Fifteen Local Leaders Receive Certificate in Fund Raising Management

April 29, 2026

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that 15 local nonprofit leaders received their Certificate in Fund Raising Management through classes offered by The Community Foundation. As Hancock County faces a nationwide trend of nonprofit leadership transitions, preparing current and future leaders to ensure fundraising continuity is critical for these organizations.

The Certificate of Fund Raising Management is offered through the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Participants attended in-person classes hosted by the Foundation over two years. Classes completed as part of the certificate program include Principles & Techniques of Fundraising, Developing Major Gifts, Developing Annual Sustainability, and Fundraising Campaigns.

“Having additional local nonprofit leaders serve as experts in fundraising not only benefits the organizations but equips them to better support the generous donors in our community,” said Brian Treece, President & CEO of The Community Foundation. “I am proud that each of these leaders invested the time into this work and that, because of the generosity of our donors, the Foundation is able to partner with the Lilly School to bring nationally recognized professional development programs for nonprofits to our community.”

Certificate recipients include:

Kimberly Bash, Chief Community Engagement Officer of The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation
Carla Benjamin, Executive Director of Welcome to a New Life
Lauren Etler, Project Co-Coordinator of Arlington Heart & Soul
Dustin Fuller, Financial Opportunity Center Manager of Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County
Lisa Houck, Finance and Communications Associate of The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation
Tom James, Volunteer and Donations Coordinator of Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County
Marc Kogan, Scout Executive of Black Swamp Area Council, Scouting America
Amber Newlove, Co-Coordinator of Arlington Heart & Soul
Brooke Nissen, Executive Director of FOCUS Recovery and Wellness Community
Tammy Stahl, Executive Director of Christian Clearing House
Madelynn Strayer, Director of Annual Giving of the University of Findlay
Roseanna Thornton, Communications Coordinator of Open Arms Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services
Cassie Turner, Community Engagement Officer of The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation
Craig VanRenterghem, Education Director of Marathon Center for the Performing Arts
Randy Ward, Finance Director of Marathon Center for the Performing Arts

The Community Foundation offered the certificate program as part of its Organizational Strengthening program, which is an annual curriculum of workshops, coaching and other professional development opportunities for nonprofit organizations to help them go from good to great. This certificate program was made possible by grants totaling $99,000 from the Foundation.

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