Board of Directors

By: Herman Menapace,
Emeritus Committee for the Greene County Community Foundation

In 2001, Fred Gibson, Reed Madden, John Saraga and I had a concept because we believed we had a real opportunity to advance Greene County…to try to help make sure everybody had the chance at a healthy and productive life.

The idea blossomed into Greene County Community Foundation, d/b/a Greene Giving. Fred Gibson was the editor of the Greene County Dailies. Reed Madden was an insurance professional in Spring Valley and a member of the Greene County Board of Commissioners. John Saraga was mayor of Xenia.

From an initial $5,000 grant by the Greene County Community Improvement Corporation, over the years, a geographically diverse Board of Directors, caring and knowledgeable donors and volunteers moved Greene Giving to growth in assets as well as distributions and grants to the region.

At the forefront of the growth was the initial president, Dennis Phillips, 2002-2007, (Fairborn) and Greene Giving's assistant treasurer, Donna Luttrell, who served as a volunteer. Along with the initial officers as vice president, Fran O’Shaughnessy (Beavercreek); secretary, Ev Hodapp (Xenia) and treasurer, Michael Gardner (Jamestown/Yellow Springs), they began a legacy of accomplishment.

Mary Nutter (Beavercreek) became the next vice president, and in 2008, Joe Harkleroad (Cedarville) expanded his involvement as the second president and served until the end of 2009. Shannon Martin (Bellbrook) represents the ongoing phase of service as president for 2010 and 2011, through a comprehensive strategic plan completed by the Board of Directors.

They and the others on the Board of Directors work to bring Greene Giving from relatively modest beginnings to the current role of an innovative community foundation. Greene Giving provides significant options and programs for the entire region.

The vision is “to become and become known as an operationally sound, financially stable, progressive minded community foundation; ever expanding our capabilities and efficiencies in the administration of funds, both incoming and outgoing; that Greene Giving maintains prudence in a stewardship role.”

Fred Gibson, Reed Madden, John Saraga and I continue to believe in the opportunity to advance Greene County…to continue to help make sure everyone may enjoy the future of a healthy and productive life.

For a complete list of the Board of Directors, please refer to the Internal Revenue Service Form 990 here.