CONTACT: RICHARD BENDER

(937) 524-8493
TIPP CITY, OH- 

At 83, Tipp City Foundation Moves Towards Independence

On Monday, August 31, 2026, The Tipp City Foundation Board of Trustees unanimously voted to take steps toward becoming an independent nonprofit organization, including the retention of legal counsel and working collaboratively with The Troy Foundation to best position both organizations for future success.

Currently, the organization exists as a component fund of The Troy Foundation. The Tipp City Foundation is led by a volunteer, 15-member board. All public-facing efforts such as grantmaking, events, communication and fundraising are handled by these volunteers who know our community best.

“The arc of growth we have experienced with the support of The Troy Foundation has been explosive,” said Richard Bender, Tipp City Foundation President. “Their administrative support, combined with our volunteer efforts, have been nothing short of remarkable.”  Our organization evolved from a $1,300 initial donation in 1943 to 70 endowment funds and over $13 million in endowed assets. Board-led grant-making exceeds $200,000 annually and additional community impact is evidenced through scholarships and giving from donor advised funds.

The ability of The Tipp City Foundation to make this important step towards independence is a direct byproduct of the incredible support and tutelage provided by The Troy Foundation, for which The Tipp City Foundation is grateful.

“For the past 18 years, The Troy Foundation has been honored to support and nurture the growth of the Tipp City Foundation. Through a partnership grounded in trust, shared vision, and a commitment to community philanthropy, the Tipp City Foundation has grown its own strength, capacity, and identity. Today, we celebrate the dedication of its board as it takes this exciting next step toward becoming an independent nonprofit organization. We are proud to have been a part of helping the Tipp City Foundation carry its mission forward to create a lasting impact on the Tipp City community for generations to come,” said Melissa Kleptz, President and CEO of The Troy Foundation.

The Tipp City Foundation’s mission to support philanthropy in Tipp City, Monroe Township, Bethel Township, and the organizations who serve our geographic area through grantmaking, will stay the same.  We look forward to providing our community with updates regarding these important steps towards independence and the remarkable gifting opportunities available at both the Tipp City Foundation and The Troy Foundation in the near future.

CONTACT: HEATHER BAILEY
(937) 478-3400

TIPP CITY, OH-

Stepping into the Spotlight Broadens Impact

Chances to serve the community in new ways continue to land in the Tipp City Foundation’s mailbox. These can become partnerships helping magnify the good work of both a nonprofit and the foundation. Though it is the foundation’s habit to lead from behind the scenes, sometimes stepping into the spotlight can do more good for the community overall.

That is where the foundation finds itself with one of this quarter’s grants. ThinkTV PBS comes into every home in southwest Ohio with content that makes us think. Thanks to a grant, the new documentary series, “Workforce Ready: The Future is Now”, launches this fall and begins with a focus on our Northern Miami Valley region. More on the award is below.

The board is proud of every nonprofit relationship it nurtures. Since 1943, $3,407,425.02 has been awarded to nonprofits serving our community. Ultimately, this quarter, 12 organizations received 12 awards totaling $43,546.

The following is a list of recipients, award levels and the impact these grants will have. Donor advised funds support given towards requests is noted with an asterisk (*).

ARTS & CULTURE

Downtown Tipp City Partnership, $2,436, draws attention to the importance of preserving historical homes through a 40-page printed guide for each visitor attending Tippecanoe and Christmas Too. This year’s featured homes are on First and Second Streets, some being the earliest homes in the region. A Century Milestone Fund iho The Lantz Family award.

Downtown Tipp City Partnership, award*, launches “Tipp the Halls”, a new Holiday tradition in Downtown Tipp City in an imaginatively decorated public gathering space on the corner of Main and Third Streets. People will experience community engagement events all  Holiday season. *The Lucky 13 Fund supported the full $5,221 request.

ThinkTV, $10,000*, produces a 4-part documentary exploring the opportunities and challenges shaping workforce development throughout Southwest Ohio. *Additional support from Walter E. Caton and Lucky 13 Funds rounds up this request for a total of $18,000.

Tipp City Public Library, $7,500, preserves history by professionally scanning and digitizing editions of the Tippecanoe City Herald (founded circa 1869) and all subsequent newspapers. Editions will be found in a free, fully searchable online archive.

Vandalia Youth Theatre, $2,500, casts every Tipp City or Bethel student who auditions into a production of this regional youth theatre through a scholarship stipend.

EDUCATION

Child Care Choices, $4,500*, tackles kindergarten readiness head-on through targeted programming in conjunction with the Tipp City Library. Only 36% of incoming Tipp City kindergarten students were identified as “on track” for the 2024-2025 school year. That is 10% below the State average.*Additional support from Robinson-Walters Family Fund rounds up this request for a total of $5,000.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $2,000, flips ON the curiosity switch for reluctant 5^th grade readers with First Chapter Friday. As a class, only the first chapter of a classic book will be read aloud leaving listeners with the question, “What happens next?” Through a variety of genres, students will be exposed to the joy of books and will be encouraged to explore the library more deeply.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Zion Lutheran Church, $605, recertifies users of AED equipment originally purchased through a grant in 2024. Centrally located downtown, the church opens its doors to community events year-round.

Seeds of Hope OH, award*, removes practical barriers, keeping potential foster families from saying “yes” when they receive a placement call. At least 26 car seats and 40 sets of bedding will be purchased with this grant. Last year, 37 children were served in Tipp City and Bethel Township. *The Edward C. & Sherry S. Hartwell Memorial Fund supported the full $4,000 request.

RECREATION

Camp Honor, $2,500, combats PTSD with outdoor recreation for area veterans. This award will be used towards an UTV purchase, ensuring vets can fully participate in outdoor experiences, regardless of physical limitations.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Isaiah’s Place, $3,000, aligns Child Safety Matters age-appropriate child sexual abuse prevention curriculum for Tipp City students.

LifeCare Alliance, $2,233*, delivers daily Meals-on-Wheels to homes of 19 Tipp City and 4 Bethel Twp seniors. An August Henke Comfort for the Needy Fund Award. *Additional support from the Lucky 13 Fund rounds up this request for a total of $10,000.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Dayton, award*, aids families as they grapple with their child’s illness during their stay at Dayton Children’s Hospital. Last year, Miami County families were served with 92 nights of lodging. *The Tipp Giving Fund supported the full $3,000 request.

NATURE

Tipp City Parks Department, $3,772, continues the partnership with Tipp City to plant a tree grove in Kyle Park to honor donors. A Lucille L. Milner Trees for Tipp Fund award.

Tipp Kitty Refuge, $2,500*, rescues the stray cats roaming Bethel Twp. and Tipp City. Once caught, cats receive veterinary care, including vaccines, and are spayed/neutered before being placed for adoption. *Additional support from Lucky 13 Fund rounds up this request for a total of $5,000.

Discretionary grants are made possible because of contributions, of any size, from the public. A full list of the foundation’s 70 endowment funds is available at tippfoundation.org.

Quarterly grant deadlines are February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 each year. Jim Ranft is available for your grant-related questions at 937-528-2482. Applications are available online at www.tippfoundation.org.  

Members of the Foundation are Heather Bailey, Richard Bender, president, Bryan Blake, Sarah Gillenwater, Kelly Gillis, Cameron Haller, Joellen Heatherly, Susan Kuntz, Renee Matsunami, Glen McMurry, Jim Ranft, distribution chair, Julie Taylor, treasurer, Julia Watson, Bill Wendel, secretary / vice president, and Carolyn Wright.

The Tipp City Foundation is a component fund of The Troy Foundation. If you would like information about how to make a tax-deductible contribution or how to establish an endowment fund, please contact Heather Bailey at (937) 528-2482.

For more information visit tippfoundation.org or TippCityFoundation on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

By Eiliana Wright

Tipp City Foundation gifted a local Scouting America troop $500 for new cooking equipment. The money upgraded kitchen equipment for Scouting America Troop 586, chartered by Robinson Family YMCA, to sell cobbler at the 67th Annual Tipp City Mum Festival.

Each September at the Mum Festival, for about  the past 20 years, folks line up in front of Troop 586’s tent to wait for plates of sticky cobbler. Until more recently, scouts baked the yummy dessert in Dutch ovens over a live fire. According to Jim Ridgeway, Scoutmaster since 2011, this will be the third year they’ve tried a different system.

The first year with no fire was an experiment—and it went well, despite concerns that their cobbler flavor would change. “It tastes exactly the same, and it was cheaper on our end,” Rideway said.

The next year, it went even better, so finally, Ridgeway said, “Let's get some money and let's buy the right stuff, and do this right.” This will be the third year with no live fire, and with the grant money, the troop has purchased two new electronic broilers, updated their booth sign, and added on some cooking equipment like spatulas, spoons and whips for making the cake.

“I love them and they're awesome, but they're so hard on equipment,” Ridgeway said while laughing. “Imagine a 12-year-old having full run [of] your kitchen, right?”

Kyle Stump, a freshman entering Tipp City High School this year, and a Senior Patrol Leader for Troop 586, said recruitment has been “really good” the past two years. There are now 41 scouts in Troop 586, according to Ridgeway.

“It's been a little bit difficult to manage, but we're figuring it out,” Stump said. “I bet some new equipment might help.”

Scouting America has 12 points of Scout Law, which are 12 values all scouts must agree to abide by. “Thrifty is a part of that, and so we try to pay our own way for everything.” Ridgeway said. 

A fraction of the Mum Festival fundraiser profit will fund overall scout expenses like patches and merit badges, Ridgeway said. The rest go into “scout accounts.”

Monthly Scouting America camping trips cost individuals about $30-$50 each, and just the annual summer camp individually costs scouts $400. These individual scout accounts, held with the Robinson Family YMCA, help scouts pay to participate.

“It really helps us out a lot. I know for me working the Mum Festival and doing other fundraisers paid for half of the summer camp last year,” Stump said. Ridgeway also said the money can go toward new hiking boots or camping equipment.

The main fundraiser for Scouting America is popcorn sales. However, as Ridgeway laughed, he said that when scouts get to him, it’s a bit harder for popcorn sales to turn a profit. “When you're six to nine [years old], you can sell popcorn to anybody because you're the cute little kid,” Rideway said. “By the time I get them, I mean they're older and they're uglier, right? So they have a much harder time selling popcorn. Not little cute kids anymore, right? And it just didn't work. It just… it didn't work.”

Cobbler, however, is a treat scouts regularly enjoy on their camping trips. Ridgeway also found out that for mere cents a plate, he could provide boxes of yellow cake and cans of pie filling and turn a much larger profit. According to Rideway, the cobbler proceeds of 2025 brought in about $2,500.

The cobbler sale at the end of September is also just the finale of the troop’s month-long fundraising.

“Basically, all eyes turn to the Mum Festival starting in August,” Ridgeway said.

That’s when scouts paint the famous mum motifs that dot the pavement throughout Tipp City. Twenty years ago, the painted mums were done by a small group of folks. After realizing that this was a perfect job for scouts, the Mum Festival committee struck a deal with the troop where the committee pays for materials, and the troop gets 60% of the profit.

 For the month of August scouts go door to door to advertise stenciled mum motifs, then try to finish it all one week before the Festival. Just last year, Troop 586 painted over 900 mums on pavement throughout the City, priced at $25 each. “It’s a huge fundraiser,” Ridgeway said. “10s of 1000s of dollars.”

Scouting America Troop 586 will be at the Mum Festival again this year in Tipp

City near the roundhouse in City Park. Cobbler is $6 a plate, and scoops of ice cream are available for $1.

Folks can also visit the website of Troop 586 to inquire about their own stenciled mum motif at https://tippcitymumfestival.com/adopt-a-mum-boy-scout-troop-586/.

Rideway said the fundraiser is about what’s best for the kids. “If turning out cobblers is the answer, let's turn out some cobblers,” he said.

By Kevin Tucker

TIPP CITY – The showstoppers of any parade are the cleverly-crafted, visually-stimulating floats that serve as the hallmark for most celebratory processions.

Participating floats in the Tipp City Mum Festival parade this year promise to be more eye-popping than ever before thanks in part to a collaborative effort between the Tipp City Foundation and festival parade leadership.

In an effort to encourage more float involvement and to provide a little more visual “punch,” the Foundation along with Ashley Cook, parade chair, and Tommi Malone, parade co-chair, have teamed up to provide $500 parade float participation grants to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving the 45371 zip code.

“Working with the foundation has been amazing,” said parade stalwart Cook. “While trying to get this awesome grant going, they have been incredible and so incredibly sweet. We would truly love to see this collaboration continue for as long as we can. It's going to be extremely helpful in drawing in more people to participate in the parade. We would love to see this parade grow and grow and grow.”

This is the 67^th annual rendition of the city’s premier event with this year’s theme being Blossoms of Liberty: Celebrating 250 Years of American Independence. The parade has been a highlight of every Mum Festival since its genesis in 1959, and even during times of inclement weather such as the storms that prevailed a few years ago, much like the postal creed, neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these participants from their appointed rounds through the city center. Come rain or shine, the festival mainstay promises to persevere.

“The parade has always been a core part of the festival traditions, and we hope to see it always be a part of this amazing festival,” Malone said. “We know that a lot of the floats are going to be the kiddos’ favorites because they are able to see something so big, cool and shiny. A lot of times, people like to add some sort of element to the floats, whether that be bubbles, fog or music.”

In addition to receiving up to a $500 grant from the Foundation, participating nonprofits have an opportunity to showcase their mission as well put themselves in the running of taking home the trophy for best parade float.

“The Mum Festival Parade is one of the few events that brings our entire community together,” said Jim Ranft, Foundation distribution chairman. “We saw it as a great opportunity to help our nonprofit partners share their missions while also strengthening one of Tipp City’s favorite traditions. It was a natural fit for the Foundation.”

The goal, he added, is simple: to bring more nonprofits to Main Street.

“We hope to encourage organizations serving the 45371 area to showcase their missions, connect with new volunteers and supporters, and increase awareness of the services they provide—all without the cost of building a parade float becoming a barrier,” said Ranft. “At the same time, more nonprofit participation creates a larger, more vibrant parade for everyone to enjoy.”

Because these grants are funded through the Tipp City Foundation, they must follow the Foundation's grantmaking policies, furthered Ranft. A float whose primary purpose is to promote religious organizations or religious education is not eligible for a grant. However, community service programs administered through churches or other faith-based organizations—such as New Path, Give Medical Ministry, or Bethel Hope—are eligible because they provide charitable services.

Cook estimated for the past few years the parade has featured approximately 10 floats and with the addition of the grants, would like to see that number swell to 20 this year. Some past participants include Tipp City Library, Precision Strip, Abbot, Victory Church, Corvette Club of Troy, the Boy and Girl Scouts, Community Bible Church, among others. Also featured are the Mum Festival Queen and her court along with several area high school marching bands.

“There’s always so many amazing organizations and we couldn’t be more thankful for each of these groups coming to showcase what they are most proud of and who they are,” said Cook.

Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, the parade route will originate at the Hyatt Center and snake its way down Main Street, eventually winding onto Second Street and culminating at Tipp City Park, acting as the festival’s kick off. Duration of the parade is expected to be about an hour.

The application process is not complex, according to Ranft. There isn’t a separate grant application per se, instead, organizations simply indicate on their Mum Festival parade registration that they are a 501(c)(3) organization. The registration also serves as their application for the Foundation’s Bring Your Mission to Main Street grant. Deadline for submission is Sept. 1.

Grants up to $500 will be awarded after the parade following the receipt of a Float Expense Report and images of the completed float sent to Grants@tippfoundation.org.

A suggestion made by Cook and Malone to first-time entrants wishing to make a splash would be to bring items to give to the kids lining the parade route. Also, include some type of music to get spectators up and dancing as you pass them by.

“We really hope that this grant will help with the visual effect of the floats as we know a lot of arts and crafts stuff can be expensive,” said Cook. “We very much think that the grant will help increase participation since it will help provide the funds to make a vision come to life.” 

Added Malone, “It will give people more of a chance to show off their brand and express their creative side. “Highlighting more nonprofits in this town would be amazing especially if they are newer and maybe not as known. People could see more resources that are available that they may not have known existed.”

The grants are funded through unrestricted charitable dollars entrusted to the Foundation and supporting organizations that strengthen the community is exactly the kind of investment those funds were intended to make, Ranft said. And, if there’s evidence of more nonprofit organization participation and a greater awareness of the important work they do that also coincides with a successful parade, the Foundation would certainly like to explore making this an annual partnership, he continued.

“I’d simply encourage our nonprofit partners to think about this as more than a parade,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to tell your story, celebrate your mission, and let the community see the impact you’re making every day. We hope organizations across our community will take advantage of this opportunity to truly bring their mission to Main Street.” 

For more information, contact the Tipp City Mum Festival Parade Committee at tippmumfestparade@gmail.com, or by calling (937) 703-5860.