The History of the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation
In
1976, Findlay resident L. Dale Dorney left The Cleveland Foundation a $5 million
dollar bequest dedicated to two interests: strengthening collegiate business
operation in Ohio and improving the quality of life in Findlay and Hancock County.
He hoped that the Findlay portion of this gift might one day form the nucleus of a
community foundation.
His dream came to fruition in 1992 when The
Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation was established as a supporting
organization of the Cleveland Foundation. From 1992 to February 1999,
The Community Foundation operated under the mentorship of The Cleveland
Foundation. On February 28, 1999, The Findlay-Hancock County Community
Foundation became an independent entity and the portion of the Dorney Fund
assets designated to Hancock County were returned to Hancock County.
What started as one man's
generous gift to his community, has been built upon and expanded by residents of Hancock County.
Over the years, the Dorney Fund assets were joined with gifts from other donors and today the assets total more than $70 million.
The Community Foundation has
grown through gifts of all sizes from many people. Our smallest gift was two
dollars, the largest was over $25 million. Both gifts will support an improved
quality of life in our community today and for generations to come.
The tradition of giving to your community and the rich history of
grantmaking during the early years of the Dorney Fund will continue.
