By Nancy Bowman
A number of donors are finding the Advised Funds available through the Tipp City Foundation an attractive philanthropy option.
The Dave Drake Family Fund is intended to reflect Tipp City native Dave Drake’s appreciation for what life offered his family while growing up in Tipp City. The family of four sons and “the best parents” lived in the Westedge subdivision.
Dave Drake graduated in 1975 in Tippecanoe High School and is a graduate of Miami (Ohio) University. Dave Drake, now of Centerville, credits older brother, Tim Drake, with providing information that led to creation of the Dave Drake Family Fund. Tim Drake started the Drake Family Fund that, in memory of their father, supports Parkinson’s-related activities.
Both funds are Advised Funds, which are defined as keeping donors involved in philanthropy because grant awards are made at the suggestion of their fund’s advising body. As long as a donor wants to give money to a bonafide nonprofit anywhere in the United States, this fund can make that distribution.
Dave Drake found the advised fund’s feature allowing him to pick and choose where his money goes to be attractive.
The fund’s goal is to support activities or projects that make an impact on children, or adults, so they have experiences that allow them “to walk away from Tipp City with the same feeling I have,” Dave Drake said.
Sue McGatha of Tipp City started the Robinson-Walters Family Fund using her mother’s maiden name of Robinson and Sue’s maiden name of Walters.
“When I retired, I wanted to find a way to give back. I have been very fortunate to have had a good life and I wanted to help others,” she said. “I decided to start a donor-advised fund to honor my parents who worked hard to make certain that their children had what they needed to live healthy lives and to give back to the community.”
She learned about the advised-funds option from Heather Bailey while exploring possible fund formats. After working more than 30 years in the behavioral health field, McGatha’s fund description centered on supporting people who have mental health or addiction issues but with a “very holistic, big picture perspective.” The fund extends beyond supporting people with behavioral health concerns to prevention, education, and safe and healthy environments, she said, including support for activities such as the Tipp City Public Library’s participation in the Dayton Literary Peace Prize project.
“The fact that donor-advised funds have great flexibility is very appealing to me. A fund can be as focused as you want it to be or as flexible as you want it to be, she said.
Karen Beagle of Tipp City started the Ed and Sherry Hartwell Memorial Fund in 2020 to honor her mother and stepfather, who she called “shining examples of kindness and generosity.”
Ed Hartwell served in the Army for many years while her mother always put the needs of others before her own, Beagle said.
“When they died, I wanted their spirit to live on. I wanted their lives to continue positively impacting others’ lives,” she said.
Knowing the work done by the Tipp City Foundation, Beagle said it was the perfect place to create the fund.
The purpose of the fund is to support worthy causes consistent with Ed and Sherry’s values.
“For example, the fund most recently donated money to Ability Found, a 501c3 charity that provides mobility equipment for those in need. As my mother’s battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) progressed, she lost the ability to speak, swallow, and move. Having the resources to purchase a speech-assist device and mobility equipment was vital to her efforts to remain as independent as possible, and I know she would be happy that through her legacy, she has been able to help others in need,” Beagle said.
Creating a fund through the foundation is easy and the foundation is “wonderful” to work with,” she said, adding there is also the positive impact a fund can have on others’ lives.
For information on the Tipp City Foundation and its funds including the Advised Funds option, contact Heather Bailey at 937-528-2482.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Tipp City Foundation is a member fund of The Troy Foundation. You can make a difference with your dollars in our community by:
- Donating online here.
- Making your check payable to the Tipp City Foundation and mail to P.O. Box 626, Tipp City, OH 45371.
- Setting up a fund or legacy plan by contacting Heather Bailey at (937) 528-2482.
STAY CONNECTED
We’d love to stay in touch. Stay connected with the Tipp City Foundation by:
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
All marketing activities of the Foundation is 100% underwritten by generous sponsors. Please contact us at info@tippfoundation.org for information on how your business or organization can become our partner in philanthropy.
- Silver Sponsor – Thrivent Financial (Matt Buehrer)
- Bronze Sponsors – Dunaway Family Foundation; Dungan & LeFevre; Ever-Green Turf & Landscape; Gibson Law Offices; Monroe Federal Savings and Loan; New Carlisle Federal Savings Bank; Pickrel, Schaeffer and Ebeling; Unity National Bank
- Friend Sponsors – Captor Corp.; Edward Jones (Neil Nehring); Frings & Bayliff Funeral Home; Minster Bank; RSM US; Turnstone Financial; US Bank
- Media Sponsor – Tippecanoe Gazette
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