Annual Meeting
The 2022 Bill Long Foundation Grant Awards as determined during the April 6th Annual Membership Meeting (final numbers are subject to change as additional pass-through donations are applied).
Information about the Bill Long Foundation Annual Meeting
Description ~ Registration ~ Agenda ~ Financial Statements ~ Trustee Elections ~ Funding Proposals
The coronavirus pandemic has affected the daily lives and livelihood of our community in ways we could have never imagined. At the November Board meeting, some of this year’s grant recipients reported dramatic losses to their staff, a drastic reduction of arts and culture initiatives, and an overwhelming number of Oberlin community members who have been unable to meet their basic food and housing needs.
While we are proud of the grants that we have been able to award thus far, we are reminded of the urgency to award even more. The current state of our community presents the opportunity to tailor programs in support of Oberlin organizations and causes that may be facing unforeseen struggles as a result of the virus.
The BLF story. Founded more than 25 years ago by members of the Co-op Bookstore to honor Bill Long, we follow the principles that Bill championed: participatory democracy and local impact. Our members, board, and the organizations and causes we support are all part of the Oberlin community.
The BLF reach. This year 19 organizations submitted 20 project requests totaling $65,810! During this year's annual meeting (held online via Zoom) the membership voted to fully fund the requests. Additional pass-through donations from the attendees resulted in a final total of $68,450 awarded to the 20 project requests! During this year's annual meeting members also agreed to support the Oberlin Community Land Trust's goal to improve affordable housing opportunities by providing a loan from BLF to OCLT of $30,000 toward financing a home in Oberlin.
The BLF approach. All of our grants go to meet the needs of the Oberlin community. Our organization has no employees and few expenses. Our application process is as simple as possible. With a donation of $10 or more ($5 for students), you become a member of BLF.
The BLF Annual Meeting. This year's member event was held virtually (via Zoom) on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. During the Annual Meeting, members heard from representatives of the charitable causes about their organizations and missions, after which the members voted on how to distribute the funds! The event began at 6:45 pm with a virtual reception. The business portion of the meeting bega promptly at 7:00 pm. Details from the meeting can be found on this webpage.
Join us or renew! It’s easy to do. Go to our Documents page, download the Donation & Membership Form and return it with your contribution, or contribute through PayPal. (link button below).
Help us spread the word about BLF. Ask your friends to become members, too!
Scroll down on this page for meeting materials:
Meeting Agenda
BLF Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 2021
BLF Grant Cycle History 2006-2021
Elections of New Board Trustees
List of Organizations Applying for 2022 Grants
Annual Membership Meeting Agenda
(Agenda & other meeting materials in downloadable PDF documents)
Remote meeting via Zoom - April 6, 2022 - 7:00PM
1. 6:45PM – Breakout Room social time with BLF members and applicant organizations
2. 7:00PM – Call to Order/Welcome
Brief Zoom tutorial for members in attendance – Deborah Roose
3. Review of 2021 BLF Annual Membership Meeting Minutes - Dick Baznik
Motion/Vote to Approve
4. President’s Report - John Memmott
5. Treasurer’s Report - Peter Jensen
2021 Financial Documents and Report
Oberlin Community Land Trust and Oberlin Cable Co-op program related investments - Discussion and Motion/Vote
A short comment from Ralph Potts (retiring General Manager of Oberlin Cable Co-op)
6. Nomination & Election of New Board Trustees –Dick Baznik
Thanks to Kimberly Jackson Davidson and Deborah Roose for their service on the board.
Trustees continuing in their 3-year terms: Dick Baznik, Brandon County, Liv Hanson, Evyn Lundy, Michael Reynolds, and Jill Sawyer
Trustees seeking new 3-year term: Peter Jensen
Trustee seeking FINAL 1-year term (contingent on continuing to serve as officer): John Memmott
Trustee seeking 1-year term (contingent on continuing to serve as officer): Carol Lasser
Nominations for open Trustee positions (3-year terms): Julia Robinson and Brittnei Sherrod
Discussion of Slate and Motion/Vote to approve
7. Report on Tools & Training Program – Deborah Roose
8. 5-10 minute stretch
9. Door Prize Drawing – Deborah Roose
10. Causes - Brandon County & Carol Lasser
- 2-minute presentations by grant applicants
- 1-2 brief questions per organization written in chat
- Motions (in Zoom chat) and votes to approve or amend Board recommended awards
Final Motion and Vote by membership to accept overall funding of all projects
Pass-through Donations: https://tinyurl.com/blfoberlindonations
11. Other Business
12. Adjournment
Pass-thru Donations - Please complete online donation form at
https://tinyurl.com/blfoberlindonations
and then send your check to Bill Long Foundation, P.O. Box 0141, Oberlin, OH 44074
or use our PayPal link (PayPal does charge a small processing fee)
Financial Statements
2022 BLF Grants Funding Proposals
Amount requested, short description of project, links to their online resources
City Fresh
Requesting $3,000
Supplies for volunteers working at George Jones Farm
Common Ground - Cindy Nord Center for Renewal
Requesting $2,500
Healthy snack options and food for summer campers
https://commongroundcenter.org
Community Action to Save Strays (CATSS)
Requesting $2,500
Assistance for care of cats in stressed need homes
https://www.facebook.com/CommunityActionToSaveStrays/
Credo Music
Requesting $3,000
Support for summer Credo Festival - publicity and scholarships
Firelands Association for Visual Arts (FAVA)
Requesting $1,000
Scholarships for participation in Education Programming
Friends of Westwood Cemetary
Requesting $500
Purchase solution to clean gravestones
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofWestwoodCemetery/
Girls Electronic Arts Retreat (GEAR)
Requesting $2,500
Camp supplies and equipment for activities
https://www.girlselectronicartsretreat.org
Lorain County Imagination Library
Requesting $2,000
Book fees for Oberlin children enrolled in Lorain County Imagination Library
https://www.facebook.com/LorainCountyImaginationLibrary/
Mad* Factory
Requesting $2,000
General operating support
Neighborhood Alliance/Senior Services
Requesting $6,000
Mobile senior programming & home delivery of essential care/health supplies
https://myneighborhoodalliance.org/index.php/seniors/
Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra (NOYO)
Requesting $2,450
Financial aid for musicians to participate in reduced-price instrumental lessons
Oberlin Community Services
Requesting $10,000
Support for emergency services
https://www.oberlincommunityservices.org/what-we-do
Oberlin Community Music School
Requesting $2,500
Scholarships for students needing assistance for summer camp music lessons
https://www.facebook.com/oberlincms/
Oberlin High School Interact Club BackPack Program
Requesting $360
Additional food items to include in backpacks at special times
Oberlin Weekday Community Meals (OWCM)
Requesting $8,000
Operating expenses
https://www.facebook.com/ObieHotMeals/
OberlinKids Community Collaborative - Equal Access PreSchool
Requesting $5,000
Scholarships for high-quality preschool program attendance
OberlinKids Community Collaborative - Family Engagement
Requesting $3,000
Provide monthly Family Engagement Literacy and Learning Kits
Providing Oberlin With Efficiency Responsibly (POWER)
Requesting $2,500
Home repair materials & labor for weatherization, safety, & conservation
Ruby N. Jones Community Scholarship Fund
Requesting $2,000
Higher education scholarship support for 3-5 students
https://www.msrubyscholarship.org
Wilson Bruce Evans Home Historical Society
Requesting $5,000
To complete repair and restoration of plumbing in historic house/museum