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From its inception in 1985, the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation was established to support projects that focus on agricultural education, agricultural environmental issues and economic development for agricultural communities. Currently, the Foundation is working toward new initiatives to become better funded to accomplish its goals.

According to OFBF Vice President of Corporate Affairs Bob Vance, Farm Bureau members can receive multiple benefits as participants with the Foundation: gifts are tax deductible, and county Farm Bureaus soon will be able to receive grants from the OFB Foundation for approved projects. The Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit, charitable organization. As a public foundation, it is classified as a 509c3 supporting organization for the Ohio Farm Bureau.

Vance said as the Foundation moves forward, it will secure and focus on what he termed four legs on the stool:

1. Annual giving programs – Annual giving is giving that takes place as a person feels led to give, whether on an ongoing basis or as a one-time gift. The recent donations to the Nationwide/Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center are examples of annual giving. However, annual gifts are often given for nonspecific purposes.
2. Planned giving programs – Planned giving occurs when someone decides to donate part of his or her assets to the Foundation at a later date. This is a new capability of the Foundation and affords donors the opportunity to donate real estate, stocks, annuities or other assets to the Foundation.
3. Darwin Bryan Scholarship Fund – The Darwin Bryan Fund is gifted separately from other Foundation giving, Vance said. Darwin Bryan’s family set up the scholarship with a specific purpose. To date, more than 80 Darwin Bryan scholarships have been awarded. A Foundation goal is to increase the funds in this area so more scholarships can be given.
4. Grants – As the Foundation receives more money, grants will be made available to county Farm Bureaus. Vance said a protocol is being created to determine the criteria that must be met to receive a grant. "Our goal is to become the center for grant activity," he said, both in applying for grants for the OFB Foundation and for awarding grants.

A new, updated Web site is in the process of being created, as are programs to recognize donor contributions and to establish donor and alumni relations with the Foundation. In addition to the annual golf outing fundraiser, additional targeted fundraising events are being planned.

"We’re rebuilding now for a renewed Foundation campaign in 2005," Vance said. "We want to be the No. 1 agricultural foundation in the state."