City Schools Foundation joins Community Foundation as affiliate

Joe Lyons • November 8, 2024

ASHLAND – A recently established affiliate agreement between the Ashland County Community Foundation and the Ashland City Schools Foundation will allow the latter to be able to better meet the needs of the City Schools while enabling the Community Foundation to increase its reach in the community.

This affiliation allows a streamlining of operations, while providing increased opportunities to develop and grow a solid base of philanthropic support. 

Incorporating into the Community Foundation’s operations will allow ACSF to focus its efforts on fundraising and meeting the needs of Ashland City Schools. The ACSF now operates as an advisory committee to the Community Foundation and has a new web presence at www.ashlandforgood.org/acsf.

ACCF and ACSF have worked closely together prior to this agreement, with ACCF previously holding an agency endowment fund for ACSF. A few years ago, the organizations began working together to administer their previously-separate Teacher Mini-Grant programs. This collaboration allowed applicants from Ashland City Schools to apply once and be considered for one or both foundations’ available grant dollars. Over the years, the relationship has grown until there was talk of affiliation.

“The expertise of the foundation has allowed us to grow,” said Dwight McElfresh, advisory chair for the ACSF. “It allows the City Schools Foundation to operate more fluidly.”

The ACSF’s close ties with the City Schools enable it to direct donors to the best use of their dollars. The advisory committee knows what is most needed at the schools because they are in close contact with the schools’ staff. With this affiliation, donors will have the expertise of the ACCF to make sure that their dollars can be invested efficiently and with maximum benefit.

“At ACCF, we continue to seek affiliate partners like ACSF, for whom we can provide administrative value while they concentrate their efforts on executing their mission. This winning formula increases efficiency, leverages intellectual and financial resources to a higher degree and allows considerably more community needs to be met,” said Jim Cutright, President/CEO of ACCF.

Additionally, this agreement allows the ACCF to serve nonprofit organizations and the community at an increased level.

“In working together, we’re able to make our grantmaking dollars stretch as far as possible and make the greatest impact – focusing on each entities’ priorities and strategizing to meet as many needs as possible, in the greatest way possible,” Cutright said.

About Ashland City Schools Foundation: Ashland City Schools Foundation, an affiliate of Ashland County Community Foundation, was founded in 1994 as the Ashland City Schools Academic Foundation by members of the class of 1942 and Dr. R. Lee Schafer. Since then, ACSF has generated close to $1 million in donations from AHS alumni, retired teachers, corporations, foundations and friends. These funds are used throughout the year to support Ashland City Schools with teacher grants and other special programs/contributions.

Projects that have stemmed from the City Schools Foundation’s efforts over the years have included the City Schools Libraries LinkNet, Archer Auditorium, Keith Wygant Fieldhouse and Project Pavise, as well as recognizing notable alumni.

For more information about Ashland City Schools Foundation, visit www.ashlandforgood.org/acsf.

About Ashland County Community Foundation: Ashland County Community Foundation advances philanthropy and improves the quality of life in Ashland County by connecting people who care with causes that matter. ACCF has awarded over $33 million in scholarships, grants and distributions.