A Community Family of Funds

The Wapakoneta Area Community Foundation has a group of local funds dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life of individuals or groups with diverse interests and objectives. Each of these endowed funds was established for the purpose of supporting certain kinds of events or activities in our community. Some of them are associated with nonprofit organizations that seek support from the community for their special projects. Others were established by individuals who want the earnings from their endowed fund to be used for specific purposes. These endowed funds are invested with the Fifth Third Trust Co. for investment purposes, but the local nonprofit organization decides annually what grants to give. Grants awarded from individually endowed accounts are decided by the Foundation's Trustees. The funds under the umbrella of the Wapakoneta Area Community Foundation are the following:

Administrative Endowment Fund - This unrestricted fund enables the Foundation to respond to changing needs and emergencies, to support the creation of innovative responses to community problems, and to improve the quality of life for all citizens. Donors have placed no restrictions on how the funds are to be used, relying upon the Board of Trustees to implement the Foundation's established grant making policies and procedures.

Anonymous Scholarship #1 - Funded by a resident of Wapakoneta, this scholarship is available to graduates of Lima Senior High School, especially minority students, who are interested in careers in medicine, science, engineering or education.

Berg Family Advised Fund - This Donor Advised Fund was established by the Egon Berg, Jr. and James F. Berg. The primary purpose of the fund is to assist in the development of programs of facilities of the YMCA in Wapakoneta and other charitable purposes.

Ida Brown Scholarship - This fund was established under the Will of Ida Brown to provide scholarships for students at St. Joseph High School and Wapakoneta Senior High School. Applicants must show financial need and be in the upper 20% of their graduating class.

Mark A. Coomer Memorial Fund - This fund was established by Charlotte R. Coomer in memory of her husband, Mark A. Coomer and its primary purpose is to assist disadvantaged youth in the Wapakoneta area and elsewhere.

County Fair Youth Development Fund - This fund was established in 1993 to develop character, teach leadership and improve self esteem among youth participating in the Auglaize County Fair. The purpose is accomplished by providing facilities, programs and awards which enhance the activities and recognition of youth participating in the county fair.

Cridersville Community Fund - This fund was established to receive funds to be used within the community to improve parks, recreation, support higher education and enhance the through ways of the village with trees and shrubbery.

Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 691 Community Parks Fund - Funded by the Wapakoneta Eagles, this fund was created to benefit community parks owned by a municipality or the Board of Education located within the Wapakoneta School District. Funds are to be used solely for capital improvement or maintenance of the parks.

Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 691 Wapakoneta Family YMCA Fund - The primary purpose of this endowment fund is to provide support to the Wapakoneta Family YMCA to carry out its mission and role as described in its governing documents.

Elks Scholarship Fund - This scholarship fund was established by Elks Lodge #1170 to assist children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews of Elks members.

Paul E. Fisher Jr. Scholarship Fund - This scholarship fund was established by Jerry M. Hardacre, MD, in June of 1999, in memory of his friend Paul E. Fisher, Jr., one of the founding members of the Foundation and board member and secretary from the time of the Foundation's organization until his death on June 22, 1999. The scholarship fund was established to assist worthy graduates of Wapakoneta Senior High School. The fund is administered by the Scholarship Committee of the Wapakoneta Area Community Foundation.

Paul E. Fisher, Sr. & Albert W. Winterman Harmon Field Facility Fund - The fund was created to improve and maintain the Harmon Field facility for the comfort and well being of the spectators.

Keith Froning Scholarship - This fund was created to honor the memory of Keith Froning and is available to participants in the soccer programs at Wapakoneta Senior High School.

Riley and Jean Hardacre Family Scholarship Fund - This scholarship fund was created in 1999 by former Wapakoneta resident Dr. Jerry M Hardacre and will award a four year scholarship to students of Wapakoneta Senior High School beginning in 2009. Eligibility will initially be limited to students pursuing a degree in medicine or dentistry.

Al & Gladys Heinrich Scholarship - Funded by a generous gift from Al & Gladys Heinrich, this scholarship is available to graduates of Wapakoneta Senior High School in the upper 50% of their graduating class who demonstrate a financial need.

J&S Advised Fund - This Donor Advised Fund was created to assist the Wapakoneta community in connection with the development of the programs and facilities limited to, any purpose within the scope of Code section 170(c) (2) (B).

V. Lyle Kiser Conservation Education Trust Fund - Created by a generous gift in memory of V. Lyle Kiser, this fund was established to benefit the Auglaize Soil and Water Conservation District and its annual conservation education programs.

Scott Lhamon Scholarship - This fund was established to honor the memory of Scott Lhamon, a 1988 graduate of Wapakoneta Senior High. Scott was interested in journalism, however, the scholarship is available to graduates with at least a 3.3 grade point average who were active in school organizations.

School Library Fund - This fund was created by a life member to support local libraries.

Love of Our Children Fund - This fund was established to assist a group of local volunteers who have spearheaded fund drives and the installation of playground equipment at local parks.

Minster State Bank Scholarship - Funded annually by The Minster State Bank, this scholarship is available to a graduating senior from Wapakoneta Senior High School with a grade point average of at least 3.0 who plans to pursue a two or four year degree in business.

Park Development Fund - This fund was established to assist in the maintenance of the park which was anonymously donated to the City of Wapakoneta at the corner of Defiance Street and Hamilton Road.

Ferald L. Ritchie Rotary Advised Fund - This Donor Advised Fund was established by the Rotary Club of Wapakoneta, Ohio to honor the former Wapakoneta resident and Rotarian. The primary purpose of the fund is to assist the development of the Nature Center project at Wapakoneta Senior High School and other charitable activities.

Jeny Roettger Memorial Fund - This fund was established in memory of Jeny Roettger and the proceeds are used to educate junior and senior high students of Wapakoneta in regards to the effects and consequences of the use of alcohol and drugs. The fund was initially funded as a part of a court imposed fine and is now supported by local individuals, organizations and businesses.

William H. Saum Memorial Fund - This fund was established in memory of William H. Saum and the funds are to be used first for sending Auglaize County delegates to Conservation Camp, with the remaining funds to be used for activities in conservation, woodworking, advisor training, and, if needed, other project areas considered part of the non-livestock program.

Father Sauter Scholarship Fund - This fund was created in memory of Father John Sauter of the St. Johns Parish in Freyburg and will be used for scholarships for Catholic youth of the St. Johns Parish or the Wapakoneta School District, either for CCD or college.

Niki Schaub 4-H Scholarship - This fund was established to honor Nichole Schaub. Niki lost her life in a car accident in 1991. The scholarship is funded by friends, 4-H clubs, businesses and organizations and is available to members of any Auglaize County 4-H club who are attending a university or technical school.

Milo and Kathryn Shaw Advised Fund - This Donor Advised Fund was created to assist the Wapakoneta community in connection with the development of the programs and facilities limited to, any purpose within the scope of Code section 170(c) (2) (B).

Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 8445 Advised Fund - The primary purpose of the Fund shall be to assist the Wapakoneta community and the area served by the VFW in connection any charitable purpose within the scope of Internal Revenue Code section 170(c) (2) (B).

Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 8445 Scholarship Fund - The purpose of the Fund is to establish a scholarship fund for the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of living and deceased regular members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8445 who were regular members of the Post for at least five (5) consecutive years.

Wapak Recreation Inc. Advised Fund - This fund was established in connection with Wapak Recreation, Inc. and is to assist the Wapakoneta Community in connection with capital improvements and development of the baseball/softball facilities located at Veteran's Memorial Park and programs and facilities of the Park.

Employees of the City of Wapakoneta Scholarship Fund - The fund was established by employees of the City of Wapakoneta and award scholarships to seniors at Wapakoneta Senior High School with a 2.75 GPA, attending a 2 or 4 year school or college and majoring in communications or engineering.

Wapakoneta YMCA Endowment Fund - This endowment fund was established to provide support to the Wapakoneta Family Young Men's Christian Association to carry out its role and mission as described by its governing documents.

Wapakoneta Family YMCA Investment in Youth Fund - This fund was established with the Wapakoneta Family YMCA and its primary purpose is to provide assistance and support to underprivileged youth so that they can participate in the activities of the YMCA.

Wapakoneta Fire Department Advised Fund - The primary purpose is to assist the Wapakoneta Fire Department in connection with the acquisition of fire fighting equipment and the development of the programs and facilities of the Fire Department.

Wapakoneta Women's Club Advised Fund - This Donor Advised Fund was endowed with the proceeds from the sale of the Women's Club building. The proceeds are to be used to support projects in the Wapakoneta area.

Wapakoneta Woman's Club Scholarship - Funded by the Wapakoneta Woman's Club, this scholarship is available to a graduating senior of Wapakoneta Senior High School with a grade point average between 2.7 and 3.2 who plans to pursue a 2 or 4 year degree.

Should you have a special interest in establishing this type of fund, please contact the Executive Director of the Wapakoneta Area Community Foundation, Larry R. Tester at 419-739-9223 or any officer or Trustee. We also advise you to consult your financial advisor.