By Nancy Bowman
The Gillis Fund for Self Sufficiency is ready to help adults through programs to assist them in improving themselves through education.
These programs could include those that help to prepare people for high school equivalency certificates, or GED, or adult literacy training.
This will be the first year for grants through the Tipp City Foundation from the Gillis Fund for Self Sufficiency.
The couple said the program is supported by the proverb, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.”
Kelly and Dee Gillis began setting money aside for this fund in 2012 and it now has reached $25,000. That is the amount necessary for the fund to begin awarding grants.
Applicants for grants must be 501(c)(3) organizations.
“Our fund is not for scholarships. It is for people who are already trying to be in the workforce that need something a little better for their family. It is more for adults than someone just getting out of high school,” Dee Gillis said. “Once you are underwater, you need to get a good job. Without a GED, you cannot get a good job.”
Kelly Gillis said the couple started the fund because neither of them finished high school, although Dee Gillis later obtained her GED. “We want to help people who got behind for some reason or other,” he said.
Dee Gillis left high school to attend beauty college in Dayton and then joined her mother in the business. Kelly Gillis worked after leaving school eventually being employed for several years at Dayton Power and Light.
“In that day when we were starting to make our life, you could still get a good factory job or job at DP&L without having a high school diploma. You can’t do that now,” Dee Gillis said.
Kelly Gillis said the fund was started thanks to Dee.
“She came home and talked to me about it. It was her idea. I am glad we did it now,” he said with a smile. “I want people to take advantage of it however they can.”
The Gillis Fund diversifies the Tipp City Foundation’s grant offerings “by encouraging adults to improve their lives by completing or furthering their education or vocational training” said Jim Ranft, OD, of the Tipp City Foundation board.
“We strive to serve all age groups and needs within the community,” Ranft added.
The Gillis Fund is one of 20 new funds to join the foundation portfolio in the last five years. “Our fund development chair, Heather Bailey, has done a great job of guiding donors through the process of creating funds that will support their unique special interests for years to come” Dr. Ranft said.
For more information on this fund and the Tipp City Foundation, visit tippfoundation.org.