Support and blessings

On its way to an October celebration of its 40th year, Tiffin Community Foundation has plans for several summertime events and a "$40 for 40 years" campaign. Executive Director Jodie Reinbolt said the fundraiser started when former board members Ann Gase and Susan Howard, each dropped off a check for $40 in honor of 40 years. They're hoping more people will follow suit in honor of the anniversary. "We're putting those in the unrestricted fund," Reinbolt said. "We hope to announce a nice grant." Tiffin Community Foundation was founded in 1983 by attorney Charles D. "Bud" Hering Jr. with the assistance of Warren Kahn of Fifth Third Bank. It has become a cornerstone of philanthropy and community support, fostering positive change for thousands of individuals and organizations in the area. After Bud Herring died unexpectedly, Reinbolt said Brent Howard took the box of files, designated a room in his office and hired Suzanne Donaldson as the first administrator. "They set up everything based on national standards and did a phenomenal job," she said. Reinbolt said she's been director since 2010, and the office moved in 2016 from a downtown rental space to its current office at 31 S. Washington St. "It's been fun to grow and get involved in more things all the time," she said. Reinbolt said she's now working to pass along philanthropy and nonprofit work to another generation, and she keeps track of the work nonprofit organizations are doing to determine how the foundation can help. For example, this week she learned of a Read to Succeed program at Noble 4-5 Elementary School. "Improving reading scores. I can't think of anything better to support than that," she said. Over the past four decades, Reinbolt said the foundation has grown to manage 103 funds with $30 million in assets. Through community donors, TCF has awarded $15 million in grants, scholarships and support to a wide range of causes, helping to uplift and empower individuals, families and community initiatives. In 2022, Reinbolt said the foundation dispersed more than $1 million in grants and scholarships. Since May 1 this year, she said students have received more than 70 scholarships totaling more than $100,000, which are made possible by private donors. More than $2 million in scholarships have been distributed in the last 40 years. In May, Reinbolt said four new donors who saw scholarships being granted have expressed interest in forming new scholarships. "We'll invest the money and do that for them," she said. "Whatever the donor wants." Anyone who wishes to sponsor a scholarship or contribute to a fund may do so at the office, or call 419-448-1791 for more information. Project leaders in search of funds can fill out the online application at www.tiffinfoundation.org/grant-application. "You tell me what you need and it's my job to find the (fund) that fits," she said. Remaining quarterly grant sessions for this year for the unrestricted fund are June 7, Sept. 6 and Dec. 6. The 40th-anniversary celebration will culminate Oct. 10 with a gathering at Ironwood restaurant, where community members, donors, partners and stakeholders are welcome to honor the foundation's achievements and reflect on the positive impact it has made. In advance of the October event, Reinbolt said the foundation will be sponsoring community events. The first of those will be "Kidchella" June 15 at Cherry Alley during Downtown Tiffin's Third Thursday "Fête de la Musique." The family-friendly event will encourage children to try out musical instruments, sing karaoke, experience conducting and other music-related activities. Also on the June 15 Music Day, she said Curtis King will be playing the organ at the Second United Church of Christ, 156 Jefferson St. "We want people to hear the music coming out of that church," she said. On July 15, TCF is sponsoring the East Green concert with Tiffin native Regina Sayles & Friends. The concert is to be "A Tribute to Every Child to Dream Big Dreams." Reinbolt said Sayles is inviting classmates and friends she learned to play music with to participate in the concert. "We're so excited to sponsor the show at the East Green," she said. "Regina Sayles went to school at East Junior High, and when she's standing on stage she'll be looking at the school building. We want every kid in the community to dream those big dreams." The East Junior High building is now known as East Tower. During Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival Sept. 15-17, Reinbolt said TCF and Tiffin Women in Action are planning to host an array of children's activities at JAM's Monthly Market, Madison and Jefferson streets. "They are going to be at the Heritage Festival on the lawn in front of Calvert with inflatables like last year," she said. Also, the foundation is sponsoring a visit from the Imagination Station, which is setting up in the basement of the church at Madison and Jefferson. In addition, ongoing commemorative activities are planned throughout the summer. For example, a bloody mary drink called "The Bud" has been created and can be purchased at The Renaissance in memory of Bud Hering. She said another food-related item is being created at The Deli Café and Frost Village in honor of founding board member Jane Frost Kalnow, and possibly similar ideas in honor of founding board members Gordon Wagner, Fred Sperck and Fred Corbin. "We've got some other things cooking," Reinbolt said. "People can (go) around town and remember those folks who did so much for our community." Mayor Dawn Iannantuono expressed her appreciation for the Tiffin Community Foundation in a Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership news release. "The Tiffin Community Foundation has been an invaluable partner in our community's growth and development," she said. "They have consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to improving the lives of our residents, supporting local initiatives, and fostering a strong sense of community. We congratulate them on this significant milestone and look forward to their continued positive impact in the years to come."