2010 Marietta Community Foundation Annual Report

VISION insight, foresight, inspiration, innovation
the Foundation’s Vision
By Mark Schwendeman, Chair
Foundation visionaries Sue
marsch and Bill thompson
many, if not all, of you knew Bill thompson, our beloved friend, and significant supporter
of the Marietta Community Foundation. Bill’s love for the City of Marietta and all of its
attributes were part of his being. He had a vision for our community that would make
Marietta the model for the essence of small town America. Bill’s career affiliation with
Marietta College and his involvement in our community gave him the unique perspective
to see what “can be” for Marietta. Bill had a “Vision.”
I had the good fortune of spending a great deal of time with Bill. We shared the same
vision. Marietta is truly a Gem and we have the opportunity to capitalize on all of its assets. We are so very fortunate
to have all of the assets that this community possesses. With the natural beauty of our rolling hills, two rivers, the good
fortune of having an interstate highway that touches our city’s border, a wonderful healthcare system, and two
excellent higher educational institutions, not to mention a lifestyle that many would only dream of, we are extremely
fortunate. Bill and I both agreed that we want to share that vision with not only our community, but with other people
that would enjoy what Marietta and our surrounding area have to offer.
The Foundation’s Board shares our vision. The Board believes that this vision for the future of Marietta is a fundamental
part of the Marietta Community Foundation’s mission going forward. As a Community Foundation, we have the
unique ability to act as a convener and a facilitator, bringing together groups and individuals to focus on the
common goal of making Marietta the model “small town America.”
It is hard to believe, however, through the generous support of many individuals and organizations our Community
Foundation has grown to over $10 million in assets and has granted in excess of $11 million collectively to hundreds of
organizations. This generosity truly indicates our community’s commitment to share in the future vision for our area.
While the Foundation will not lose sight of our current responsibilities to support individuals and organizations that
make such a difference in the lives of so many people, the Board truly believes we have the opportunity to create a
path forward that will have a lasting impact on the economic opportunities and quality of life for the citizens of our
area.
To make this all happen the Vision committee was created. Individuals representing several key organizations within
our Area convened and the Vision process began. The committee’s main goals are to raise the awareness of and
interest in Marietta, Ohio as the ideal small community to live and to raise a family, or to retire in a comfortable and
safe setting. Furthermore, Marietta and its surrounding area is an ideal place to locate a business, with excellent
resources and hard-working people to serve as the employees. We truly have all the ingredients; we just need to
communicate the message.
To achieve the Foundation’s goals funding was necessary…
In 2009, Sue Marsch, a longtime friend of Marietta, the Foundation and Bill
Thompson, passed away. Many years ago, Ms. Marsch created an unrestricted
fund in memory of her parents, the Karl D. and Anna Schultheis Marsch Fund,
and to continue her family’s legacy, left an unrestricted gift to the Marietta
Community Foundation. Those who knew Ms. Marsch, knew of her love for
Marietta. The Foundation’s Board decided it would be fitting to have her gift
support the work of Vision.
So here we are today. Our Vision is ongoing, with the committee working
diligently to develop the collateral to market our community. Videos, a Web
site, and marketing plans are being developed to promote our assets and to
attract potential citizens from outside of our area. We look forward to sharing
our Vision with you, and to gain your support in helping the Foundation to
achieve its mission. We want everyone to know the Gem that Marietta truly is!
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