Annual Meeting

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
(Showing the 2025 information and soon to be updated for the 2026 election)

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.” 

Message from Bill Long Foundation Board of Trustees regarding how Trustees determined their funding recommendations:
(Showing 2025 process and soon to be updated for the 2026 Annual Meeting)

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. 

If you would like to add to the BLF grant funding for a specific cause or causes that are of special significance to you please volunteer your donation during the discussion of the funding levels or contact the Treasurer after the meeting.

The Bill Long Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the regulations of the Internal Revenue Service.

Photos from projects funded by the Bill Long Foundation members in previous years.