About the
Endowment Fund

Since 1972, the Friends of Medina County Parks has assisted the park district in carrying out its mission our community.  Support for various projects and programs has come from the membership donations received each year.  The board of trustees of the Friends created an endowment fund in 2007 to further expand the role of the organization in assisting the park district.  Since the Friends of Medina County Parks, Inc. is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, all gifts to the endowment fund are fully tax-deductible.

The initial deposit in the endowment fund came from four generous donors.  These donors saw the importance of making gifts that would provide a long-term benefits to the park district.  Funds donated to the endowment fund will be invested, and the earnings will be available for various programs and projects each year.  No more than five percent (5%) of the principal in the endowment fund can be spent in any year.

Many generous people have supported the park district over the years with donations of both land and money.  The endowment fund provides an additional opportunity to make a lasting gift to your community. There are four designated areas within the Endowment Fund.

Transportation Assistance
This fund will provide grants to Medina County school teachers wishing to bring students to park district facilities for outdoor education opportunities.  Currently, the Friends grants about $8,000 per year to schools for this purpose.

Education
Earnings from this fund will be used to support youth programs offered by the park district such as the Annual Youth Fishing Derby and education-related programs.  With growth in this fund, more programs will be possible in the future.

Conservation
Monies donated to this fund will be permitted to accumulate, and the earnings will be given to the park district to support land-acquisition and conservation-related projects.  (Donors may also give to specific land-acquisition projects where monies would be immediately disbursed to that project and not be a part of the endowment fund.)

General
Use of earnings from this fund will be directed by the board of trustees based on requests from the park district.
How can you contribute?
Gifts may be made to the Friends of the Parks Endowment Fund through cash/check donations, estate planning, or online gifts via credit card.  To make a contribution online, click here. To discuss giving options in more detail, please contact the park office at 330-722-9364.