Green Community Fund chair says pledges top $250,000, outlines ways residents can give

At Tuesday's Green City Council meeting Barry Hollis, chair of the Green Community Fund, told council members the endowment has "secured pledges and donations of over a quarter million dollars." Hollis, who identified himself and said he serves as the fund's chairman, said the fund is a permanent endowment designed to provide a steady, perpetual stream of grant support to local nonprofits.

The fund will make annual grants to organizations that advance cultural, educational, health and civic well-being in Green, Hollis said. He detailed recent gifts from local business owner Dale Bratt, Don Taylor of Welty — who built the building where the meeting was held — and an anonymous prominent local couple, and he described the fund as a donor-advised fund hosted by the Akron Community Foundation.

Hollis explained donation options and said some donors use required minimum distributions from individual retirement accounts, while others give stock, real estate or interests in private businesses. "We've now achieved another milestone and we've secured pledges and donations of over a quarter million dollars," Hollis said, noting the fund is working with the Akron Community Foundation to manage giving and donor services.

Hollis also introduced officers who will help guide the fund's work, naming Kelly Schultz (Schultz Realty) as vice chair, Carson Evans (Jeff Evans Insurance) as treasurer and Mike Jones (former Boy Scouts CEO) as secretary. He said communications director Valerie Wolford, who also serves on the committee, can provide residents with instructions on how to donate.

Council members thanked Hollis for the update. Hollis said he expects to return to council with further milestones as fundraising continues.