2026-2027 Board of Directors
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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.
Grant Gates is Chair of the Board of Directors, which he joined in 2021. He serves on the Grants committee and Community Grants subcommittee. Grant is the Wholesale Territory Manager for Morral Companies.
Spencer Mathews is the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, having served since 2021. He is on the Scholarship committee. He has been the General Manager of Mathews Ford Marion automobile dealership since 2005.
Hon. Matthew Frericks is the Board Secretary, having joined the Board of Directors in 2022. He serves on our Investment committee and Racial Equity & Justice Grants subcommittee. Matt is a judge with the Marion County Court of Common Pleas.
Dr. Kathy Clark is Treasurer of the Board, which she joined 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.
Kevin Smith is Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors, which he joined in 2021. He serves on the Investment, Scholarship, and Grants committees. Kevin is a retired bank president, formerly with The First Citizens National Bank.
Jody Demo-Hodgins has been a board member since 2019. She serves on the Grants committee, 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).
Jessa Gary joined the Board of Directors in 2025. She serves on the Investment committee. She is an estate planning attorney and partner with the law firm of Isaac Wiles.
Jacob Johnston joined the Board of Directors in 2025. He serves on the Scholarship committee. He has been with Verne Hart Insurance Agency since 2018 and as vice president since 2021.
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 Community Grants and Racial Equity & Justice Grants subcommittees. Erin is a school advisor at TRECA Digital Academy and a fitness coach at Pure Function CrossFit in Marion.
Diane Watson joined the Board of Directors in 2026. She serves on our Community Grants subcommittee. Diane is a marketing and communications professional, recently retired from the Marion Public Library and previously served as director of the Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau .
2026-27 Board Committees & Programs
EXECUTIVE and GOVERNANCE & POLICIES
includes nominating, audit & gift acceptance duties
Grant Gates – Chair
Spencer Mathews – Vice Chair
Matt Frericks – Secretary
Kathy Clark – Treasurer
Kevin Smith – Immediate Past Chair
INVESTMENT
Megan Queen, Chair, non-board member
Matt Frericks
Jessa Gary
Charlie Garvin, non-board member
Justin Hamper, non-board member
Scott Knowles
Ryan McCall
Kevin Smith
SCHOLARSHIP
Kathy Goodman, Chair
Katie Grimes, non-board member
Sharol Herr, non-board member
Sue Jacob, non-board member
Jacob Johnston
Ruth Johnston, non-board member
Spencer Mathews
Jean Smith, non-board member
Kevin Smith
DONOR RELATIONS
Bev Ford, non-board member
Karen Ream , non-board member
Mike Stuckey, non-board member
FINANCE
TBA
AMERICA 250
Mike Augenstein
Mike Bodine
Kathleen Clemons-Keller
Bill Collins
Mark Davis
Sherry Hall
Heidi Jones
Wendy Petrie
Diane Watson
Wendy Weichenthal
Valerie Wigton
Allen Wilson
Brandi Wilson
Randy Winland
GRANTS
Jody Demo-Hodgins
Kathy Clark
Grant Gates
Tom Schifer
Kevin Smith
COMMUNITY GRANTS SUBCOMMITTEE
Jody Demo-Hodgins
Kathy Clark
Heidi Jones, non-board member
Matt Primmer, non-board member
Tom Schifer
Erin Slater
Kevin Smith
Diane Watson
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, non-board member
Tom Schifer
RACIAL EQUITY & JUSTICE GRANTS SUBCOMMITTEE
Jody Demo-Hodgins, Co-Chair
Nicolle Willis, Co-Chair
Matt Frericks
Jennifer Lawson
Jackie Peterson
Erin Slater
Candace Floyd, non-board member
Evelyn Olivos Lisiecki, non-board member
Matt Primmer, non-board member
YOUTH ENGAGED IN PHILANTHROPY
Kate McCleese, staff
Learn More: About | Staff | Contact | FAQ’s | Audit & 990
