Clinton County Foundation

What Clinton County Foundation does

Clinton County Foundation is a nonprofit community foundation established in 1986 and headquartered at 2251 Rombach Avenue, Wilmington, Ohio. It operates as a public charity under IRS code 501(c)(3) and serves Clinton County, Ohio by connecting donors (individuals, families, and businesses) with local causes through charitable funds, grants, and scholarships. The foundation manages over 100 funds and scholarships with assets exceeding $49 million as of the 2025/2026 board cycle, including donor-advised funds, field-of-interest funds, designated funds, agency funds, scholarship funds, and project funds. Core granting programs include HealthFirst (health-focused, since 2010), the LEGACY Fund (project-based, since 2019), and the Vallee Fund for Blanchester (place-based). In 2026 the foundation reported 137 scholarship awards totaling $277,760 across 85 individuals.

The foundation operates a digital platform stack consisting of three self-service portals: the Fund Advisor Portal (built on FC Suite), providing 24/7 access to fund statements and grant distribution requests; the Grant Portal (built on GrantInterface), supporting application submission and tracking across multiple grant programs; and the Scholarship Portal, which uses criteria-based matching to route applicants to eligible scholarships. Revenue mechanics rely on a 1% annual administrative fee plus a 0.63% annual investment management fee applied to fund balances; no setup fees are charged. Go-to-market is multi-channel: direct donor engagement via portals and events, professional advisor referral partnerships (operating since 1986), community events such as the annual Sporting Clays Classic and the One Day. One Clinton County giving day, and outreach through Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and email newsletter channels. The foundation also operates sub-brands including the 1810 Circle Society legacy giving program and the Patient Medication Assistance Program (PMAP) in collaboration with the Clinton County Health District.

Name

Clinton County Foundation

Legal name

Clinton County Foundation

Website

https://clintoncountyohiofoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Clinton County Foundation is a nonprofit community foundation in Wilmington, Ohio, established in 1986, managing over $49 million in charitable assets across 100+ funds and scholarships for donors, nonprofits, students, and professional advisors in Clinton County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Sponsors (BPAGAKAF), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE), Capacity Building & Nonprofit Infrastructure Funders (BPAGAKAO), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Community foundation services
• Donor-advised funds
• Charitable grant programs
• Scholarship administration
• Local philanthropy stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilmington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Administrative Fees: Annual administrative fee of 1% on fund balance, covering staff, compliance, grant processing, and reporting.
2. Investment Management Fees: 0.63% annually charged by investment managers based on portfolio selected.
3. Donations and Charitable Gifts: Accepts various forms of charitable contributions including cash donations, appreciated stock, life insurance, IRA assets, real estate, grain donations, and planned gifts through bequests or trusts.
4. Fund Setup: No charge to establish a new fund. Revenue generated through ongoing administrative fees rather than setup fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Clinton County Foundation is a community foundation that accepts charitable contributions from individuals, families, and businesses, manages those gifts through specialized fund vehicles (donor-advised, designated, field-of-interest, scholarship, agency, project, and unrestricted funds), and redistributes capital via competitive grant programs and scholarships to local nonprofits, students, and community causes in Clinton County, Ohio.

Product overview

The Clinton County Foundation is a community foundation that operates as a unified platform for charitable giving and community investment. The organization offers a portfolio of grant programs (HealthFirst, LEGACY Fund, Vallee Fund for Blanchester, and others), scholarship services, and various fund vehicles (donor-advised, designated, field of interest, agency, project, and unrestricted funds). It provides technology platforms including a Fund Advisor Portal, Grant Portal, and Scholarship Portal for managing donations, grants, and scholarships. The foundation connects donors with causes in education, health & wellness, and economic development throughout Clinton County, Ohio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HealthFirst: A multi-million-dollar fund dedicated to promoting good health of Clinton County residents through education, innovation, and patient care support. Evolved from the former CMH Foundation.
• LEGACY Fund
• Vallee Fund for Blanchester
• 1810 Circle Society

Products and services

• HealthFirst for Clinton County A multi-million-dollar grant program dedicated to promoting good health of Clinton County residents through education, innovation, and patient care support, including medication assistance programs and health awareness outreach. Targets local nonprofit organizations and health partners.
• LEGACY Fund A grant program focused on improving the health, welfare, and safety of Clinton County citizens through project-based funding of transformative ideas and creative, pioneering programs. Targets local nonprofit organizations and government entities.
• Vallee Fund for Blanchester A grant program dedicated to strengthening the Blanchester community and improving the lives of its citizens through project-based funding of transformative ideas and creative programs. Targets local nonprofits and community organizations in the Blanchester area.
• Donor-Advised Funds Funds allowing donors ongoing involvement in their charitable vision, recommending grants to causes important to them with administrative support from the foundation. Minimum $25,000 to open (can build to minimum over time with a pledge). Subject to 1% annual administrative fee plus 0.63% investment management fee. Targets individual donors and families.
• Designated Funds Funds providing reliable, ongoing support to one or more specific nonprofits, with the foundation handling all investment and administrative responsibilities. Subject to 1% annual administrative fee plus 0.63% investment management fee. Targets donors who want to support specific nonprofits.
• Field of Interest Funds Funds supporting a specific area of interest that donors define, with the foundation evaluating and granting to organizations doing the best work in that interest area. Subject to 1% annual administrative fee plus 0.63% investment management fee. Targets donors with defined cause priorities.
• Scholarship Programs Administered scholarship funds supporting educational advancement including countywide scholarships, school-specific scholarships, and adult learner scholarships across various disciplines. The foundation manages 42 scholarship funds. Targets high school seniors and adult learners in Clinton County.
• Scholarship Funds Donor-established funds that invest in students' academic and career goals, with donors determining criteria such as school, major, need, or geographic area. Minimum $25,000 to open. Subject to 1% annual administrative fee plus 0.63% investment management fee. Targets donors who want to support specific educational pathways.
• Unrestricted Funds Donations providing the foundation flexibility to support areas of greatest need in the county, supporting operating expenses or selected projects. Subject to 1% annual administrative fee plus 0.63% investment management fee. Targets donors who trust the foundation to allocate funds.
• Agency Funds Funds created by established nonprofits as a home for long-term assets or reserves, allowing investment through the foundation's options. Subject to 1% annual administrative fee plus 0.63% investment management fee. Targets local nonprofit organizations seeking permanent endowment management.
• Project Funds Funds for special purpose charitable projects such as capital campaigns or events, handling gift volume, pledges, and disbursements. Targets nonprofits and community organizations running specific fundraising projects.
• Grant Portal Online platform for submitting and tracking grant applications across multiple grant programs operated by the foundation. Targets local nonprofits and government entities applying for grants.
• Fund Advisor Portal 24/7 online portal providing fund advisors access to statements, transactions, agreements, and grant distribution requests. Targets fund advisors and donors managing active funds.
• Scholarship Portal Online platform for students to apply for scholarships, with a universal application that automatically matches applicants with scholarships based on criteria. Opens December 1 with a March 15 deadline. Targets high school seniors and adult learners.
• Patient Medication Assistance Program (PMAP) Community-based program helping individuals apply for medication assistance programs that provide free or reduced-cost medications. Operates in collaboration with Clinton County Health District and Board of Commissioners. Targets Clinton County residents needing medication assistance.
• 1810 Circle Society Legacy giving society for donors who leave gifts to the foundation through bequests, estate plans, or trust agreements. Targets donors interested in planned giving and estate planning.

Quantifiable outcome

• In 2026, 85 individuals received 137 awards totaling $277,760 in scholarships
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LEGACY FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Established in 2019 at the Clinton County Foundation with proceeds from the sale of Clinton Memorial Hospital. Focuses on improving health, welfare, and safety of Clinton County citizens through project-based funding. Awarded $301,666 to 11 organizations in 2024.
• HealthFirst of Clinton CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010HealthFirst is a multi-million-dollar fund of the Clinton County Foundation that evolved from the former CMH Foundation. Since December 2010, HealthFirst has awarded over $1.5 million to nonprofits promoting health. Operates Patient Medication Assistance Program (PMAP) in collaboration with Clinton County Health District and Board of Commissioners.
• Heather's HopeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Fund at Clinton County Foundation established in 2010 by Gretchen James and Adrienne Ahlers in memory of Heather. Supports Camp Korelitz for diabetic children at Camp Joy, organized by American Diabetes Association.
• Professional Advisors (Attorneys, CPAs, Financial Advisors)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1986Since 1986, the foundation has worked with professional advisors to identify and support the best charitable solutions for their clients. Advisors refer clients for fund setup, estate planning, and charitable giving strategies. Bill Peelle (Peelle Law Offices) and Karen Buckley (Buckley, Miller & Wright) are specifically mentioned as advisor partners.
• Wilmington CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBush Funds at Clinton County Foundation support Wilmington College through grants for mental health initiatives, therapeutic horse camp, and senior research projects. The foundation administers multiple scholarship funds for WC students.
• Clinton County Community Action Program (CCCAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCCAP receives grants from foundation including HealthFirst, LEGACY Fund, and direct foundation grants. Operates since 1965, providing poverty reduction programs including Head Start, Food Pantry, and senior housing.
• Clinton-Warren Joint Fire and Rescue DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLEGACY Fund provided specialized rescue equipment including Bullard Fire Attack panel, rope rescue items, water rescue equipment, and grain rescue tube. Enables local training for grain bin entrapment, rope rescue, and water rescue.
• Vallee Fund for BlanchestercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRichard and Shirley Vallee established fund at Clinton County Foundation to strengthen Blanchester community. Has awarded grants for fire department equipment, community gym restoration, school enrichment, and athletic facilities. Mission is transformative ideas serving those with greatest needs.
• Bush FundscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorge Bush named Clinton County Foundation as beneficiary in estate plans, creating Bush Funds for local nonprofits. Supports Wilmington College, fairground upgrades, and other community causes.
• Camp Joy / Camp KorelitzminorOthersCamp Korelitz at Camp Joy hosts diabetic children ages 5-15, supported by Heather's Hope fund at the foundation. Medical staff provides diabetic education and outdoor camp experience.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Community Trust: One of the largest and oldest community foundations in the U.S., managing nearly $10 billion in assets. Comparable in operating model (DAFs, scholarships, agency funds, competitive grant cycles) but operates at metropolitan scale with much broader programming and donor services.
• The Columbus Foundation: Ohio's largest community foundation, managing over $4 billion in assets and serving central Ohio. Directly comparable in mission and structure (donor-advised funds, scholarship administration, grantmaking, professional advisor partnerships) but at vastly greater scale and with a broader geographic footprint.
• Silicon Valley Community Foundation: Largest community foundation in the U.S. by asset size, known for its sophisticated donor-advised fund and impact investing offerings. Comparable in core fund vehicle offerings but serves a global high-net-worth donor base with materially larger scale and resources.

Direct peers

• Fayette County Foundation: Small Ohio community foundation serving Fayette County with similar fund offerings (DAFs, scholarships, agency funds) and a comparable lean staff model. Most directly comparable peer in terms of asset size and county-level service scope.
• The Dayton Foundation: Southwest Ohio community foundation offering donor-advised funds, scholarships, agency funds, and competitive grant cycles. Operates with very similar fund types, fee structures, and online donor portal features as Clinton County Foundation.
• Licking County Foundation: Ohio county community foundation with a comparable mix of donor-advised funds, scholarships, and grant programs. Operates at a similar small-to-mid scale with a single-county geographic focus.
• Greater Cincinnati Foundation: Major Ohio/Kentucky regional community foundation offering donor-advised funds, scholarship management, competitive grant cycles, and professional advisor partnerships. Closely comparable operating model with a similar mix of fund vehicles and online portal-based donor services.
• Highland County Foundation: Rural Ohio community foundation of similar scale administering donor-advised funds, scholarships, and local grant cycles. Closely comparable in geographic footprint, fund mix, and small-staff operating model.
• Wayne County Community Foundation: Small Ohio county-based community foundation of comparable scale, administering donor-advised funds, scholarships, and project funds for a single rural county. Highly comparable in operating model, fund structure, and community-focused grantmaking approach.

Regional players

• Foundation for Appalachian Ohio: Regional foundation serving 32 Appalachian Ohio counties with donor-advised funds, scholarships, and grantmaking. Comparable in mission and rural Ohio focus but operates a much larger multi-county footprint with affiliated fund structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CCFrocks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clinton-county-ohio-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/ccfoundation_

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Clinton County Foundation