Brenda Kutan had always planned to give back to the community.

During her long career at Park National Bank, she worked closely with many community leaders – including early leaders of the Licking County Foundation, the community’s philanthropic engine for helping nonprofits improve lives. When she finally retired, Brenda initially thought she would move to Florida near her sister.

But, Brenda recalls, “I spent three weeks down there and knew Florida was not for me. This is home.”

Brenda’s love of Licking County was foremost in her mind when she decided to establish a Community Charitable Fund at the Licking County Foundation to help her organize her giving to causes she cares about most. Brenda was able to make her first grants at the end of 2021.

“At Park, the philosophy was always focused on our community,” she says. “To me, it makes sense to take care of your community.”

Community Charitable Funds, or CCFs, simplify the process of giving for many donors. The donor makes a gift to establish the fund, and takes a tax deduction at the time the fund is set up. The donor and others may also make tax-deductible gifts to the fund at any time, which makes a CCF a great way to honor or celebrate someone special or commemorate a significant life event. Working with LCF staff, donors recommend grants from their CCF to organizations they wish to support, and LCF handles the rest. Because CCFs are not endowed, donors can make grants at any time as long as their CCF has funds available.

She says she is inspired by the people and the closeness of the community.

“People care about each other. I love the small-town feel. Friends and family always want to know what’s happening here in Licking County and love to visit!”

To find out more and learn whether a CCF is the right choice to help with your charitable giving, contact Jennie Dawes, Donor Services Officer, at (740) 349-3863, ext. 101.

Brenda Kutan had always planned to give back to the community.

During her long career at Park National Bank, she worked closely with many community leaders – including early leaders of the Licking County Foundation, the community’s philanthropic engine for helping nonprofits improve lives. When she finally retired, Brenda initially thought she would move to Florida near her sister.

But, Brenda recalls, “I spent three weeks down there and knew Florida was not for me. This is home.”

Brenda’s love of Licking County was foremost in her mind when she decided to establish a Community Charitable Fund at the Licking County Foundation to help her organize her giving to causes she cares about most. Brenda was able to make her first grants at the end of 2021.

“At Park, the philosophy was always focused on our community,” she says. “To me, it makes sense to take care of your community.”

Community Charitable Funds, or CCFs, simplify the process of giving for many donors. The donor makes a gift to establish the fund, and takes a tax deduction at the time the fund is set up. The donor and others may also make tax-deductible gifts to the fund at any time, which makes a CCF a great way to honor or celebrate someone special or commemorate a significant life event. Working with LCF staff, donors recommend grants from their CCF to organizations they wish to support, and LCF handles the rest. Because CCFs are not endowed, donors can make grants at any time as long as their CCF has funds available.

She says she is inspired by the people and the closeness of the community.

“People care about each other. I love the small-town feel. Friends and family always want to know what’s happening here in Licking County and love to visit!”

To find out more and learn whether a CCF is the right choice to help with your charitable giving, contact Jennie Dawes, Donor Services Officer, at (740) 349-3863, ext. 101.