Annual Meeting

For more photos from the 2025 Annual Membership Meeting click on this link.

Or watch a video of the this year's meeting below:

Introduction

The BLF story. Founded more than 36 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 20 organizations submitted project requests totaling just over $69,000! During this year's annual meeting the membership discussed the applications and then voted to fund the requests.

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), anyone can become a member of BLF.

The BLF Annual Meeting. During the Annual Meeting members conduct the Foundation business - reviewing the activities of BLF since the last annual meeting, hearing financial details, saying goodbye and thanks to outgoing trustees and electing new board trustees. Then members hear from representatives of the non-profit causes about their organizations and missions related to their grant applications, after which the members vote on how to distribute grant funding! The event began at 6:30 pm with a social reception. The business portion of the meeting began promptly at 7:00 pm.  Details from the meeting are posted on this website.

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).

The Annual Meeting was also be livestreamed on YouTube for those who want to see the meeting but cannot attend the in-person event. Link to livestream of BILL LONG FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING 2025.

Help us spread the word about BLF. Ask your friends to become members, too!

Bill Long Foundation 2025 Annual Membership Meeting Agenda

Kendal Heiser Auditorium – April 2, 2025

6:30PM Social Half–Hour
7:00PM Membership Meeting

Meeting livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/BillLongFoundation

1. 6:30 p.m. – Social Half–Hour

Time to snack and talk and meet with grant applicant organizations 

2. 7:00 p.m. – Call to Order / Welcome Del Mason 

3. Review of 2024 BLF Annual Membership Meeting Minutes Steph Mata Granados

Motion and vote to approve 2024 Annual Membership Meeting minutes 

4. President’s Report Brandon County 

5. 2024 Financial Documents and Treasurer’s Report Sondra Miller and Peter Jensen

Motion and vote to accept Treasurer’s report 

6. Membership & Public Relations Report Kathleen Jackson 

7. Mini-Grants Program (formerly Tools & Training Program) Report Cindy Breda 

8. Nomination & Election of New Board Trustees Jill Sawyer

Thanks to Peter Jensen for his service on the board

Trustees continuing their 3–year terms: Cindy Breda (2024), Brandon County (2024), Lilly Dodson (2024), Nicholas Hudnell (2024), Kathleen Jackson (2023), Del Mason (2023), Steph Mata Granados (2023), Sondra Miller (2023), Jill Sawyer (2023)

Trustees seeking new 3-year trustee positions: Brittnei Forlenza (2022), Julia Robinson (2022)

Presentation by Nominations Committee for 3-year trustee position: Kathy (Kohut) DeRuyter 

Discussion of slate and motion and vote to approve 

9. Proposed Bylaw Amendment for OSCA Observer Position Lilly Dodson

Whereas the Bill Long Foundation and the Oberlin Student Cooperative Association (OSCA) share the values of democratic control and concern for community, as embodied by Bill Long and his management of the Oberlin Co-Op Bookstore and the Co-Op Causes Fund; and whereas the Board of Trustees of the Bill Long Foundation seeks to strengthen ties between the Foundation and OSCA; and whereas all members of OSCA are dues-paying members of the Bill Long Foundation, the Board of Trustees of the Bill Long Foundation invites a motion to amend Article II Section 4 of the Foundation Code of Regulations, providing that a member of the OSCA board of directors be invited to observe and represent the Association at regular meetings of the Board of Trustees:

Section 4. Regular Meetings Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be held on such dates and at such times as the Board of Trustees or the President shall determine. Regular meetings shall be held at the principal offices of the Foundation or at such other place within or without the State of Ohio as the Board of Trustees or the President shall determine. The purpose of regular meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be to consider and act upon any matters that are proper subjects for action by the Board of Trustees. The Oberlin Student Cooperative Association (OSCA) shall be invited to send a representative from among its board of directors to observe and represent OSCA at regular meetings of the Board of Trustees.

10. Let’s all take a 5–10 minute stretch 

11. Presentation of grant applications by the Causes Committee Julia Robinson and Nicholas Hudnell

2–minute presentations by grant applicants

1–2 brief questions per organization

Motion(s) and vote(s) to approve or amend Board recommended awards

Final motion and vote by membership to accept overall funding of all projects 

12. Other Business 

13. Adjournment

Links

Annual Meeting Information: https://www.blfoberlin.org/annual-meeting
Meeting livestreamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BillLongFoundation
Grant Application Process Information: https://www.blfoberlin.org/grants
Membership Information and Donations: https://www.blfoberlin.org/donating-membership
Bill Long Foundation Website Homepage: https://blfoberlin.org
Bill Long Foundation Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BillLongFoundation
Bill Long Foundation Mailing Address: P.O. Box 0141, Oberlin, OH 44074
Bill Long Foundation Email Address: blfoberlin@gmail.com

Election for Board Trustees

Outgoing Board Members

Thanks to Peter Jensen for his service on the board. Peter joined the board in 2019 and has served as the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, as well on the Causes committee. He helped establish the Mini-Grants program (then “Tools and Training”) to make BLF grants available to neighborhood groups and enterprising individuals. Peter’s extensive experience working with nonprofits in town, in the county, and across several states, coupled with his keen eye for detail and his unparalleled collegiality have made him the cornerstone of the board of trustees. After stepping down from the board, Peter will continue being a stellar example of the thoughtful, engaged Oberlinians who contribute to the Bill Long Foundation and our community as a whole.

Continuing Board Members

Trustees continuing their 3–year terms: Cindy Breda (2024), Brandon County (2024), Lilly Dodson (2024), Nicholas Hudnell (2024), Kathleen Jackson (2023), Del Mason (2023), Steph Mata Granados (2023), Sondra Miller (2023), Jill Sawyer (2023)

2025 Bill Long Foundation Board Candidates

Kathy DeRuyter (Kohut) was born and raised in Oberlin and graduated from Oberlin High School in 1973, as well as the Lorain County JVS. Attended Lorain County Community College towards a degree in Marketing. She worked at Forest City Technologies from 1983-2001 as Quality Liaison, interfacing with external and internal customers to resolve issues. As a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wellington, she serves and has served on committees such as Mission, Nurture, Worship, and also manages the traditional dinners for funerals. With her husband, Kathy owns rental properties in Oberlin and Wellington. Her hobbies include travel, chair caning, and various crafts. She has one daughter and two step daughters, eleven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Brittnei Forlenza (Sherrod) is an Oberlin native and has spent a decade at Oberlin College before transitioning to Carnegie Higher Ed, a marketing and enrollment agency. With a deep commitment to civic engagement, strong communication skills, and a creative approach, she is dedicated to advancing BLF initiatives. Brittnei is excited to continue her service on the Bill Long Foundation Board for a second term.

Julia Robinson “I am a born & raised Oberlinian, rabble rouser, and the granddaughter of Bill Long himself. By day I work as a social worker at a federally-qualified health center, and I am always looking for ways to engage with my communities personally & professionally. I have really enjoyed working with the current crew to steward the legacy of my grandfather and the Oberlin Consumers’ Cooperative, and I would love to continue.” 

2025 BLF Grants Funding Proposals

Organization, short description of project, amount requested, BLF Board recommendation for funding, and link to the group's online resources.

If you would like to support any of these worthy groups the Bill Long Foundation encourages you to donate to the Bill Long Foundation while specifying the group(s) you would like to support or contact the group directly for information about their process for receiving donations.

Common Ground - Cindy Nord Center for Renewal
Healthy snacks  for summer campers & garden explore and play area materials
Requested $5,000
Board Recommendation $2,900
https://commongroundcenter.org

Community Action to Save Strays (CATSS)
Assistance for care of cats in stressed need homes
Requested $2,550
Board Recommendation $1,930
https://www.catssoberlin.org

Firelands Association for Visual Arts (FAVA)
Scholarships for Education Programming
Requested $1,600
Board Recommendation $1,440
https://www.favagallery.org

LIFE: A Dementia Friendly Foundation
Memory Café art supplies and cultural enrichment materials
Requested $2,754.13
Board Recommendation $1,750
https://www.dflife.org/

Lorain County Imagination Library
Book fees for Oberlin children enrolled in Lorain County Imagination Library
Requested $3,000
Board Recommendation $1,500
https://www.peoplewhocare.org/lcil

Mad* Factory
Scholarship support for Oberlin students in programs
Requested $3,000
Board Recommendation $2,100
https://www.madfactory.org

Ninde Scholars Program
High School student meals during college visits & supplies for enrichment program
Requested $2,500
Board Recommendation $1,300
https://www.oberlin.edu/bcsl/programs/ninde-scholars

Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra (NOYO)
Financial aid for musicians to participate in reduced-price instrumental lessons
Requested $3,000
Board Recommendation $2,200
https://www.noyo.org

Oberlin Community Services
Support for direct emergency assistance to Oberlin residents in need
Requested $5,000
Board Recommendation $2,500
https://www.oberlincommunityservices.org

Oberlin Community Music School
Scholarships for students attending summer camp music lessons
Requested $3,500
Board Recommendation $2,500
https://www.oberlin.edu/community-music-school

Oberlin Community Supporting Immigrants
Support Lorain County immigrants in emergency crisis and general operating funds
Requested $4,500
Board Recommendation $3,500
https://www.oberlincommunitysi.org/

Oberlin Heritage Center
Hosting collections database on online accessible platform and back-up HD system
Requested $655
Board Recommendation $655
https://www.oberlinheritagecenter.org

Oberlin High School Interact Club BackPack Program
Supplying needy students with backpacks of food for weekends
Requested $3,000
Board Recommendation $2,700
No online resource

Oberlin Weekday Community Meals (OWCM)
General operating expenses and local food sourcing
Requested $5,000
Board Recommendation $3,200
https://www.facebook.com/ObieHotMeals/ and https://christchurchoberlin.org

OberlinKids Comm. Collaborative - Equal Learning
Scholarships for children to attend high-quality early learning center
Requested $5,000
Board Recommendation $3,200
https://www.oberlinkids.org

Our F.A.M.I.L.Y.
Provide 20 hour/week summer internships for 2 Oberlin middle & high schol students
Requested $2,000
Board Recommendation $1,600
https://bobbyrtaylor2.wixsite.com/ourfamilyohio

Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (OUUF)
OWL Lifelong Sexual Health Education Program facilitator training
Requested $1,000
Board Recommendation $350
https://ouuf.org/

Providing Oberlin With Efficiency Responsibly (POWER)
Home repair materials & labor for weatherization, safety, & conservation
Requested $4,000
Board Recommendation $2,800
https://www.poweroberlin.org

Road to Hope - Margeau House
Upgrade electrical system at The Margeau House
Requested $5,000
Board Recommendation $2,000
https://road-to-hope.org

Ruby N. Jones Community Scholarship Fund
Higher education college scholarship support for 4-5 Oberlin students in need
Requested $2,000
Board Recommendation $1,800
https://www.msrubyscholarship.org

Message from Bill Long Foundation Board of Trustees regarding how Trustees determined their 2025 funding recommendations:

1. The Bill Long Foundation (BLF) is a membership-powered community foundation that gives grants to support projects and activities in Oberlin that address basic human needs or enrich cultural life. Membership in the foundation is open to all. Members elect volunteer trustees who manage all operations and award grants based on the vote of members attending the annual meeting.

2. The trustees reviewed all grant applications for completeness and considered to what extent each application aligns with the BLF mission statement. In most years there are a few applications that are incomplete or do not align with our mission statement or are withdrawn. Such applications do not make the final cut for consideration at the membership meeting; that was true again this year.

3. The trustees considered the BLF’s financial situation (primarily our investments with Lesjak Planning and BLF members’ donations, as well as current market trends and our financial advisor’s recommendations) in the context of expected changes in national and state funding. Determining the grant recommendations for this year’s annual meeting entailed: 

i) Calculating a 6.5% draw (near the upper limit of the 5-7% range suggested by Lesjak Planning) from our March 2025 balance of investments and restricted donations, a total of $360,485. This gave us a starting point of $23,431 available to spend from our investment account. 

ii) To that $23,431, adding the unrestricted funds in our March 2025 checking account balance of $20,746 (primarily donations from BLF members) to give a sum of $44,177.

iii) From that $44,177, holding back $1,875 (approximately 4.25%) for operating expenses in the coming year (insurance, PO Box, software, Bill Long’s model train support, postage, etc.), and $500 to replenish funds used for our Mini-Grants program, to make $41,802 the board’s recommended amount for annual grant awards in 2025.

4. The trustees determined how to divide the recommended $41,802 among the qualifying grant applications (this year 20 applicants requested $64,059). Our decisions were guided primarily by three factors:

i) The extent to which the project will benefit Oberlin residents.

ii) The size of the applicant organization and the support available to them from other sources.

iii) The extent to which the project focuses on high priority community needs.

A final note : The trustees have made these funding recommendations with careful consideration for the immediate needs of Oberlin residents, as well as for the longer-term financial stability of the Bill Long Foundation so it can continue to serve Oberlin residents.