Philanthropy Ohio Historical Timeline: Celebrating 30 Years
Take a look at how your membership network has evolved. In 2014, Philanthropy Ohio celebrated more than 35 years as the leading voice and premier resource for philanthropy in Ohio.
1975 First Ohio Foundations Conference held in Dayton
1984 Donors Forum of Ohio incorporated
1985 Grantmakers Forum (Cleveland) began as program of The Cleveland Foundation
1988 Lynn Helbling Sirinek hired as first executive director of Donors Forum of Ohio
1990 Dorothy Weiss hired as executive director of Grantmakers Forum
1997 Ohio Grantmakers Forum launches Promotion of Philanthropy Initiative
1998 Donors Forum of Ohio publishes first State of Philanthropy report
1998 Helps create Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
2000 Donors Forum of Ohio and Grantmakers Forum merge, creating Ohio Grantmakers Forum
2002 George Espy becomes president of Ohio Grantmakers Forum
2004 Ohio Grantmakers Forum adopts Guiding Principles for itself and members
2004 Philanthropy Ohio creates Ohio Philanthropy Award
2006 Education Initiative begins and releases Education for Ohio’s Future report
2006 Ohio Grantmakers Forum president named chair of newly-created Atty General Charitable Advisory Council
2006 Ohio Grantmakers Forum creates Midwest Community Foundations’ Ventures with Michigan and Illinois
2007 Ohio Grantmakers Forum publishes Ohio Transfer of Wealth Study
2008 Ohio Grantmakers Forum adopts Diversity Principles, creates Inclusion Committee
2008 CEO Leadership Circle for Diversity and Inclusion convened
2009 Education Initiative releases Beyond Tinkering report and General Assembly passes recommendations
2010 Ohio Grantmakers Forum’s annual conference is branded Philanthropy Forward
2011 Health Initiative begins
2012 Ohio Grantmakers Forum supports creation of stand-alone Ohio Medicaid Department
2013 Ohio Grantmakers Forum rebrands itself as Philanthropy Ohio
2013 Suzanne T. Allen, Ph.D., becomes president of Philanthropy Ohio
2013 United Ways, individuals and government agencies are eligible to join
2013 Preparing Students for Success in Life report published
2013 Endow Ohio initiative created
2013 Created the first Philanthropy Innovation and Emerging Philanthropic Leader Award
2013 Four General Assembly members honored with first Friend of Philanthropy awards
2013 Philanthropy Ohio signs on to amicus brief to Ohio Supreme Court supporting Medicaid expansion
2014 First Summer Institute held
2014 Professional Partners are eligible to join Philanthropy Ohio
2015 Created the Michael G. Shinn Award for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Philanthropy
2018 This year’s strategic planning process led to a laser focus on 4 key pillars: advocating, educating, convening and equity lens.
2019 Deborah Aubert Thomas becomes the first Black president and CEO