What is a Community Foundation?

As a Community Foundation, we are asked pretty regularly, “So…what do you do, exactly?”

We think this is an excellent question, and one we are excited to answer every time it comes up in conversation! To help answer that question, we compiled some definitions, stories and examples of what a community foundation is, how Greene Giving operates as a community foundation, and how you can get involved in creating a better and brighter Greene County for tomorrow!

According to a recent statistic, the United States has over 700 community foundations. Ohio alone has a pretty extensive list of community foundations that are spreading hope and doing good throughout our great state. If you are a nonprofit not located in Greene County but are looking for a community foundation to talk with, check out this extensive list of community foundations in Ohio to find the closest one to your community.

Below, we will answer what a community foundation is, share some tangible examples of our work, and provide ways for you to give back and get involved.

Community Foundation Defined

A community foundation is a public charity typically focusing on supporting a specific geographical area. For Greene County, that means primarily facilitating and pooling contributions to address needs and support charities including libraries, parks and schools.

You can think of a community foundation as an organization that helps support the business and technical needs of the nonprofit organizations, programs, foundations, etc. that operate within our county.

Greene Giving in Action

To help explain what we mean further, here are two real examples of how Greene Giving is able to help an organization in our county:

For the Fairborn Parks Foundation, we are able to act as an affiliate to help them be more proactive in seeking multiple avenues of revenue to improve the amenities around the City of Fairborn.
Through the Partners in Care Charitable Account, we are able to partner with the Council on Aging to help promote independence and quality of life for seniors in Greene County.

How to Get Involved

There are so many ways folks can get involved with the Greene County Community Foundation (Greene Giving).

Consider starting an account or contributing to a component.
Volunteering for activities and events
Helping the Community Foundation’s Special Committee on Public Education with scholarship.

April 23, 2026

Celebrating 25 Years of Greene Giving: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

Twenty-five years ago, a vision came to life in Greene County. One built on generosity, community, and the belief that people, when brought together, can create lasting change.

March 23, 2026

24th Annual Young’s Charity Bike Tour Returns with a Two-Day Ride

After years of anticipation, the Young’s Charity Bike Tour is bringing back a beloved tradition. For the first time since 2019, the ride returns to a two-day format, offering participants more time, more miles, and a deeper connection to the cause.

March 20, 2026

A Thoughtful Approach to Giving

My dad really impressed upon our family the principle that gratitude breeds generosity. He believed that when we take time to reflect on what we’ve been given, it naturally leads us to give to others. That mindset shaped the way he approached life, and it shaped our family as well.