The saying that a rising tide lifts all boats is one way to think about unrestricted giving. Like drops of rain in the sea, every gift, no matter the size, amplifies the power of the whole. When the Licking County Foundation was formed in 1956, visionary leaders wanted to ensure the quality of life here would continually improve. Their gifts were the first drops in what today has become a pool of nearly $130 million in assets helping people in every corner of our community. When added together, gifts large and small comprise these unrestricted funds from which our most strategic grants are made, to address urgent needs or emerging opportunities in Licking County.

The WCLT Community Fund, set up by WCLT Radio, Inc. is an example. Established to benefit citizens of Licking County, regular monthly gifts by WCLT donors helped it grow over time. When added to our other unrestricted funds, together they provide more than $430,000 each year to help meet Licking County needs. This is the power of many gifts, consistent giving, and collective philanthropy. A few drops can become a waterfall.

Licking County Foundation is grateful to have helped more than 100 organizations with grants of all kinds since January. More than half of those organizations received strategic grants, providing everything from newborn diapers to programs that help youth achieve and older adults thrive. And because unrestricted funds are a permanent part of our endowment, there will always be support to meet these and hundreds of other needs to lift up the citizens of our community.