The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty is an organization steeped in community and dedication. They work to raise money for causes throughout West Chester and Liberty townships, helping other organizations and programs that affect the families in the area every day. From park cleanups to scholarship funds, the organization works to raise funds and supply support to every facet of the community. 

This kind of support is not a simple task – though the Community Foundation is certainly up to it. Fundraisers like the annual Key Event and the Golf Classic help mitigate some of the financial needs of the organization, but there’s always more to be done. To help ensure that the Community Foundation will be able to stand strong, the Forever Fund Endowment Campaign has been initiated. The goal of $5 million would help cement the Community Foundation’s presence in the region and cover its own expenses while working to improve the community through grant awards. The fund currently sits at $3.7 million, and people can still pledge to become a Forever Fund donor by making a gift of $25,000. Businesses can also contribute by pledging a donation to the Forever Fund.

"West Chester and Liberty Townships are exceptional communities with many needs," says Bill Schumacker, who, alongside his wife Lynne, chose to become a Forever Fund donor. "Our donation brings us a step closer to having a fully funded Forever Fund within the Foundation, which is the legacy Lynne and I wanted to create for our philanthropic goals of serving the community where we live."

The Cincinnati natives were each raised in families where working to provide for the good of the community was a common value. The two have continued to contribute to the Community Foundation and to their local neighborhoods by both pledging to the Forever Fund and volunteering in the community. 

"We believe the Community Foundation is in the business of bringing people together," says Lynne. "The Foundation’s existence makes the community discuss its needs and people can rally around those goals and get them accomplished. We have to depend on each other and we are stronger if we work together – the Forever Fund insures that our community will have a Community Foundation permanently to service our donors who have charitable intent. 

"It doesn’t matter the amount you give to the Forever Fund; whatever the size of the contribution, know that you are making a difference, in the lives of our community."

With a community as tightly woven as West Chester and Liberty, it’s easy to see the need for resident and business involvement – and why the Community Foundation is such a crucial piece of the philanthropic landscape within the region. 

The Forever Fund Endowment Campaign has grown to $3.7 million – a testament to the vision and dedication of the West Chester and Liberty community. But for the endowment to meet the goal of $5 million and secure the Community Foundation’s long-term role as a philanthropic leader, the organization must rally additional support from local families and businesses. By supporting the Forever Fund Endowment Campaign, donors are supporting vibrant community programs – an after school tutoring club, a food pantry restock, a local park rehabilitation – and creating a bright future for the West Chester/Liberty region. 

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty is located at 8366 Princeton Glendale Road, Suite A-2, West Chester, OH 45069. You can reach them at 513.874.5450 or visit their website at www.wclfoundation.com.