Ross Community Foundation Welcomes Lisa Bosse to its Board of Directors

The Ross Community Foundation (RCF) is excited to announce the addition of Lisa Bosse to its Board of Directors. With her extensive background in corporate communications, project management, and community involvement, Lisa brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the Ross community.

Lisa Bosse commented, "I am thrilled to be part of the Ross Community Foundation. This organization is making a meaningful impact on families and individuals right here in our community, not just today but for years to come. Ross is a community rich in history and spirit. While some face challenges, the Foundation is building our capacity to enhance lives and build a stronger community and I want to be a part of that."

Throughout her career, Lisa has been actively involved in community service, including volunteering through her role at Fifth Third Bank with organizations such as the Free Store Foodbank in Cincinnati, Mathew 25 Ministries, and the Ronald McDonald House. Her passion for supporting the community aligns perfectly with the mission of RCF.

Board members are the backbone of community non-profits, providing vital connections to the community, vision, and leadership. Their role is crucial in guiding the organization's direction and ensuring its impact is both meaningful and sustainable.

Martha Mehl, Chair of the RCF Board, expressed her enthusiasm: “We are delighted to welcome Lisa to the Ross board. Her impressive professional background, coupled with her dedication to community service, makes her an invaluable addition to the Ross team. We look forward to her contributions and the fresh perspective she will bring to our work.”

The Ross Community Foundation has made significant strides in supporting local initiatives and organizations. Most recently, the Foundation awarded grants as part of its annual 'Community Harvest Campaign', demonstrating its ongoing commitment to addressing health, education, and social issues in the Ross area.

Lisa Bosse has resided in Ross with her husband Steve for 19 years. They are proud parents to three sons, Andrew (Dianna), Alex, and Adam, and doting grandparents one grandchild. Her personal and professional journey exemplifies a dedication to community service and leadership, qualities that will greatly benefit the Ross Community Foundation.

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The Ross Community Foundation (RCF) was established in 2022 as an affiliate organization of the Hamilton Community Foundation. RCF has 48 founders and donors who gifted more than $500,000 to create an unrestricted grant fund. The Ross Community Foundation has made significant strides in supporting the work of local non- profit organizations and programs that specifically support the Ross communities. With focus on Need, Impact, & Merit the Foundation awarded grants in 2023 demonstrating its ongoing commitment to education, food availability,& neighborhood needs.

For more information about the Ross Community Foundation and its initiatives, please contact Martha Mehl, Board Chair, at 513-738-0909 or Jacob Stone-Welch, Director of Donor Services, at 513-341-6985..

Lifelong Resident of Ross Gives First Legacy Gift to Foundation

Bernice Huff Roop moved to Ross with her family when she was six years old. Her journey may have taken her out of Ross briefly, but she moved back permanently her freshman year of high school. She’s been a Ross Ram ever since.

Ross is where Bernice lived and loved, raised her children and yes, even lost. After 25 years of marriage her husband passed away. She would marry again and create a career for herself as a lab technician at P&G. Bernice has the distinct honor of holding a patent through P&G with only her name attached.

“People tell me it’s a big deal,” she laughs, “I guess it kind of is.”

When Bernice and her husband retired their investor encouraged them to start a charitable remainder trust.

“Giving back to the community was important to both of us,” she says. “I’ve always been thankful for what I have and this way whatever remained of the Trust after my passing would go to charities we had chosen.”

In addition to some other organizations Bernice has chosen to leave a portion of her trust to the Ross Community Foundation, the first Legacy, or estate gift, the Foundation has received.

“We just don’t have words for how grateful we are that Bernice has chosen to support the RCF in this way. We are humbled and grateful that she has entrusted us with this incredibly personal gift,” says Martha Mehl, RCF Board Chair.

There are a myriad of ways that a person can give to a Community Foundation, the Legacy gift is a particularly impactful way.

“Estate gifts and bequests are critical aspects of a Community Foundation,” says Jacob Stone-Welch, Director of Donor Services for the Hamilton Community Foundation. “These gifts support the community in perpetuity. Bernice’s gift literally leaves a legacy that will last forever and the community is the ultimate beneficiary.”

“We are just glad we have been able to thank Bernice personally for this honor,” says Mehl.

For information about how to become a Legacy member of the Ross Community Foundation or how to support the Foundation, call Martha Mehl at 513-738-0909 or Jacob Stone-Welch at 513-341-6985.

The Ross Community Foundation (RCF) was established in 2022 as an affiliate organization of the Hamilton Community Foundation. RCF has 38 founding families and/or businesses who donated more than $500,000 to create an unrestricted grant fund to support Ross organizations and families. RCF is focused on health, social issues and education. They continue to grow in scope and impact.

Ross Benefits from First Ross Community Foundation Grants

Ross, OH – Give where you live has been the rallying cry of the Ross Community Foundation (RCF) Advisory Board for a year now. Today they are celebrating the fruits of their labor with grant awards, their first as a grant making organization.

“We as a Board have been so determined to raise money for the Ross Community Foundation,” says Martha Mehl, RCF Advisory Board President. “We were determined because we know the day would come when we could put money to great use right here in Ross.”

The Ross Community Foundation Advisory Board recently met to review grant applications in the Foundation’s first grant cycle.

“It’s quite an accomplishment within a year of establishing themselves to be awarding grants in their community,” says John Guidugli, CEO and President of the Hamilton Community Foundation, the parent Foundation to RCF. “We are impressed with their dedication and certainly the Ross community is seeing how a Community Foundation can truly benefit them.

Arts, Hunger, Education and Human Need were the focus of the first round of approved grants and the Board would have liked to have done more! Grants were given to the following:

RLS Choral Program: $2,500 was granted to Ross Local Schools to help offset the cost of choral uniforms for families who need assistance.

Butler Philharmonic: $2,500 to support concert costs in the Ross area, thereby promoting local access to the arts.

Ross Township Historical Society: $500 for equipment that will allow the Historical Society to conduct historical presentations and displays.

St. Joseph Consolidated School: $5,000 to support the purchase of doors for the first-grade classes that can be safely locked and safety stenciling for outside doors.

Ross and Morgan Ministries (RAMM): $5,000 for pantry items, particularly meat, for families in need.

Inspiration Studios: $2,000 for clients to create mural at the Ross Firehouse.

Ross Local Schools: $4,000 for language arts intervention materials to help students with reading and writing instruction who have fallen behind in these areas of study.

Harts for Hope: $2,250 for neighborhood initiatives that bring people together and create a sense of community.

Ross Middle School: $3,200 for Jump Start Summer Band Camp

For information about how to get involved in the Ross Community Foundation, call Katie Braswell, Vice President at 513-805-0220.

The Ross Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Hamilton Community Foundation.

The Ross Community Foundation (RCF) was established in 2022 as an affiliate organization of the Hamilton Community Foundation. RCF has 38 founding families and/or businesses who donated more than $500,000 to create an unrestricted grant fund to support Ross organizations and families. RCF is focused on health and social issues and education. They continue to grow their young organization in assets.

See pictures from the RCF check presentations!

  20 March 2023 

Ross Community Foundation Looks Forward to Supporting Local Organizations with Grants

Ross, Ohio – After setting, and surpassing, an aggressive fundraising goal, the board of the Ross Community Foundation is eager to award their first grants to support the community. 

“It’s been impressive watching the board work,” says John Guidugli, President and CEO of the Hamilton Community Foundation. “They never wavered from their goal.” 

The goal that Guidugli speaks of is the board’s intent to raise $500,000 by the end of 2022, within a six month timeframe.

 “The entire board worked very hard to accomplish this objective,” says Martha Mehl, board chair of the Ross Community Foundation.  “Of course we credit our generous founding members who donated to our cause and embraced our mission to create a perpetual vehicle that will support Ross now and into the future.”

The future of the foundation starts now as the board prepares to offer grants for the first time in 2023. As an affiliate of the Hamilton Community Foundation, RCF has access to the guidance and expertise of the HCF team as well as the established structure of processes and procedures.

Now the work begins to pour some of the funds raised back into the community. For organizations who serve the Ross community there were two informational sessions about the granting process. Sessions focused on how to apply online and walked participants through the application process.

RCF will award their first grants in May. Applications are currently being accepted through the online portal of the Hamilton Community Foundation. Applications are open until 5:00 pm on April 15.

Learn more about the Ross Community Foundation at www.rosscommunityfoundation.org

The Ross Community Foundation (RCF) was established in 2022 as an affiliate organization of the Hamilton Community Foundation. RCF has 38 founding families and/or businesses who donated more than $500,000 to create an unrestricted grant fund to support Ross organizations and families. RCF is focused on health and social issues and education. They continue to grow their young organization in assets.

Ross Community Foundation Looks Forward to Supporting Local Organizations

Board surpasses fundraising goal

Ross, Ohio – After setting, and surpassing, an aggressive fundraising goal, the board of the Ross Community Foundation is eager to award their first grants to support the community.

“It’s been impressive watching the board work,” says John Guidugli, President and CEO of the Hamilton Community Foundation. “They never wavered from their goal.”

The goal that Guidugli speaks of is the board’s intent to raise $500,000 by the end of 2022, within a six month timeframe.

“The entire board worked very hard to accomplish this objective,” says Martha Mehl, board chair of the Ross Community Foundation.  “Of course we credit our generous founding members who donated to our cause and embraced our mission to create a perpetual vehicle that will support Ross now and into the future.”

The future of the foundation starts now as the board prepares to offer grants for the first time in 2023. As an affiliate of the Hamilton Community Foundation, RCF has access to the guidance and expertise of the HCF team as well as the established structure of processes and procedures.

“We have already reaped enormous benefits from our affiliation with Hamilton,” says Mehl. “They have been super hands on and supportive.”

For organizations who serve the Ross community there will be an informational session about the granting process. Two dates have been set for the sessions, which will take place in the Media Center at Ross High School; Friday, February 27 from 6 – 8 and Saturday, March 4 from 9 – 11. Representatives from local organizations are welcome to attend one or the other of the sessions in order to become more familiar with the Ross Community Foundation. RSVPs can be made to Marth Mehl at [email protected].

Learn more about the Ross Community Foundation at www.rosscommunityfoundation.org

The Ross Community Foundation (RCF) was established in 2022 as an affiliate organization of the Hamilton Community Foundation. RCF has 38 founding families and/or businesses who donated more than $500,000 to create an unrestricted grant fund to support Ross organizations and families. RCF is focused on health and social issues and education. They continue to grow their young organization in assets.