Whether you’re passionate about education, the arts, local nonprofits, or supporting families in need, the Defiance Area Foundation offers a variety of fund options tailored to your philanthropic goals. Every fund plays a part in creating a stronger, more vibrant Defiance County.
At the Defiance Area Foundation, we offer multiple types of charitable funds to match your vision for giving. Each fund is professionally managed, and our team is here to help you choose the best option for your goals.
The Community Fund is the heart of the Defiance Area Foundation’s mission, a flexible, responsive fund created to meet the most pressing needs in Defiance County. With every dollar donated, we’re able to award impactful grants to nonprofits, schools, and organizations working to strengthen our community.
This fund is essential because community needs are always evolving. From educational programs and food security to mental health services and neighborhood revitalization, the Community Fund allows us to respond where the need is greatest and often where funding is hardest to find.
We raise money for the Community Fund through generous individual donations, local partnerships, and community events like our annual Gala. Together, these efforts fuel our quarterly grant cycles and help us bridge the gap between what’s needed and what’s currently possible.
Our donors are the heart of our mission. Through our Giving Societies, we honor individuals, families, and businesses whose generosity sustains and grows the impact of the Foundation.
Behind every fund is a story of generosity, passion, and the desire to make a difference. Our fund holders are families, individuals, and local businesses who have stepped forward to shape a better future for Defiance County.
Whether it’s creating a scholarship in memory of a loved one, launching a Donor Advised Fund to support favorite causes, or establishing an endowment for a local nonprofit, their stories inspire our community and show the power of local giving. These stories highlight the real impact that thoughtful, local philanthropy can have today and for generations to come.
Since 2021, the Sherwood VFW Charity Fund has invested over $50,000 back into the local community, supporting everything from scholarships and youth programs to cemetery services and holiday traditions. Rooted in service and sustained by generosity, this fund ensures that the legacy of local veterans continues to impact generations to come.
The Defiance Area Foundation is proud to announce the creation of the Sufficient Grace Ministries Memorial Fund, established by the Schroeder family in memory of their son, Paxton Schroeder, who passed away at 28 weeks gestation. The fund will provide annual grants to Sufficient Grace Ministries, an organization that supports families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss. This lasting tribute will help extend healing and hope to families in Defiance County and beyond.
Since 1966, Fort Defiance Humane Society (FDHS) has stood as a compassionate, animal-advocacy organization in Defiance County. As the only shelter in the county that cares for dogs—along with cats and small pets—FDHS fills a vital role in our community. From rescuing the neglected to rehoming the unwanted, their mission is simple and powerful: protect and advocate for the animals who cannot speak for themselves.
Contact us to explore how you can start a fund, support an existing one, or leave a legacy that serves Defiance County for generations to come.
