Defiance Area Foundation

507 Fifth Street
Defiance, Ohio 43512
Phone: (419) 782-3130
defoundation@defnet.com

 
 
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What is the Defiance Area Foundation?

The Defiance Area Foundation is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit, autonomous, publicly supported philanthropic institution. It is a collection of individual funds made up of gifts, endowed funds, and bequests from individuals, and corporations to enhance the quality of life where they live and work. These funds are pooled and invested and the income is distributed as grants. Since it is a publicly supported, tax-exempt corporation under IRS Code Sections 501(c) (3), all gifts are tax deductible.

Community foundations are the fastest growing form of philanthropy and are often the first to support new and emerging needs. The Defiance Area Foundation provides a means for addressing community problems and opportunities by maintaining a broad grant program available to charitable organizations in the Defiance County area.

 

Why was the Defiance Area Foundation established?

One man had a vision. H. Eugene Smart was a true leader and worked hard to turn his vision into a reality. His vision was to form a charitable foundation that would support programs and projects within the Defiance Community. He gathered fifteen community leaders who shared a deep commitment and interest in his undertaking. Together this group chartered the Defiance Area Foundation in 1979 with $22,000 as the beginning endowment. From its inception, the Foundation has focused on and participated in building projects and funding of programs that impact the quality of life for our citizens. The Foundation grants monies from both restricted and unrestricted funds.

Gene Smart's vision was also to gather community service agencies together under "one roof". The Gene Smart Community Service Center was dedicated May 12, 1997 and currently nine agencies have offices in this building.

 

How does the Defiance Area Foundation work?

The Defiance Area Foundation has its own Code of Regulations and is governed by a Board of Trustees. Trustees are elected from the Membership on a yearly rotating basis to conduct business of the Foundation. Membership in the Foundation is open to Defiance County residents who demonstrate a philanthropic nature and a passion for seeing their county grow and prosper. The Foundation provides an opportunity for those with a sense of community pride to turn that pride into lasting, tangible benefits for community residents. Trustees are selected for their knowledge of the community's needs, their personal achievements and community involvement. The Board oversees all grant making activities.

 

The Defiance Area Foundation is here to serve and work with our donors, their attorneys, and accountants, trust officers and other financial advisors.  These discussion of the donor's philanthropic goals are at no cost or obligation to the donor.

 

There are many ways to give to our foundation, and no gift is too small to make a difference in our community.  Gifts can be made to any current fund or the donor may create a named fund with a minimum gift of $5,000.

 

Please contact The Defiance Area Foundation for more information.  Together we can enhance and enrich the quality of life for the citizens of our area.

 

Download Annual Report
(PDF format)

OFFICERS - 2011/2012
President - Joe Howard
Vice President - Mike Steyer
Secretary - Terry Melton
Treasurer - William Koester
Past President - Chad Peter
 
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Christine (Hubbard) Yoder
 
MARKETING/ADMINISTRATIVE
Heather Baughman
 
COMMITTEES
Executive - Joseph Howard, Chair
Donor Development - Mike Klein, Chair
Facilities - Joseph Howard, Chair
Finance - William Koester, Chair
Grants Review - Mike Steyer, Chair
Marketing - Beth Sigg, Chair
Scholarship -
 

TRUSTEES (includes Officers listed above)

2012 2013 2014
Jeff Fogt
Mark Klein
Lucy (Weaver) Marckel
Steve Boomer
Linda Brose
Mickey Schwarzbek
Beth Sigg
Todd Harpest
Gary Konst
Jay Hanson
Anne Murray
Mike Klein
Steve Snavely
 

MEMBERS

John Boesling
Kathy Boff
Steve Boomer
Kenneth Boroff
Linda Brose
Debbie Dean
Bob DeLeon
Dan Farrell
Don Fee
Jeffrey Fogt
Jon Gathman
Bea Gonzales-NE
Steve Grosenbacher
Steve Grube
Bruce Guilford
Jay Hanson
Todd Harpest
Lea Ann Hayes
Eric Hench
Mark Hench
Joseph Howard
Keith Hubbard
Tom Hubbard
John Jacob
Ken Keller
Pat King
Rita Kissner
Mark Klein
Mike Klein
William Koester
Gary Konst
Craig Kuhlman
Glenn Kuhn
Martha Mallott
Lucy (Weaver) Marckel
Rod Martin
Kevin McDonald
Terry Melton
Mark Moats
Jerry Monnin
Anne Murray
Philip O’Donnell
Kieu Okuley
Sue O’Neil
Mike Osborne
Jerry Overmier
Ted Penner
Chad Peter
Greg Reineke
Jim Rensi
Jim Rohrs
Eric Rolf
Tom Sauer
Jim Schmidt
Mickey Schwarzbek
Doug Shindler
Beth Sigg
Bill Small
Chris Smitley
Steve Snavely
Duane Steyer
Michael Steyer
Michael Stone
Jeff Strausbaugh
Sam Strausbaugh
Karen Tubbs
Steve VanDemark
Jack Wahl
Steve Walker
J. Michael Walz
Marc Warncke
Kathy Warner
John Weaner
Tim Whetstone
Bud Williams
Jim Williams
Larry Woods
Chris (Hubbard) Yoder
Randy Yoder
Diane Ziegler
 

AMBASSADORS

Charles Bailey
Leona Bailey
Cindy Beane
Martha Bleeks
Randall Buchman
Barb Callan
Jim Gillis
Harold Hahr
Jan Hersh
Craig Hoffman
Jim Meier
Web Olson
Mary Reeves
Fred Schultz
Joe Steyer
Don VanBrackel
 
 
 
 
Defiance Area Foundation

Defiance Area Foundation
507 Fifth Street - Defiance, Ohio 43512