As we near the end of March, recognized as Women's History Month, I have been reflecting on the trailblazing women in our community who have left a lasting impact. Among them are Dorothy and Elizabeth King, two remarkable sisters who grew up on Erie Avenue in Lorain and were dedicated to serving their community.

Rachel Ocasio | Relationship Manager

Meet Rachel Ocasio, the Relationship Manager at the Community Foundation of Lorain County, who recently celebrated her 10th anniversary in March. Rachel is a jack-of-all-trades with a broad understanding of just about everything. She bridges the gap between donors and grantees and builds meaningful one-on-one relationships.

Registration Deadline March 31!

Connect to a Cause 2023 is right around the corner, and we are excited to announce that non-profit organizations who wish to participate must register by March 31st. This annual event brings together local non-profits and community members for a day of learning, networking, and supporting worthy causes, on September 21st 8 am-8 pm.

Education & Youth Development Community Grant Cycle

The Education & Youth Development Community Grant Cycle opens on March 1 and closes on April 1. Education & Youth Development Grant Awards will be announced by July 2023.

NTEE Codes: B and O

Cleveland Clinic Cycle 1 Partnership Application

Our partners at Cleveland Clinic are now accepting applications for the 2023 Cycle 1 Partnership until March 31. Partnership requests must align with at least one of the following categories: Heal, Hire, or Invest. Apply now to partner with Cleveland Clinic and make a difference in our community.

Neighbor Night aims to foster relationships, establish reliance, and motivate progress. Whether you seek to advance a concept or maintain relationships with your fellow residents of Lorain County, Neighbor Night provides an excellent launching point. Please join us on Thursday, April 27th, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at Lorain's Harrison Cultural Community Center. Individuals of all ages are invited, and complimentary childcare services will be available.

In memory of William Otis Jordan, aka Billy, a lifelong swimmer who passed away unexpectedly in June 2022, the I Can Swim My Way project was established by community member and Billy's older sister, Gloria Buxton,to promote water safety education and provide free swim lessons for children. The program will fund free swim lessons for students through the Lorain County Metro Parks at Splash Zone in Oberlin in honor of Billy's passion for swimming.

We are pleased to announce the conclusion of another successful scholarship process, thanks to the generosity of our community. Our scholarship committee is working hard to read applications, and we look forward to announcing the awards in late May. With your support, we were able to provide educational opportunities for deserving students in our area. We want to thank all our donors and fund holders dedicated to our community's students. Let's continue to make a positive impact on our community together.

As someone who frequently speaks with donors about their charitable giving, I am grateful for the opportunity to help individuals create a legacy that supports causes that matter to them. One question that frequently arises in these conversations is, "Why is it so complicated and expensive to support the causes I care about?"

The truth is legacy and estate giving does not have to be tied to creating a foundation or trust account at a bank.

The 2023 Inspiring Women Series begins on Tuesday April 18th, starting at 8:30am- with Leadercast Women – Amplify Your Voice. Research indicates that women routinely feel undervalued and unappreciated in the workplace. Our own Britt Lovett will be the moderator! Amplify Your Voice is designed to address this problem. It is tailored to help women discover the unique value of their voice and how to share their wisdom, passions, and ideas. You will learn to unlock your potential and stand out in a noisy world.

Attendance fee is $59 each, or a table of six for $300.

Our Hispanic Fund will be hosting the annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser on April 22 from, 6:00 pm-11:00 pm at Antlers Hotel to fund Latinx Scholarship. Each student who receives an education or advanced training has the power to uplift the entire Latino community. By becoming a part of this mission, you can help create a brighter future for us all. Tickets are available.

The Women’s Fund continues to work to combat period poverty in Lorain County through our Change the Cycle Initiative. As a chapter of the Alliance for Period Supplies, we have been able to secure 90,000 menstrual pads at a significantly reduced cost. Due to the volume of this shipment, we will be making these available to Lorain County non-profit organizations, schools, and churches for FREE.

Celebration of Philanthropy

Cindy shares her heartwarming experience of meeting Community Foundation scholarship recipient, Manimone and a friend at the Celebration of Philanthropy Gala held at Baldwin Wallace University.

Mercy Health Fair

Michelle and Linda from the Women’s Fund enjoyed educating our community about period poverty at the Mercy Health Fair at Great Lakes!

Harvest for Hunger Kick-off

Jamie, Britt, and Cindy had a wonderful time attending the Second Harvest Harvest for Hunger Kick-off with Naga, the President and CEO of Nordson Corporation. As proud supporters of Second Harvest Food Bank and its Harvest for Hunger campaign, we are honored to be part of a collaborative effort to provide food to those in need.

Lifesavers Ball

Jamie had the privilege of attending the Lifesaver Ball for the American Cancer Society, where she learned from Dr. Zolli that the event is the longest-running cancer society event across the nation.