COLUMBUS — The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation wants to raise $15 million over the next five years to fund scholarships and leadership development, community-based economic development and natural resources conservation efforts.
The campaign, launched Dec. 3 during Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting, hopes to attract annual or unrestricted contributions that are available immediately, as well as long-term, endowment-type donations.
The foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, currently has a $1.6 million asset base, according to Chris Baker, director of development.
Meeting attendees were asked to pledge to the campaign during a kickoff breakfast highlighting past foundation scholarship and grant award winners. By the end of the annual meeting, an initial $40,000 had been raised from pledges and the silent and live auctions, according to Foundation Executive Director Shawn Cleveland.
The foundation is set up to work with a variety of gifts, from trusts and annuities, to gifts of cash, securities or real property, as well as bequests and other options.“We want to be the charity of choice within the ag space,” Baker said.
For information about the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation and the Strong Foundation campaign, visit ofbf.org/foundation or call 614-246-8904.
