Paul M. Gillmor and Lucy J. Gillmor

Paul "PM" and Lucy Gillmor led and inspired local communities with their philanthropy. Today, their legacy continues through the efforts of the Paul M. and Lucy J. Gillmor Charitable Foundation. The Foundation works in partnership with local non-profit organizations, funding agencies, businesses, volunteers, and donors to invest in creative solutions that make a meaningful impact in people's lives.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Winston S. Churchill

The Paul M. and Lucy J. Gillmor Charitable Foundation

Paul M. and Lucy J. Gillmor firmly believed in being a good neighbor. Although they were lifelong residents of Old Fort, Ohio, they actively supported both the Seneca and Sandusky County communities. The Gillmor's had a unique ability to recognize a need and act on it. The Gillmor Foundation was established March 1, 1992.

Dianne Gillmor-Krumsee, daughter of P.M. and Lucy Gillmor, continues the Gillmor family legacy by serving as a trustee of the Gillmor Charitable Foundation.

Foundation trustees also includes Julie E. Gillmor, granddaughter of P.M. and Lucy Gillmor; Michael Spragg, Gillmor Foundation Chairman and Chairman, President & CEO of the Old Fort Banking Company, and Eric Willman, Vice President & Project Management Officer of the Old Fort Banking Company.

Mission Statement

The Paul M. and Lucy J. Gillmor Charitable Foundation is committed to funding charitable requests that will assist and promote the well-being of the citizens of Seneca and Sandusky Counties.

Trustees

Julie E. Gillmor: Trustee of The Paul M. and Lucy J. Gillmor Charitable Foundation

Ms. Gillmor holds the position of Proposal Development Coordinator at the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is an active volunteer with Mourning Hope Grief Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Ms. Gillmor has served in a variety of positions including Nebraska Medicaid policy, non-profit organizations serving children and families, and health care administration.

Ms. Gillmor holds a Master of Health Administration, and a Master of Public Administration from The Ohio State University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree from The College of Wooster.

Ms. Gillmor’s dedication and commitment to her community is commendable, giving of her time and talents, as well as monetary support.

Dianne Gillmor Krumsee: Trustee of The Paul M. and Lucy J. Gillmor Charitable Foundation

Ms. Krumsee holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Ohio Wesleyan University, and a Master’s degree from The Ohio State University.

Maintaining community and civic involvement, Ms. Krumsee is a trustee of the Paul M. Gillmor and Lucy J. Gillmor Charitable Foundation and is a trustee emeritus of Tiffin University, where she served as the Chair of the Academic Policies Committee. She is a member and Past President of Columbus Woman’s Club, and a supporter/volunteer for Creative Living, a non-profit organization that provides housing and encourages independent living for physically disabled adults.

Michael C. Spragg : Chairman of The Paul M. and Lucy J. Gillmor Charitable Foundation

Mr. Spragg joined The Old Fort Banking Company in 2007 as President and Chief Executive Officer. He currently serves as Chairman, President and CEO of The Old Fort Banking Company and Gillmor Financial Services, Inc. Mr. Spragg is a seasoned banker with over 30 years of experience, having held several executive leadership roles with increasing responsibility, including executive level responsibility in areas of credit, commercial banking, lending, budgeting, asset & liability management, Private Banking, sales and strategic planning.

Mr. Spragg earned a B.A. in Business Administration from Catawba College and an MBA in Finance from the University of Findlay. He has an advanced degree from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin and is a graduate of the Advanced School of Commercial Credit, and the Ohio School of Commercial Credit and the Ohio School of Credit at Miami University.

Mr. Spragg has been involved in leadership roles for numerous corporate, professional and community organizations. His community activities currently include serving as Chairman of the Gillmor Charitable Foundation, and President of the Findlay Area Junior Golf Association.

Ways to Give

Your Support

The Paul M. and Lucy J. Gillmor Charitable Foundation recognizes that public support is important in any community foundation. As a member of the Seneca and Sandusky County communities you may be familiar with or have benefited from some of the entities the Foundation has funded. Your gift may be designated to support a specific fund or to help meet the needs of the community.

Your generous contributions will help to strengthen the capacity of the endowment fund, supporting charitable and educational resources in both Seneca and Sandusky County.

Your gift may be made “In Memory of” a loved one or “To Honor” a friend, colleague or beloved relative.

You can complete the "Make a Donation" form by clicking the button below.

Make A Donation

Receive

Purpose

The Gillmor Foundation is committed to funding charitable requests that will assist and promote the well-being of the citizens of Seneca and Sandusky Counties.

Eligibility

The Foundation welcomes grant applications from public and private organizations in the Counties of Seneca and Sandusky that are tax exempt according to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or are organized for a charitable purpose.

Grant Making Policy

Historically, the Foundation gives priority to applications in any field or program area that reflect one or more of the following characteristics:

• Develops new solutions to community problems
• Promotes or enhances youth sports or other productive youth activities
• Improves the quality of non-profit organizations
• Increases individual access to community services
• Encourages volunteerism, civic and community involvement
• Enhances quality of life through the arts
• Encourages entrepreneurial activities
• Promotes education

What Does the Foundation Typically Decline?

We rarely fund renovation or construction projects, make multi-year pledges or are the sole funder of a program or project.

• Loan payments

• More than a three (3) year commitment for multi-year funding

• Endowments

• Routine maintenance

• Individuals
  

Grant Request Information

Successful applications will address how the program or project addresses the Foundation's funding priorities.

• A letter of requests including a brief history of the organization
• Detail purpose
• Detail need
• Amount requested
• A summary of the project budget, including sources and amounts of projected income and expense

Download PDF

Please mail or deliver the grant request form and all supporting documentation to:

The Gillmor Charitable Foundation

C/O Old Fort Banking Company

Attn: Kristy Kahler

P.O. Box 627

Tiffin, Ohio 44883

Phone: (419) 580-2102

kkahler@oldfortbank.com

The Paul M. and Lucy J. Gillmor Charitable Foundation Board of Trustees is comprised of volunteers. The Board reviews applications on a quarterly basis in March, June, September and December. The Board carefully reviews and considers the merits of each grant application. All applicants will be notified by mail regarding the Board’s decision. Denied requests will not be reconsidered.

Press Releases

Gillmor Charitable Foundation Donates to Old Fort Church Backpack Program

(TIFFIN, OH) — The Gillmor Charitable Foundation recently donated $3500 to the Old Fort Church Backpack Program. This program was started to fill a void with children that attend Old Fort Elementary by providing basic, nutritious and easy to prepare food items. Each year this program serves over sixty students.

“We can’t thank the Gillmor Foundation enough for prioritizing the health and wellbeing of the students at our local school. Your donation is an investment in their growth, learning and future success. It also provides much-needed relief to the families struggling with food insecurity,” stated Lindsay Sooy, of the Old Fort Church.

We are pleased to support Old Fort Church Backpack Program. “We continue to be firm believers in the power of philanthropy, and what it does for the health of the communities we serve. In a mutually beneficial relationship, we thrive when those communities are healthy, secure and prosperous,” said Old Fort Banking Company President and CEO Michael C. Spragg.

Eric Willman, Gillmor Charitable Foundation Board Member, presents Lindsay Sooy of the Old Fort Church a check for $3,500 for their Backpack program.

Gillmor Charitable Foundation Donates to First Call For Help

(TIFFIN, OH) — The Gillmor Charitable Foundation recently donated $5000 to First Call For Help. This contribution aims to support Seneca County residents facing utility disconnects and in need of rental assistance, helping them during challenging times. First Call For Help, a primary partner of Tiffin-Seneca United Way, offers resources and referrals. Over time, First Call For Help has recognized service gaps and, with the support of generous organizations like The Gillmor Charitable Foundation, has been able to secure grants to fill these gaps and assist those in need.

We are pleased to support First Call For Help. “We continue to be firm believers in the power of philanthropy, and what it does for the health of the communities we serve. In a mutually beneficial relationship, we thrive when those communities are healthy, secure and prosperous,” said Old Fort Banking Company President and CEO Michael C. Spragg.

Tom Zirm, United Way Board Member and Old Fort Bank Associate, presents Nikki E. Distel, Office Manager, Tiffin-Seneca United Way a check for $5,000.

Gillmor Charitable Foundation Donates to FACT

(TIFFIN, OH) — The Gillmor Charitable Foundation recently donated $2,500 to Financial Assistance for Cancer Treatment, (FACT). Established in 1990, FACT is a non-profit 501(c)(3) agency dedicated to helping residents of Seneca County who have been diagnosed having cancer. They make their donations directly to patients for their out-of-pocket expenses.

We are pleased to support Financial Assistance for Cancer Treatment. “We continue to be firm believers in the power of philanthropy, and what it does for the health of the communities we serve. In a mutually beneficial relationship, we thrive when those communities are healthy, secure and prosperous,” said Old Fort Banking Company President and CEO Michael C. Spragg.

Lynn Reino, FACT President, left, is presented a check for $2,500 from Eric Willman, Board Member, Gillmor Charitable Foundation. Right is Barb Bronson, Vice President of FACT.

Old Fort Bank, Gillmor Charitable Foundation Exceed $2.4M in Charitable Giving

(TIFFIN, OH) – Old Fort Banking Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gillmor Financial Services Inc., and the Gillmor Charitable Foundation, are proud to announce that together they have surpassed $2.4 million in charitable donations since 2007.

“Giving back to the communities we serve has been a cornerstone of Old Fort Banking Company’s mission since its founding in 1916,” said Old Fort Banking Company President & CEO Michael C. Spragg. “We are proud to have reached this milestone, and it would not have been possible without the continued support of our clients.”

The Bank regularly gives to local causes in all forms, large and small. Since 2007, it has served as a sponsor and donor for numerous initiatives, including local events, charitable auctions, benefits, sports teams, golf outings, and more.

In addition, the Bank has contributed thousands of dollars in education scholarship funds through its annual Old Fort Banking Company and Gillmor Foundation Scholarships, which have been awarded to more than 88 local high school seniors since 1994.

“We have always been firm believers in the power of philanthropy, and what it can do for the health of the communities we serve. In a mutually beneficial relationship, we thrive when those communities are healthy, secure and prosperous,” said Spragg. “While we are extremely proud to celebrate this milestone, we have already begun looking ahead to 2024 and will continue our commitment to community support and service, just as we always have.”