These donors have generously established funds for unrestricted grant making in Mercer County.  This enables the Civic Foundation Board of Directors to administer a grant program in Mercer County that responds to the ever changing needs of the community.  The Board has completediscretion over how these funds are used for grant making.

Walter & Aileen Bernard Fund (2000)
Ralph E. Heffner Fund (1977)
Henry & Louise Drake Fund (1978)
George G. Ester Jetter Fund (1993)
Gertrude Einfalt Fund (1993)
Trenary-Andrews Fund (1979)
Clista & Hugo Fahncke Fund (1993)
Edward & Marcella Werling Fund (2000)
Riley Memorial Fund (1999)
John & Ruth Houts Fund (2007)

Field of Interest Funds

These funds make grants in a particular field of interest chosen by the donor, such as health issues or programs benefiting children.

Dr. John & Mary Hattery Fund (1977)
The fund originally provided grants for physician recruitment, and now makes grants for health related needs to various charitable organizations.

Russell & Hannah Hattery Life Care Fund (1991)
The fund makes grants to local agencies for a wide variety of human needs, including food, shelter, and clothing                                                                     Return to Top

Designated Funds

Established for the benefit of a particular charity or a specific charitable use.  Each year a grant from the fund – either a percentage of the fund asset of a specific dollar amount – is given to the named charitable organization.

Celina-Coldwater Bikeway Fund (1986)
Helps to provide maintenance funds for the Celina-Coldwater bike path.

Boost the Park Fund (1999)
Established for improvements to Coldwater Park.

Boost the Park (Land Acquisition Fund) ????
Also for the benefit of Coldwater Park, this fund is held specifically for park land purchases.

Ila Mae Rice Fund (1997)
This fund was established as a memorial honoring Ila Mae, a client at Cheryl Ann programs.  Distributions are directed to Cheryl Ann Programs for the benefit of people with mental retardation or developmental disabilities.

4-H Camp Fund (1997)
Benefits the 4-H Camp in Mercer County

William & Patsy Dawson UMC Fund (2001)
Established by the Dawson’s to benefit St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Celina

Celina Community Promotional Fund (1995)
Accepts gifts from many entities in support of the Governor’s Cup Regatta each year.

Mercer County Crippled Children/Adults Fund (2002)
Established with the proceeds from the Crippled Children’s Society, the fund makes grants to a local agency for the medical needs of the handicapped and mentally disabled.

Mercer County 4-H Fund (1989)
Established to benefit the 4-H Program in Mercer County for their activities, speakers, and seminar scholarships

Mercer County Historical Society Fund (1989)
The Historical Society, located in Celina at the Riley House, receives a grant each year for the benefit of the museum, including programs, acquisitions, and publications.

Mercer County Historical Society Maintenance Fund (2008)
Established for the maintenance of the building.

Robert & Addie Riley (2008)
This endowed fund will be used by the Mercer County Historical Society for their operations.

Hannah Hattery Fund (1993)
Established in honor of Hannah Hatter.  The fund makes a disbursement that is divided between two local clubs, the Altrurian Club and the American Legion Auxiliary, for their programs. 

Homer Yaney Funds (1977)
Established by local resident Homer Yaney, the four Yaney Funds benefit each of the following organizations:
Mercer County Heart Association
Mercer County Crippled Children & Adults
Tri-County Health Fund
Mercer County Red Cross Chapter

Elizabeth Kable Crippled Children Fund (1982)
A bequest began this fund, which originally made a yearly gift to the Crippled Children’s Society (Now the Mercer County Crippled Children/Adults Fund, above).

Long Range Fairground Improvements Fund (1999)
This fund accepts gifts from businesses and individuals for continuing improvements to the Mercer County Fairground.

Paul Yocum YMCA Fund (1986)
A bequest from the estate of Paul Yocum established a fund to help build and maintain the Auglaize/Mercer Counties Family YMCA.

Rotary Club Fund (1982)
Originally started as a scholarship fund, the Rotary Club now holds an annual charity auction to raise funds that are donated to various charitable organizations and community projects.

Urban & Irene Zahn Memorial Fund (1999)
The estate of Urban & Irene Zahn established a fund for scholarships and other charitable needs for the benefit of the Marion Township area.

Richard & Catharine Sharp Fund (1997)
The Sharp’s, who were former owners of the Sharp Canning Co. in Rockford, established this fund by bequest.  Grants from the fund are given each year to the Western Ohio Educational Foundation for scholarships at Wright State University Lake Campus.

Mercer County Home Fund (2002)
The fund has used both principal and income for improvements at the County Home.

Bob Heckman Memorial Fund (2004)
Mr. Heckman’s estate established this fund through bequest to benefit the Mercer County Historical Society.      

Houts YMCA Fund (2007)
Established for the benefit of the YMCA.

Richardson Bretz Building Fund (2007)
Established for the maintance of the Richardson Bretz Building.

Mercer Health Care Foundation (2008)
Established for the construction of the Medical Center and to secure a group to operate it and to purchase medical equipment. Now it gives grants in the health care related area.

Lightning Safety & Awarness Fund (2009)
Established to educate people about the dangers of lightning.

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Operating Funds

These funds assist with both Foundation administrative costs and some grant making expenses, thereby reducing the operational costs that must be assigned to the individual funds.

Friends of the Foundation (2002)
This fund assists with administrative costs, including some of our marketing expenses.  This means more money can go toward charitable uses.

General (1963)
This is a discretionary fund which the Board of Directors can use for Foundation charitable grants or expenses.                                                                                 Return to Top

Agency Funds

These funds are established by charitable organizations to hold their endowed assets.

Mercer Residential Services Fund (2002)
This agency helps provide extra support for residents in MR/DD housing in Mercer, Auglaize, Paulding, and Van Wert Counties.                                                          Return to Top

Donor Advised Funds (DAF)

Donors recommend grants from their funds to the Foundation Board of Directors while continuing to add to their fund over time.  DAF’s offer donors the benefits of a private foundation, while leaving the administrative tasks to the Civic Foundation.  Each year DAF’s suggest grants for local charities, churches, and disaster relief efforts.

Anonymous Donor (1998)
Kenneth Arps Fund (1998)
Edward Werling Charitable Fund (2003)
Collin Bryan Fund (2006)
Francis & Joan Pax Family Fund (2004)
Robert J. Bornhorst Memorial Fund (2004)
Ralph & Jane Stuckman Fund (1998)  
Parker & Margaret Snyder Fund (2008)
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Non-Permanent/Project Funds

Donors give to these funds knowing that the entire principle will eventually be disbursed to the named beneficiary or project.  They can be special one-time projects, or not-for-profits just getting started.

Giving Thanks Fund (1999)
Community Needs Fund (1990)
Grand Lake Arts Center Fund (1999)
Celina Concert Series Fund (1995)
Skateboard Park Fund (2005)
Monthgomery Field Fund (2007)
Jr. Fair Building Fund (2006)
Grand Lake Dog Park (2008)
Industrial Heritage (2008)
Grand Lake Symphony (2008)