Fairfield County Foundation
The Fairfield County Foundation is a 501(c)(3) community foundation established in 1989 in Lancaster, Ohio. It was founded when Probate Judge S. Farrell Jackson challenged local citizens to form a foundation to keep significant trust funds invested locally. The Foundation operates as a philanthropic fundraising organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and economic viability of the Fairfield County community. It serves as a resource through which individuals, families, and organizations can direct charitable giving to benefit the community.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$76.4M
+9.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.0M
+59.7% YoY
Grant Count
69
+35.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$44K
+18.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: Building a legacy through philanthropy and stewardship to strengthen our community.
Vision Statement: The Fairfield County Foundation will lead the way in building a thriving and inclusive community that supports well-being and quality of life for all. The Foundation achieves this vision by:
- Responding to community priorities and needs by bringing resources and people together
- Prioritizing quality of life for the community
- Helping create an attractive place to live
- Connecting people from multi-generations and diverse backgrounds
- Supporting workforce development and empowerment
- Creating awareness about acceptance and the importance of inclusion
Primary Funding Areas:
- Educational programs and scholarships
- Arts and cultural initiatives
- Community progress and development
- Disaster relief
- Health and human services
- Environmental initiatives
- Scientific and medical purposes
- Social services
Grantmaking
The Foundation administers multiple types of funds including donor-advised funds, scholarship programs, and grant programs.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation primarily serves Fairfield County, Ohio and its residents. Grantmaking focuses on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services primarily in Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $76,355,879
- Total Revenue: $7.7 million
- Total Expenses: $5.76 million
- Total Liabilities: $10.1 million
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $70,024,648
- Total Revenue: $6,779,760
- Total Expenses: $3,970,512
Staffing:
- Employees: 6
- Volunteers: 15
Additional Financial Details:
- The Foundation operates a donor-advised fund
- Investment income (2022): $2,207,571
- Program service revenue (2022): $623,195
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $76,355,879 | $70,024,648 | $59,708,266 |
| Revenue | $7,695,218 | $6,779,760 | $5,979,671 |
| Expenses | $5,761,940 | $3,970,512 | $4,424,946 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,761,077 | $2,082,799 | $2,207,571 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Fairfield County Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Fairfield County Agricultural Socie ($600,000), Gametime ($495,535), Lancaster Festival ($279,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 91 PLACE INC INDIANAPOLIS, IN | RELIGIOUS | $25,000 |
| ALL ACCESSIBLE SPORTS COMPLEX & PK LANCASTER, OH | FIELD OF INTEREST | $10,000 |
| ALS ASSOCIATION ARLINGTON, VA | FIELD OF INTEREST | $10,000 |
| ALUMNI ASSOC AMANDA CLEARCREEK HS AMANDA, OH | ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS | $41,475 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF SC OHIO LANCASTER, OH | UNRESTRICTED | $30,000 |
| BALTIMORE AREA MUSEUM CORP BALTIMORE, OH | FIELD OF INTEREST | $37,400 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF FAIRFIE LANCASTER, OH | AGENCY WITHDRAW | $30,000 |
| BOTTOMS UP DIAPER DRIVE LANCASTER, OH | DONOR ADVISED DONATI | $30,000 |
| CHASE HALEY PROJECT FUND LANCASTER, OH | COMMUNITY PROGRESS | $9,049 |
| CONCRETE ORKIDZ FOUNDATION COLUMBUS, OH | AFTERSCHOOL PGM SUPP | $12,100 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Foundation maintains a Board of Trustees composed of 15 voting members, all of whom are independent. Local citizens have served on the Board from the Foundation's inception to provide community-based governance.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMY EYMAN | CEO | 40 | $118,264 |
| MARTIN BAKER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| LYNN BARBOZA | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MOLLY BATES | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CHRIS CLAYPOOL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RON COLLINS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| EILEEN COMPETTI | CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| MIKE LIEBER | PAST CHAIRMA | 1 | — |
| LEWATIS MCNEAL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JODIE PHAYER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RICK RICKETTS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CHERI RUSSO | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER SITTERLY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CONNOR SMITH | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| DEBRA SMITH | VICE CHAIRMA | 1 | — |
| EDIE WAUGH | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation celebrated 35 years of community service in 2024. The 2024 Annual Report highlights that the Foundation's impact extends across Fairfield County, from the arts to social services, from classrooms to community centers, and from Pickerington to Sugar Grove. The Foundation announced Cycle 2 grant recipients and continues to administer multiple grant cycles throughout the year.
Fairfield County Foundation Announces Cycle 2 Grant RecipientsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Fairfield County Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** Building a legacy through philanthropy and stewardship to strengthen our community. **Vision Statement:** The Fairfield County Foundation will lead the way in building a thriving and inclusive community that supports well-being and quality of life for all. The Foundation achieves this vision by: • Responding to community priorities and needs by bringing resources and people together • Prioritizing quality of life for the community • Helping create an attractive place to l…
How do I apply for a grant from Fairfield County Foundation?
The Foundation administers multiple types of funds including donor-advised funds, scholarship programs, and grant programs. **Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $4,225,235 • Typical award range: $5,040–$600,000 • Recent notable grants (2023): • Lancaster Festival (Endowment Fund): $516,446 • Decorative Arts Center of Ohio (Endowment Fund): $165,960 **Program Areas:** • Scholarship programs for students who are residents of Fairfield County, Ohio and/or graduates from Fairfield County hig…
Where does Fairfield County Foundation make grants?
The Foundation primarily serves Fairfield County, Ohio and its residents. Grantmaking focuses on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services primarily in Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia.
What size grants does Fairfield County Foundation award?
In 2024, Fairfield County Foundation awarded 69 grants totaling $3.0M — an average of about $44K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Fairfield County Foundation's EIN?
Fairfield County Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1623983. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fairfield County Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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