The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Community Foundation touts giving at event
The Community Foundation of Lorain County, at its annual luncheon June 21, reflected on the accomplishments it has made last year.
In 2016, the Community Foundation distributed more than $5.8 million in grants and scholarships to the community. It also created 22 new endowment funds, bringing the organization’s total to 619 funds and more than $123 million in assets.
“Our Community Foundation — the one we worked really hard to help build and grow — is doing a great job of fulfilling the promises we made over the last 37 years and we are well poised,”
President and CEO Brian Frederick said during the luncheon at Spitzer Conference Center at Lorain County Community College.
Keynote speaker Suzanne Allen, president and CEO of Philanthropy, talked about philanthropy and compared the Community Foundation to the three types of rock — sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous.
“To me, these rocks describe the Community Foundation,” she said. “Igneous rock is when magma cools and leaves a deposit, whether that’s from Nordson or the Nord Family leaving a deposit that started the organization or generous people.
“Sediment, in terms of donations to the Community Foundation, but then the real prize in the Community Foundation world is the ability to maneuver quick to meet community needs, which is metamorphic.” During the event, the organization awarded the 2017 Jim Doughman Award to Dave Morgan and the Steel Survivors and Steel Laydz motorcycle clubs.
The Jim Doughman Award recognizes an individual or group with above and beyond dedication to community service.
The club was honored for their work with Humility of Mary’s Faith House in Lorain, according to Communications Officer Lisa Rupple.
“The club has organized food drives, plans special events for the children for every holiday, wearing bunny ears at Easter or elf ears during Christmas and arranging for Santa and Mrs. Claus to be there to hand out presents, and more,” she said.
The club was nominated by Humility of Mary Housing.
Along with the award, the club received a $1,000 contribution, which they awarded to the charity of their choice, Faith House.
Online: For more on the Community Foundation of Lorain County, visit