We’ve all heard the phrase, “Thanks to You…It Works, for All of Us”. This is the “official” time the community campaign is in full swing for a time of giving, which we all know as the United Way.

It all starts with the communities where we live. All communities, large and small, have innate needs, which illustrate a community’s existence. But what makes these communities appealing, or what makes them “tick” in today’s world? Could it be the library and literacy initiatives…Child Care Choices…the local food pantry…senior care programs? Maybe it’s all of those things, but one thing is for certain, it comes down to you! 

Since 2001, United Way has held an endowment fund within the Tipp City Foundation, benefitting all who live within the 45371 area. Guiding the vision for the endowment on the Tipp City Foundation board was Jesse Chamberlain, who served both the Foundation and local United Way boards for more than 50 years.

United Way is an investment in the future of our community and more importantly, an investment in you and those that live next door to you, down the street, or on the other side of town. The lifeblood of the community is built on the premise that those within the community are better served when there’s a passion to meet challenges which exist head-on, by the community itself. That’s where United Way starts. 

Sean Ford, United Way’s Chief Executive Officer of Miami County states, "When you give to United Way, you are helping to improve literacy rates for children at risk of dropping out of school, providing a safety net for foster youth who have no other resources, and you are helping to provide healthy, nutritious meals to children who often do not have enough to eat."

Each of us want Miami County to be a community where basic needs are met and families thrive in meaningful relationships with friends and neighbors. And the best way for this to be realized is when children are properly nourished, whether stimulated mentally through reading programs, fed through healthy meals, or preparing for careers and life with support from parents, friends and the community. 

Similarly to United Way, the Tipp City Foundation builds on community strength and is committed to fostering an environment where funding maximizes value for the good of all. Whether it be Miami County Recovery Council, Health Partners Free Clinic, Needy Baskets Food Pantry, Partners in Hope, Safe Haven Inc., St Patrick’s Soup Kitchen, The Salvation Army or New Creation Counseling Center, the list continues and is extensive. All of these institutions have a purpose and each of them touch someone we know. They interact and complement one another, a woven fabric as a quilt covers a bed.  

Ford continues, “For more than 75 years, the United Way of Miami County has been working to meet the needs of vulnerable families in our region. No matter the crisis, we have always remained steadfast to our commitment to LIVE UNITED and take care of our community. We are uniquely positioned to connect and support the people, non-profits, businesses and government agencies working hard to address poverty in our region."

All of us can agree this year has been truly taxing in many ways. With this, the Tipp City Foundation, a component fund of The Troy Foundation, continues to support initiatives which bridge the gaps in our community and are ever-increasing. By being able to contribute through the Tipp City Foundation, this process ensures the level of accountability and demonstrates the ways lives are being changed, by the investment in our community. 

And therein lies the difference. Sean Ford closes by stating, “whether it be as a volunteer, a donation, or support through your approval of what we’re doing as an extension of the community, the change starts with  you!” 

We all want the best for our community. Be part of that change, a legacy with no end. Because of You, It truly Works…for All of Us in many ways.  

-by Nancy Bowman 

Families who open their doors to foster children in Tipp City, Monroe Township and Bethel Township have others who, in turn, support them including the Tipp City Foundation.

The foundation has awarded several grants during the past 18 months to support a growing foster care network in area homes.

Those recipients have included Seeds of Hope and Isaiah’s Place, both with offices in Troy.

A $1,345 grant was awarded to Seeds of Hope to support its Basic Needs Bags to help foster families and their children get off on the right foot.  This was the first grant to Seeds of Hope by the foundation.

Isaiah’s Place was awarded two grants. A $5,000 award supported training of new foster families in Trust-Based Relationship Intervention and created sensory rooms in their homes. A grant of $2,770 was awarded for a foster home recruitment plan and to double the number of foster homes in Tipp City and Bethel Township.

Seeds of Hope, a nonprofit organization operating from 1100 Wayne St. in Troy was created “to help support foster families and kinship families as well as local single moms in need,” said Katie Vasil, co-founder with Kristy Inoa.

Among items provided are new and gently used cribs, toddler and twin beds, car seats, clothing, baby items, diapers and other hygiene items. 

“As foster families we need to be prepared for birth-teen, boy or girls and sometimes multiple children at a time. Being a foster parent is hard so we want to take away some of the burden by providing basic supplies,” Vasil said.

The Basic Needs Bags are canvas bags filled with clothing, hygiene items, diapers, underwear, new sheets and other items. “These are very helpful for new placements as most children come into care with very little,” Vasil said.

The organization tries to focus on Miami County and surrounding Miami Valley, but does not turn away other foster families in need.

Anyone interested in learning more can visit the Seeds of Hope Facebook page and message the page or email seedsofhope.org.

Isaiah’s Place is a foster care agency that licenses and supports foster parents on their fostering journey. Families are supported in three  ways: transformative training, competent case management and consistent community support.

The recruitment effort included hosting fostering forums, engaging some area churches and updating marketing materials. That effort bore fruit and Isaiah’s Place believes that will continue, said Paul Hemminger, Isaiah’s Place assistant director.

The Trust-Based Relationship Intervention, or TBRI, teaches healthy relationship interventions that build trust using neuroscience data, Hemminger said. 

“TBRI has three sets of principles: empowering, connecting and correcting,” he said. “TBRI has months’ worth of content, resources and materials to help build up our foster parents’ toolkit to be the most grounded, confident and equipped foster parents to build trust through loving awareness and action.”

The TBRI grant also has had success, Hemminger said. “It has invigorated our parents and staff and has resulted in greater healing for our kids.”

Anyone interested in becoming a foster family can call 937-335-3701, email phemminger@isaiahsplace.com and kbrubaker@isaiahsplace.com or visit www.isaiahsplace.com/fosterparent.

For the first time in seventy-seven years, the Tipp City Foundation’s grantmaking process has fundamentally changed. Beginning with the first quarter 2020 awards, impactful and responsive grants continue—with a twist.

Eight of the 47 foundation funds are “Donor Advised”. These funds are established by an original donor who then becomes the “advisor” who awards grants, sometimes with the help from a small circle of others, from the fund.

Until now, advisors sought out and researched where to make grant awards on their own. Beginning this quarter, these advisors are invited to review the quarterly Tipp City Foundation grant applications, also reviewed by the Foundation’s own distribution committee. This access gives donor advisors an understanding of where the community’s most pressing needs exist. It also offers an opportunity to be a timely part of the solution. “This change adds more seats at the grantmaking table and gives more people the satisfaction of knowing that they stepped forward to help solve a need,” said Dee Gillis, president.

What hasn’t changed is that application deadlines remain the same. Jim Ranft remains the point person for grant questions, and applications are available online at www.tippfoundation.org. Also, if you are interested in establishing an endowment fund of your own, contact the Foundation at 937-528-2482.

Ultimately, 11 organizations were chosen to receive 18 awards serving a broad spectrum of needs and totaling $35,696.75. The following is a list of recipients, award levels and the impact grants will make. The impact that advisors made through grantmaking this quarter are included in the descriptions of awards below.

ARTS & CULTURE

Bethel Local Schools, Award Swap, adds a multicultural World Music elective to the middle school with the purchase of drumming curriculum. A 2019 grant sending students to the spring Nashville Heritage Festival was cancelled due to COVID-19. From the 2019 grant, $2,875.00 is reallocated to support this request.

Project T.I.P.P. (Teens Impacting and Promoting Philanthropy), $5,000.00, gives teens grantmaking responsibility over these dollars as they play the role of a grant distribution committee. This exercise is in conjunction with the Tipp City Chamber of Commerce’s Teen Leadership Academy.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $1,600.00, hosts children’s book author and illustrator Will Hillenbrand for K-1 classes, to discuss the creative stages of making a book. Hillenbrand, who is dyslexic, recalls that learning to read was extremely difficult, but he has learned to express himself through his art. He is the author of over 70 books.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $1,500.00, promotes Stagecrafters Summer Theatre Drama Camp, giving children a two-week experience working both on stage and behind the scenes of a play. Additional support from Lucky 13 Fund advisors rounds out this request for a total of $2,000.00.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $1,200.00, partners 1^st graders with the Muse Machine’s Artist in Residence program to write and produce a musical over several weeks. Components for hands-on learning also involve designing and making costumes, creating invitations, programs and posters, and performing the play for parents and the community.

Tipp City Parks Department, $1,839.32, maintains gutter and downspouts at Veteran’s Memorial Park. This is a Veteran’s Tribute Fund grant.

ENVIRONMENT

Brukner Nature Center, $1,709.00, customizes new promotional tools for community outreach events. A new booth, experiential display and video make up the three components to educate an audience on volunteer opportunities, programming for children and wildlife rehabilitation.

EDUCATION

Bethel Local Schools, $2,610.00, inspires 7th and 8th grade STEM learning with the purchase of high-tech tools like 3D printers. This is a Radle Family Fund for Science Education grant. Reallocated support planned for the Nashville Heritage Festival cancelled due to COVID-19 now supports this STEM request for a total of $3,585.00.

Bethel Local Schools, $2,421.78, supports “Fundations”, a phonics teaching tool for 270 K-2 learners, with the purchase of classroom materials. This is a Bethel Community Fund grant.

Bethel Local Schools, $1,979.22, buys tools such as needle and thread, first aid kits, hand tools and even a toilet plunger for the new Life Skills curriculum. This course in “adulting” skills teaches fundamentals of life. This is a Bethel Community Fund grant. Additional support from Robinson-Walters Family Fund advisors rounds out this request for a total of $2,979.22.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, $283.77, purchases owl pellets for 2^nd graders to dissect. Pellets are the regurgitated indigestible parts from prey (such as teeth and feathers) too dangerous to pass through the digestive tract. This is a Youth of Tipp City Fund imo Sara Drexler grant.

RECREATION

Tipp Pride Association, $4,973.66, represents a payment towards the Foundation’s commitment of $75,000.00 to build a new stadium in City Park.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Brunner Literacy Center, $3,000.00, encourages neighbors striving for a better life through education.  Student goals of GED preparation, literacy skills or English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) are achieved while working one-on-one with tutors. This program is coming to our community through a partnership with the Tipp City Library. This is a H. E. “Tiny” & Emma Drewing Fund grant.

Tipp City Enrichment Program, Inc., $700.00, upgrades computer technology for this latchkey program. Over 150 families are supported by TCEP. This is a Jim & June Kyle Family Fund grant.

Tipp City Seniors, Inc., $380.00, builds a website to promote ever-changing activity schedules. Membership has grown to 375 since moving to the new location. This is an August Henke Comfort for the Needy Fund grant. Additional support from Dave Drake Family Fund advisors rounds out this request for a total of $430.00.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Miami County Dental Clinic, $4,500.00, nods to the importance of oral health by supporting lab and supply fees of the Dental Direct Program. Last year 8,172 patients from Miami County used these services; 1,343 of those were senior citizens. This is a Senior Wellness Fund grant. Additional support from Lucky 13 Fund advisors rounds out this request for a total of $5,000.00.

Miami County Fire and Emergency Services Chief’s Association, Inc., $2,000.00, fuels the fire extinguisher training program. This is a Safety First Fund grant.

Tipp City Exempted Village Schools, award, broadcasts “LIKE”, an IndieFlix Original documentary exploring the impact of technology and social media on the brain. Showings for the middle school, staff and parents will include a moderated post-film dialogue. The Robinson-Walters Family Fund advisors awarded the entire grant request of $500.00.

The deadline for 2Q grant submissions is June 1.

Since 1943, the Tipp City Foundation has awarded $2,311,765.44, through December 31, 2019. Members of the Foundation are Heather Bailey, Mary Bowman, Diana Featherstone, Dee Gillis, president, Dave Grim, treasurer, Melissa Keller, Bruce McKenzie, Jim Ranft, vice president and distribution chair, Nathan Rentz, Pete Schinaman, Claire Timmer, Jackie Wahl, secretary, and Sarah Worley.

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

For more information visit www.tippfoundation.org or Tipp Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.

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:

• Following us on Facebook or
• InstagramVisiting our
• WebsiteSending us an Email

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 - Advanced Machinery Companies; 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

GOOD NEWS IS WORTH SHARING
Use the links below to share the TIPPing Point with friends and neighbors. Not a subscriber? Sign up here! If there is something you would like to see in future installments, please email news@tippfoundation.org. Your input is welcome and appreciated!

Roger Presley didn’t arrive in Tipp City until later in life but through hard work and a love of outdoors is leaving a mark on the community with a nature trail and a legacy gift for its long-term care.

Presley who lived in several states before moving to Tipp City in 2005, has used his time wisely.

His will directs his estate to the Tipp City Foundation’s Warren E. Miltenberger Parkland Fund. This fund, founded in 2008, supports the upkeep of the out of doors by partnering with the city of Tipp City for upkeep, maintenance and preservation of public parkland and natural areas.

He spent countless hours over more than three years working to clear the trail along Freeman Prairie and the Great Miami River. The effort was initiated to help him deal with the loss of his mother some two years ago. Presley said he spent a year cutting honeysuckle and cleared many areas of brush, roots and trees by hand.

The project was done “out of the kindness of my heart so people have a place to go. It is just being there with nature and watching 25 animals running down the trail,” he said.

Presley’s efforts were recognized in early 2019 when the Tipp City Council, on the recommendation of the Parks Advisory Board, named the path the Roger Presley Trail.

Tipp City Manager Tim Eggleston said Presley “has done one heck of a job.”

Presley’s legacy gift’s goals include to provide money to replant trees along the trial, upgrade the trail rail and provide any benches and mile markers that are needed.

“I want to make sure the trail is properly maintained forever. I never knew it was going to be what it is. I just needed to keep myself busy,” Presley said.

“My goal is to make it better and better.  I want to help kids plant trees so their grandchildren will have a place to come back and see the trees. The mulching, the signs, that all can be done. It can’t be done if there isn’t money,” he said.

Heather Bailey of the Tipp City Foundation said Presley’s legacy is unique. "After a lifetime of living in many states, it is our area's natural recreation spaces that he has chosen to reward with his final years' energy and life savings. What greater gift can a person give to a community?" she said.

Presley said he chose the foundation as the home for his legacy after picking up a copy of the foundation annual report and talking with a person familiar with the foundation and how it works.

“I asked how I could will my stuff to the foundation and keep the legacy going. I am looking at all of this hard work and asked, ‘Why throw it away, walk away and do nothing?’” Presley said. “The legacy is to keep the trail for people who need it to know who they are, keep them down to Earth, to help balance their minds.”