among young school athletes that year and Jody decided to do something about it. She set out to raise money to put defibrillators in the Bay schools.  She came to the Village Foundation board meeting to personally ask for assistance in purchasing the defibrillators.  Her efforts were so admired by the trustees that they decided to provide the funds. The Foundation does not give money to individuals, so it gave the money to Bay High School to purchase two of the defibrillators. Little did the trustees or Jody know at the time that she was the catalyst to a bigger benefit to the community.   
Clint Keener, Board member and Bay High School superintendent says, "Jody's work was a gift to the whole community- not just for the students- but for many community groups that use the school buildings.” After purchasing and installing the defibrillators, Keener said that Bay High was later awarded funds from the American Heart Association to expand the program and to add additional devices.  The money that was raised by Jody and the contribution made by the Village Foundation jump-started the life-saving project. It is good to know that there are defibrillators that are ready to figuratively and literally ‘come to the rescue’ of anyone needing such help

Through the years, The Foundation has been here to recognize our community's special needs like this one; and, we're here to "come to the rescue" on other fronts as well.  Board member Jon Loufman put it well when he said, “We may be a small town but we have a great foundation with a deeply heartfelt desire to help our community”.
It took nearly four more years but in 2004 the first call went out for proposals to civic groups asking for additional funds for grants and scholarships to the community. Today, The Foundation’s web page contains the process and the qualifications needed to qualify and be considered for funding.

With $100,000 in capital, the Trustees began funding projects.  For example, by contributing the money towards the purchase of the defibrillators mentioned above, the Board demonstrated how a small contribution from pooled resources can blossom into a huge success.  Contributors are able to see the results of their donations first hand.

 In 2004, the first grant went to the Bay Village Historical Society. The Society appealed to the Board for help with a special project.  They were interested in the repair of the fencing around the historical cemetery on Lake Road.  They had raised most of the funds but needed just enough to complete the project.  The Foundation responded to the request and made a grant that allowed the group to complete the project.  In succeeding years, more grants were made, another example of the efficacy of pooling resources, the PTA, parents and teachers from Westerly school, requested and received funds to complete a permanent all-weather walk-way around the school for use by students who for various reasons can not take gymnastics.

Bay Arts, formerly Baycrafters, made several proposals and received fund for projects. The Foundation first awarded a grant to Baycrafters for operating funds in 2004; and, for the construction of safer steps at the entrance of the caboose in Huntington Reservation in 2007.  In 2008, Bay Arts requested and received funds to complete a landscaping project for the first phase of a plan for several gardens on the Huntington Park grounds. The PTA requested and received enough funds in two separate proposals to complete the art display in the rotunda of the new middle school.  The board agreed to provide some start-up funds for the proposed Bay skate park; and, in 2007 a contribution was made towards the ‘Field of Dreams’ sports complex at Bay High School. Groups may apply for support multiple times and may request funds for more that one project. In reference to scholarships, the application process  is available to any senior in high school student regardless of the high school attended so long as he/she lives in Bay Village.

Student Interest.  The future belongs to the young people.  Where better to learn the perceived wants and needs of the future than from our own young adults who will be living it? The trustees want to hear their ideas.  To this end, The Foundation asks students to voice their ideas in two ways, first by the active participation as a voting Trustee. The second way to get young people involved is to ask them to apply for one of two scholarships that are awarded to the seniors each year. The selection is based upon an essay that expresses the most creative ideas for community betterment. So long as the idea fits The Foundation’s mission statement.  Looking back, it was most fitting that the first grant approved from the community funds was made to a Bay High School student on a plea for defibrillators. 

Scholarships: To qualify for these scholarships the students are asked to provide a transcript of their grades demonstrating academic success; this is to write a two part essay. The first part describes the student’s idea of  the most creative way to improve and preserve the community in the future; and,  the second part is the student describes the type of community volunteer service that he/she engaged in while growing up in Bay.   The completed application is then given to the guidance department where any identifying information is removed and a number is attached to the packet. The application is then submitted to the Foundation for review.

Next, the scholarship committee reviews the essays and selects the student based on three platforms: academic success, service to the community, and, what is judged the most creative idea for the improvement or maintenance of the quality of life Bay Village.  The scholarship committee then presents its findings to the full Board as a whole for approval. After the students are selected, the winners are announced on the awards day at the school.

Bronze Plaques of Honor: The Foundation is partially funded by contributions for bronze plaques engraved in memory of, or in honor of, individuals from Bay Village living or dead.  The engraved plaques are installed by the city on the walking path footbridge in Cahoon Memorial Park.  In the president’s annual letter, 2001, Founder, Dick Martin said, “…we have completed the Cahoon Memorial Bridge site…Citizens of Bay Village are invited to memorialize and/or honor a loved one or friend by reserving a bronze plaque by making a $2500 gift to the Village Foundation.”  Each plaque is permanently installed and the person so honored is remembered on each and every Memorial Day in a lovely program near the footbridge.  In 2005 the city re-named the walking path, the T. Richard Martin Walking Trail.

Today the Village Foundation is a fully developed not-for-profit entity that meets six times a year on the second Thursday of the month beginning each January.  One can find general information about The Foundation on the web site. There, interested persons can get applications for grants or scholarships, review financials and annual reports, and read a list of current Board members. In addition, there is a link to the Cleveland Foundation should the person wish to take advantage of the services offered there.

 Notes on T. Richard Martin:

Mr. Martin is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin.

Today, Mr. Martin is retired. He lives in Bay Village the city he loves with his wife, Betsy.  Martin’s sharp focus and his confidence in the future success of the fledgling group served to balance what had to be, at first, a skeptical group of citizens.  Dick’s overriding dream was to provide a forum to listen and place value on individual ideas that might blossom into new and original ways to meet the needs of the community.

Keith & Marie Ashmus
Peter, Marilyn & Peter II Comodeca
The George W. Codington Charitable Foundation
Sonia Coulton Family In Memory of Richard Coulton
The Curtiss Family
Gary & Pam Ebert
Lute & Susan Harmon
The Hasting Family
Jim & Bonnie Hunt
Jim & Peggy Joyce
Dr. & Mrs. Clay Kelly
Dick & Betsy Martin In Memory of John Parker, James Cowles and Dale Smith
John & Patricia Matyas In Memory of John & Margaret Matyas
Craig & Patricia McAllester
Tim & Mary McManamon
James & Joyce Mraz
John O’Neill, Bradley Bay Health Center
Mr. & Mrs. William Oatey
Anonymous Donor
Jim & Judy Potter
Capt. & Mrs. Donald Ramsden
James & Elizabeth Redinger
Wayne & Jeanne Reese
Peter & Bonnie Rekstis
The Sutherland Family & Friends In Memory of John R. Livingston
Donald & Eileen Vernon
Ian & Barbara Woodburn
Denny & Janice Woods
Don and Denise Zwilling In Memory of Rev. Francis B. Zwilling