Summary
Discover how one gift to the Defiance Area Foundation’s Community Fund creates endless impact this Giving Tuesday.
On Tuesday, December 2, communities around the world will celebrate Giving Tuesday. This global movement of generosity reminds us that giving is not just about what we do today, but about the legacy we leave behind.
At the Defiance Area Foundation, we have seen firsthand how one gift can ripple outward into countless lives. This year, our Giving Tuesday theme is simple:
The Power of One: One gift. Endless impact.
When you give to the Community Fund, you are not just making a donation. You are building a future where scholarships, nonprofits, and community projects continue to thrive long after Giving Tuesday has passed.
Why the Community Fund Matters
The Community Fund is the backbone of our work. It is flexible and responsive, allowing us to meet the ever-changing needs of Defiance County. From critical infrastructure upgrades to joyful community spaces, the Fund makes it possible to respond where the need is greatest.
Your one gift today becomes part of something larger. It joins with others to create a pool of generosity that strengthens every corner of our community, not just for this season but for years to come.
Stories of Endless Impact
A Legacy of Family Generosity
When Terri Stykemain passed in 2023, her family honored her memory by creating the Joe & Terri Stykemain Family Fund at the Defiance Area Foundation. Today, her children and grandchildren carry forward her spirit of service, ensuring her values of faith, family, and giving continue through generations.
Healing and Growth at Lily Creek Farms
A $10,000 Community Fund grant helped Lily Creek Farms complete vital electrical upgrades across their campus. These improvements keep their equine-assisted therapy programs safe and accessible, while sustaining vocational training through their orchard and farmer’s market. One grant did not just fund repairs. It secured the future of programs that transform lives every day.
Strengthening Community in Hicksville
The Hicksville Community Fund shows what is possible when neighbors come together. From parks to senior services, this Donor Advised Fund has already turned dreams into reality, like the Hicksville Splash Pad, a joyful gathering place for families. One community gift led to a project that enriches lives for generations.
Honoring Veterans Through the Sherwood VFW Fund
Since 2021, the Sherwood VFW Charity Fund has granted over $50,000 back to their community. Support has included scholarships for military families, local athletics, and honoring veterans at cemeteries across the area. They remind us that one group, united in purpose, can make a lasting difference for countless others.
Be the Power of One this Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is more than a single day on the calendar. It is a chance to choose generosity, to invest in what matters most, and to leave a legacy that endures.
When you give to the Defiance Area Foundation Community Fund, your one gift creates:
Safe and thriving spaces through community projects
Critical support for nonprofits serving neighbors in need
A legacy of generosity that lives on
This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to be the Power of One. Together, our gifts create an endless impact.
Make your one gift today:
