Partnering with the Bexley Community Foundation, Benefactor Group conducted a strategic assessment to establish a clear mission and vision, develop an effective governance structure, and engage community members in the foundation’s formation. Following the establishment of the foundation, we collaborated with the newly formed board to create a comprehensive fundraising plan and drafted the job description for the foundation’s first director.

To inform our approach, we studied giving trends at seven Ohio community foundations, as recommended by Philanthropy Ohio, to set realistic expectations for philanthropic support in relatively small population areas. Since the implementation of the plan in 2011, the foundation has exceeded its fundraising goals each year and has successfully made grants totaling $540,000 to local nonprofit organizations in a community of 13,500 residents. This success demonstrates the foundation’s vital role in supporting local initiatives and enhancing the quality of life in Bexley.