Legacy Fund Continues 2026 Investment in Clinton County

Eight organizations throughout Clinton County were recently awarded grants totaling $285,074 from the LEGACY Fund investing in a broad range of non-profit organizations and governmental agencies working to strengthen and improve Clinton County. 

The Village of Sabina receives a $25,000 Legacy Fund grant. From left are Legacy Fund committee members Sue Pierson and Michelle Morrison, Sabina Council member Donna Clevenger, Legacy Fund committee member Kyle Wilson, Sabina Mayor Danielle Johnson, Clinton County Foundation Chief Financial Officer Lynn Deatherage and Legacy Fund committee member Joe Hete.
The Village of Sabina receives a $25,000 Legacy Fund grant. From left are Legacy Fund committee members Sue Pierson and Michelle Morrison, Sabina Council member Donna Clevenger, Legacy Fund committee member Kyle Wilson, Sabina Mayor Danielle Johnson, Clinton County Foundation Chief Financial Officer Lynn Deatherage and Legacy Fund committee member Joe Hete.
Blanchester Senior Center representatives are presented with a $44,500 check. From left are Legacy Fund committee members Kyle Wilson and Michelle Morrison, Jeff Hurst, Legacy Fund committee member Sue Pierson, Ron Voris, Amy Voris, Don Gephart, Linda White, Scott Weaver, Clinton County Foundation Chief Financial Officer Lynn Deatherage and Legacy Fund committee member Joe Hete.
Blanchester Senior Center representatives are presented with a $44,500 check. From left are Legacy Fund committee members Kyle Wilson and Michelle Morrison, Jeff Hurst, Legacy Fund committee member Sue Pierson, Ron Voris, Amy Voris, Don Gephart, Linda White, Scott Weaver, Clinton County Foundation Chief Financial Officer Lynn Deatherage and Legacy Fund committee member Joe Hete.
Capt. Fred Jones with the Blanchester Marion Fire Department accepts a check for $12,974. From left are Legacy Fund committee members Michelle Morrison, Sue Pierson and Kyle Wilson, Jones, Clinton County Foundation Chief Financial Officer Lynn Deatherage and Legacy Fund committee member Joe Hete.
Capt. Fred Jones with the Blanchester Marion Fire Department accepts a check for $12,974. From left are Legacy Fund committee members Michelle Morrison, Sue Pierson and Kyle Wilson, Jones, Clinton County Foundation Chief Financial Officer Lynn Deatherage and Legacy Fund committee member Joe Hete.
Clinton-Warren Joint Fire District Chief Andrew Wysong accepts a $11,000 check. From left are Legacy Fund committee members Michelle Morrison, Sue Pierson and Kyle Wilson, Wysong, Clinton County Foundation Chief Financial Officer Lynn Deatherage and Legacy Fund committee member Joe Hete.
Clinton-Warren Joint Fire District Chief Andrew Wysong accepts a $11,000 check. From left are Legacy Fund committee members Michelle Morrison, Sue Pierson and Kyle Wilson, Wysong, Clinton County Foundation Chief Financial Officer Lynn Deatherage and Legacy Fund committee member Joe Hete.
The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office receives a $57,000 check. From left are Clinton County Foundation Chief Financial Officer Lynn Deatherage, Legacy Fund committee members Sue Pierson and Michelle Morrison, Maj. Mike Wahl, Legacy Fund committee member Kyle Wilson, Sabina Police Chief Jeff Lemmons, Col. Robert Gates, Clinton County Sheriff Douglas Eastes, Legacy Fund committee member Joe Hete, Blanchester Police Chief Robert Houghton and Maj. Justin Drake.
The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office receives a $57,000 check. From left are Clinton County Foundation Chief Financial Officer Lynn Deatherage, Legacy Fund committee members Sue Pierson and Michelle Morrison, Maj. Mike Wahl, Legacy Fund committee member Kyle Wilson, Sabina Police Chief Jeff Lemmons, Col. Robert Gates, Clinton County Sheriff Douglas Eastes, Legacy Fund committee member Joe Hete, Blanchester Police Chief Robert Houghton and Maj. Justin Drake.
Wilmington College representatives are presented with a $27,600 check. From left are Wilmington College Vice President for Chief Advancement Tammy Shadley, Legacy Fund committee member Sue Pierson, Wilmington College President Corey Cockerill, Clinton County Foundation Chief Financial Officer Lynn Deatherage, Legacy Fund committee member Kyle Wilson, Director of Agriculture Graduate Program Chad McKay and Legacy Fund committee members Michelle Morrison and Joe Hete.
Wilmington College representatives are presented with a $27,600 check. From left are Wilmington College Vice President for Chief Advancement Tammy Shadley, Legacy Fund committee member Sue Pierson, Wilmington College President Corey Cockerill, Clinton County Foundation Chief Financial Officer Lynn Deatherage, Legacy Fund committee member Kyle Wilson, Director of Agriculture Graduate Program Chad McKay and Legacy Fund committee members Michelle Morrison and Joe Hete.
Kettering Health Foundation is presented with a $50,000 check. From left are Legacy Fund committee members Sue Pierson, Kyle Wilson and Michelle Morrison, Clinton County Foundation Executive Director Mark Kraus, Kettering Health Foundation Chief Philanthropy Officer Rick Thie, Kettering Health Breast Centers Director Deanne Rose, Clinton County Foundation Chief Financial Officer Lynn Deatherage, Kettering Health Director of Imaging Becky Ison, Kettering Health Foundation Vice President of Philanthropy Operations John Nafie and Legacy Fund committee member Joe Hete.
Kettering Health Foundation is presented with a $50,000 check. From left are Legacy Fund committee members Sue Pierson, Kyle Wilson and Michelle Morrison, Clinton County Foundation Executive Director Mark Kraus, Kettering Health Foundation Chief Philanthropy Officer Rick Thie, Kettering Health Breast Centers Director Deanne Rose, Clinton County Foundation Chief Financial Officer Lynn Deatherage, Kettering Health Director of Imaging Becky Ison, Kettering Health Foundation Vice President of Philanthropy Operations John Nafie and Legacy Fund committee member Joe Hete.

Grantees for 2026 include: 

  • Village of Sabina, $25,000 for water improvements
  • Clinton Warren Joint Fire District, $11,000 for rapid intervention team equipment
  • Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, $57,000 for safety protection initiative
  • City of Wilmington, $57,000 for school zone safety upgrades
  • Kettering Health Foundation – Wilmington, $50,000 for mammography machine
  • Wilmington College, $27,600 for upgrades to equine facility
  • Blanchester Marion Fire Department, $12,974 for fire nozzle replacement
  • Community Action, $44,500 for improvements to the Blanchester Senior Center

The LEGACY Fund awards grants across specific categories, based on the guidance of the governing committee whose members include: Michelle Morrison, Joe Hete, Sue Pierson, Kyle Wilson, and Clinton County Commissioner, Kerry Steed. The committee ensures that each organization is eligible for funding, weighs the community need, and guarantees that the projects are in alignment with The LEGACY Fund’s mission is to support the health, well-being and safety of Clinton County residents and provides ongoing financial, charitable support throughout the county.

About The LEGACY Fund

The LEGACY Fund was established at the Clinton County Foundation with a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Clinton Memorial Hospital by the Clinton County commissioners. The Foundation has invested those assets wisely and is committed to ensuring that annual distributions will be available to the community through the LEGACY Fund and its committee.