Legacy Run Establishes Fund
A “rock-n’” good time was had by all. Over 150 runners and walkers participated in the first Rock-N-Run held by Legacy in October. The young professional organization is using race proceeds– over $7,000 - to establish The Legacy Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF). The Legacy Fund will be part of GCF’s Northern Kentucky Family of Funds and will benefit nonprofit organizations serving the Northern Kentucky area.

Legacy has a strong relationship with GCF and The Northern Kentucky Fund.  Past presidents of Legacy, A.J. Schaeffer, Jason Jackman and Traci Griffin, serve on the advisory board of The Northern Kentucky Fund. Immediate past Legacy president Donna Bloemer will join the advisory board in January.

“It’s impressive that the members of Legacy have the foresight to set up a fund with GCF,” Megan Elicker, regional giving strategies officer of GCF, said. “It demonstrates Legacy’s commitment to giving back to Northern Kentucky.”

Northern Kentucky Fund Welcomes New Advisory Board Members
The Northern Kentucky Fund recently welcomed new members to the Northern Kentucky Fund Advisory Board. The Northern Kentucky Advisory Board includes some of the region's most talented individuals.

The new board members are:

• Traci Griffin, Immediate Past President of Legacy

Northern Kentucky Donors and Charities Celebrated
The Northern Kentucky Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) celebrated $384,000 grant dollars impacting Northern Kentucky on April 21 at the Drees Pavilion. Guests included contributors to The Northern Kentucky Fund and organizations that received grants in 2004.

In 2004, 15 grants were awarded to nonprofits in Northern Kentucky through GCF’s quarterly responsive grantmaking process totaling $326,350. In addition, 66 mini-grants, a grant review process for schools and nonprofits offering summer learning opportunities, were awarded within Northern Kentucky totaling approximately $58,000.

The Celebration of Philanthropy was also an opportunity to honor several people involved in The Northern Kentucky Fund. Ralph Drees presented the 2005 The Devou Cup to R.C. Durr in recognition of his significant philanthropic contributions. Durr has made many gifts to the Northern Kentucky region. The Devou Cup was created in 2004 to honor the generosity of a donor who has made a profound difference in the quality of community life in Northern Kentucky, today and tomorrow. The award was named The Devou Cup in honor of the generosity exemplified by William Devou, a 19th century philanthropist.

“We were pleased to select R.C. Durr as the 2005 Devou Cup recipient,” Karen Zerhusen Kruer, GCF’s director of regional funds said. “He exemplifies the spirit of generosity which Mr. Devou demonstrated in our region years ago.  We are confident that Mr. Durr’s contributions to our community will also inspire others to give, today and tomorrow.” 

The “Haile Challenge” was announced at the event. Ralph Haile has made an annual commitment of $150,000 to The Northern Kentucky Fund. The Fund’s Advisory Board is challenging Northern Kentucky residents to match his gift each year. Dan Groneck, president of U.S. Bank Northern Kentucky accepted a certificate of appreciation on behalf of Haile, Groneck’s predecessor at U.S. Bank.

Ted Robinson, the former chair of The Northern Kentucky Advisory Board, was thanked for his three years of service. Nancy Cooper was recognized for her work on the GCF Grants Review Committee.

Speakers at the event included The Northern Kentucky Fund’s Advisory Board Chair Sue Flischel and Kathryn E. Merchant, GCF’s President/CEO. Barbara Gunn, President /CEO of Senior Services of Northern Kentucky, discussed the impact of her organization’s grant. She said the monies were used to improve the transportation of Meals on Wheels food.

Ralph Drees, R.C. Durr and Deborah Jo Durr are pictured.