VILLAGE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES THAT FUNDING IS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS

The Village Foundation is accepting requests for funds to be donated for specific projects of local civic and non-profit organizations. Proposals are due Monday, April 18, 2011 and awards will be given Tuesday, May 31, 2011. Awards may range from $500-$5,000.

The Foundation is interested in projects or programs that improve the quality of life in Bay Village. Projects must be responsive to community needs. Support for program development, capacity building, capital projects and equipment requests will also be considered. Reporting requirements from previous awards must be met before the Village Foundation will consider a subsequent funding application.

The Village Foundation Announces Annual Campaign.

A letter has been sent to every family in Bay Village asking each household to make a donation this year, no
matter how small, to demonstrate support for the many projects being planned for the village. Due to a slight mix-
up some early letters were returned to the sender. We are asking donors that may have experienced this, to re-
send a contribution to: The Village Foundation, Box 14022, Bay Village, Ohio 44140 . Contributions can also be
made on line at: www.thevillagefdn.org. Questions or comments contact us at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mission Statement

The Village Foundation is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) corporation dedicated to preserving the quality of life in Bay Village, Ohio, using the talents and resources of the private citizens and non-government funding.

The Village Foundation exists to provide support for projects and programs fostering Bay Village’s historical, cultural, social, and educational heritage. Through The Village Foundation, its citizens and businesses are encouraged to perpetuate the traditions that make Bay Village a special place to live and work.

The Foundation of a Foundation

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).

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.

Dick Martin knew how to build and manage an organization. He served in that capacity until 2005 when he stepped down to become President Emeritus. Keith Ashmus, who was part of the Charter group of volunteers, became president in 2005 and he served until 2007 when the Board elected current president, Eileen Vernon also a Charter member to serve as the third president of the Board.