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Marion Community Foundation

For you. For Marion. Forever.

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2024-2025 Board of Directors

Learn More: About | Staff | Contact | FAQ’s | Audit & 990

Marion Community Foundation is a local organization governed by a board of directors — 15 dedicated volunteers who live or work in Marion County. The Board is comprised of attorneys, educators, financial experts, and business professionals who live and work in the Marion area and have the community’s best interest at heart. Directors serve 3-year terms which are renewable.

Jody Demo-Hodgins is the Chair of the Board of Directors and has been a member since 2019. She represents the Board on the Grants and Audit committees, chairs the Community Grants subcommittee, and co-chairs the Racial Equity & Justice grants subcommittee. Jody is the former executive director of the Crawford-Marion Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMH).

Kevin Smith is Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, which he joined in 2021. He serves on the Investment committee and Community Grants subcommittee. Kevin is a retired bank president, formerly with The First Citizens National Bank.

Grant Gates is Secretary of the Board of Directors, which he joined in 2021. He serves on the Audit, Grants, and Outreach & Engagement committees and Community Grants subcommittee. Grant is the Wholesale Territory Manager for Morral Companies.

Spencer Mathews is the Treasurer of the Board of Directors, having served since 2021. He is on the Scholarship and Outreach & Engagement committees. He has been the General Manager of Mathews Ford Marion automobile dealership since 2005.

Dr. Chuck Speelman is Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors, which he joined in 2016.  He serves on the Investment and Audit committees. Chuck is the superintendent of Tri-Rivers Career Center & Center for Adult Education.

Dr. Deepika Bathini joined the Board of Directors in 2023. She serves on the Racial Equity & Justice Grants subcommittee. Deepi is an internal medicine hospitalist and Vice President of Clinical Affairs with OhioHealth at Marion General Hospital.

Dr. Kathy Clark joined the Board in 2023. She serves on the Grants committee and Community Grants subcommittee. Kathy is retired from the Marion Family Court and currently serving part-time as a social worker with The Tomorrow Center in Cardington.

Hon. Matthew Frericks joined the Board of Directors in 2022. He serves on our Investment and Audit committees and Racial Equity & Justice Grants subcommittee. Matt is a judge with the Marion County Court of Common Pleas.

Scott Knowles joined the Board of Directors in 2017.  He serves on our Investment Committee. Scott is the CEO and General Counsel for Sims Brothers Recycling in Marion.

Jennifer Lawson joined the Board of Directors in 2024 and serves on the TEACH Grants and Racial Equity & Justice Grants committees. She is the Director of Programs and Student Success at Tri-Rivers Career Center and owner of Finding Center boutique in downtown Marion.

Dr. Ryan McCall joined the Board of Directors in 2018. He serves on our Investment committee. Ryan is the President of Marion Technical College.

Pastor Jackie Peterson joined the Board of Directors in 2022. She serves on our Racial Equity & Justice subcommittee. Jackie is the pastor of Logos Christian Ministries in Marion and the International Chaplin for the Women’s Department for Kingdom Connection Fellowship International.

Tom Schifer joined the Board of Directors in 2022. He serves on our Grants committee and Community Grants and TEACH Grants subcommittees. Tom is an architect in the Marion area.

Erin Slater joined the Board of Directors in 2022. She serves on our Scholarship committee and Racial Equity & Justice Grants subcommittee. Erin is the office manager for Denton-Prater Chiropractic and Natural Health and a fitness coach at Pure Function CrossFit in Marion.


2024-25 Board Committees & Programs

EXECUTIVE and GOVERNANCE & POLICIES
(includes nominating duties and Gift Acceptance committee)
Jody Demo-Hodgins – Chair
Kevin Smith – Vice Chair
Grant Gates – Secretary
Spencer Mathews – Treasurer
Chuck Speelman – Immediate Past Chair

INVESTMENT
   Megan Queen, Chair (non-board member)
   Matt Frericks
   Charlie Garvin (non-board member)
   Justin Hamper (non-board member)
   Scott Knowles
   Ryan McCall
   Kevin Smith
   Chuck Speelman

SCHOLARSHIP
   Kathy Goodman, Chair          
   Katie Grimes
Sharol Herr (non-board member)
   Sue Jacob (non-board member)
   Ruth Johnston (non-board member)
   Spencer Mathews
   Jean Smith
Kevin Smith

OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT
   Nikki Workman, Chair  (non-board member)
   Daniel Bradshaw (non-board member)
   Grant Gates
   Spencer Mathews
   Elaine Merchant (non-board member)
   Francis C. Voll (non-board member)

 AUDIT
   Chuck Speelman, Chair
   Matt Frericks
   Jody Demo-Hodgins
   Spencer Mathews (Board Treasurer)

GRANTS
   Jody Demo-Hodgins, Chair
   Deepi Bathini
Kathy Clark
   Grant Gates
   Tom Schifer
   Kevin Smith

COMMUNITY GRANTS SUBCOMMITTEE
    Jody Demo-Hodgins, Chair
   Kathy Clark
   Kelly Garrett (non-board member)
   Grant Gates
   Matt Primmer
   Tom Schifer 
   Kevin Smith
   Nicolle Willis (non-board member)

TEACH GRANTS SUBCOMMITTEE
   Nicolle Willis, Chair
   Rhonda Dettra (non-board member)
   Christine Gibson (non-board member)      
   Jennifer Lawson
   Stan Nicol (non-board member)
   Matt Primmer
   Tom Schifer

RACIAL EQUITY & JUSTICE GRANTS SUBCOMMITTEE
   Jody Demo-Hodgins, Co-Chair
   Nicolle Willis, Co-Chair
   Deepika Bathini
   Candace Floyd (non-board member)
   Matt Frericks
   Dana Martin (non-board member)
   Jennifer Lawson
   Evelyn Olivos Lisiecki (non-board member)
   Jackie Peterson
   Matt Primmer
   Erin Slater

YOUTH ENGAGED IN PHILANTHROPY
   Kate McCleese (staff)

Learn More: About | Staff | Contact | FAQ’s | Audit & 990

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MAILING ADDRESS
504 South State St.
Marion, Ohio 43302

EMAIL
info@marioncommunityfoundation.org

PHONE
740-387-9704

HOURS
Monday-Friday
9AM-5PM

OUR MISSION is to continually improve the Marion area community through philanthropy, leadership & civic engagement.

OUR VISION is a generous, educated, healthy, collaborative, and vibrant community.

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