Campaign Goal: $998,000

Projects Funded

Girl Scouts

Boy Scouts

Goodwill Industries

YMCA-YWCA

Ford Russell, Chairperson

The first campaign resulted in an allocation of funds to build a combined YMCA-YWCA where the facility stands to this day. Other projects in this pilot campaign included funding a Girl Scout Camp, improvements to the Boy Scout Camp, and a building and renovation project for Goodwill Industries.

Campaign Goal: $455,000

Projects Funded

Ashtabula College Committee

Boy Scouts

Girl Scouts

Goodwill Industries

Kiwanis Fresh Air Camp

YMCA-YWCA

J. Herbert Laird, Chairperson

As part of this successful campaign, more than $103,000 was allocated for the Ashtabula College Committee. This was the local requirement for matching funds to construct Main Hall  at the present Kent State University Ashtabula Campus. Goodwill Industries recevied funding for a new vocational training center.

Campaign Goal: $622,000

Projects Funded

Ashtabula Arts Center

Ashtabula College Committee

Boy Scouts

Community Service Center

Girl Scouts

Society for the Handicapped

YMCA-YWCA

Frank E. Koski, Jr., Chairperson

The 1970 capital campaign funds received by the Ashtabula Arts Center were the catalyst for construction of a new building for classrooms and offices on the site still occupied by the center today. The campaign, through The Society for the Handicapped, also provided funds for renovations of the children’s home to provide therapy services.

Campaign Goal: $971,648

Projects Funded

Ashtabula Arts Center

Ashtabula College Committee

Boy Scouts

Family Services Agency

Geneva Civic Center

Girl Scouts

Goodwill Industries

Human Services Center

Jefferson Recreation  Board

Pierpont Volunteer Fire Department

Residential Services Corporation

YMCA-YWCA

William J. McCarthy and Frank E. Koski, Jr., Chairmen

The focus of the fourth campaign was on human services. The major allocation of funds was for the construction of a human services center on 27 acres of land in Ashtabula Township donated to Ashtabula County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse by Howard Donahoe. Today the property is known as the Donahoe Center. Several projects at the developing campus of Kent State University Ashtabula were as funded from this campaign.

Campaign Goal: $1,700,000

Projects Funded

Ashtabula Arts Center

Ashtabula College Committee

Boy Scouts

Lake Area Recovery Center

Catholic Service League

Children Services Board

Conneaut Community Center

Conneaut Human Resource Center

Family Services Agency

Geneva Civic Center

Girl Scouts

Goodwill Industries

Harpersfield Volunteer Fire Dept

Homesafe

Human Services Center

Pierpont Volunteer Fire Department

Red Cross

Residential Services Corporation

Shea Civic Theater

YMCA-YWCA

Ted Grant, Chairperson

The 1980 Campaign goal was set at $1.7M to support 22 projects – the loftiest goal in the 20-year history of CDC. Radical changes were taking place in the local and national economies that were having far-reaching impacts on the human services system in Ashtabula County. The economic conditions challenged CDC’s traditional fundraising and confirmed its ability to adapt to the times by finding alternative funding sources. This was a testament to the effectiveness of the organization and its unique system of providing for community needs. The largest allocation for this campaign was received by the Ashtabula County Children Services Board for the construcction of a Children’s Receiving Home at the Donahoe Center.

Campaign Goal: $1,705,200

Projects Funded

Ashtabula Arts Center

Boy Scouts

Lake Area Recovery Center

Community Action Agency

Conneaut Community Center

Conneaut Human Resource Center

Council on Aging

Country Neighbor Program

Donahoe Center/ACTS

Geneva Civic Center

Goodwill Industries

Homesafe

Multi-Agency Computer System

Red Cross

Society for the Handicapped

YMCA-YWCA

Youth Development Center

Jack Zaback and Robert Rowley, Chairmen

The 1985 campaign marked a quarter century of service to provide for the captial needs in Ashtabula County. Allocations of $405,000 to seven projects provided the required matching funds to attact over $2M in state and federal funds for new buildings and renovation activities. This campaign also marked the hiring of the first paid executive director, Mr. Garth Winkler. This was a joint effort between CDC and the United Way of Ashtabula County for the coordination of mutual activities and priorities. 

Campaign Goal: $2,200,000

Projects Funded

Ashtabula Arts Center

Ashtabula Co. Transport System (ACTS)

Community Action Agency

Conneaut Community Center (Kilpi Hall)

Conneaut Human Resource Center

Economic Development Center (Growth Partnership)

Geneva Civic Center

Goodwill Industries

Homesafe

Jefferson Memorial Field

Lake Area Recovery Center

United Way

YMCA

Interactive Television Network

Economic Development Impact Fund

New Initiatives Fund

Joseph DelPriore and George Kaull, Chairmen

The 1990 campaign had a broader focas than the six previous campaigns. Recognizing education as a key element in the quality of life in Ashtabula County. CDC formed an Education Task Force to create a partnership between public and private sectors. Ashtabula County public schools, KSUAC, local businesses, and regional development agencies joined forces with the regional utility service providers to develop a learning opportunity for students that would otherwise be unattainable. The development of the Ashtabula County Interactive Television Network expanded cirriculum offerings county wide. This campaign also saw the creation of off-campaign year funds to respond to projects that arose between campaign cycles.

Campaign Goal: $2,000,000

Projects Funded

Ashtabula Arts Center

Child and Family Development Center

Communication Station

Conneaut Human Resource Council: Right Track Program

Country Neighbor Program

Economic Development Impact Fund

Geneva Community Center

Homesafe

Lake Area Recovery Center

New Initiatives Projects

YMCA

Richard Selip, Chairperson

The 1995 campaign addressed many of the community objectives identified in the ACT 2000 public goal setting process. Education was again a primary focus of CDC. An allocation of $470,000 was used to update all of the County’s public high school science laboratories. A Wide Area Computer Network was added to the Interactive Television Network to expand the use of technology for all students. Funds from this campaign also helped the Ashtabula County Community Action Agendy to fund renovations to house Headstart and Early Sart programs.

Campaign Goal: $2,100,000

Projects Funded

After School Discovery

Ashtabula Arts Center

Ashtabula Little League

Communication Station

Conneaut Community Center

Conneaut Human Resource Center

Homesafe

Western Reserve Greenway (Rails-to-Trails)

YMCA

Education Initiative

New Initiatives Fund

Economic Development Impact Fund

Nicholas J. Jammal, Chairperson

Recreation and youth programs were the strong focus of the 2000 campaign. Eight of the nine projects selected were focused on delivering programming for youth and families. The campaign also continued to fund the New Initiative and Economic Development Funds which were set up to assist projects that were not in the 5-year campaign cycle. The Economic Development Fund provided local match dollars to assist Growth Partnership in attracting matching dollars from other sources. CDC determined its funds for education should support long-term improvements. To that end the Education Initiative Fund was established in partnership with The Ashtabula Foundation.

Campaign Goal: $2,300,000

Projects Funded

Ashtabula County Antique Engine Club

Ashtabula County Family Y

Ashtabula County Metroparks

Camp Whitewood 4-H Camp

Conneaut Community Center

Country Neighbor Program

Growth Partnership Economic Development Center Building

Non-Profit Organization Center

Western Reserve Greenway

Education Initiative (PEAC)

Growth Partnership Economic Development Impact Fund

Lori A. Herpen, Chairperson

The 2005 campaign’s focus on education, economic development, human services, and recreation continued the Civic Development Corporation’s tradition of funding projects that touch the lives of residents throughout Ashtabula County. The building of the YMCA was the cornerstone project that launched Civic Development Corporation’s fundraising efforts. The Y has been a part of every campaign since and serves as an example of providing for a large cross section of the community.

Campaign Goal: $2,000,000

Projects Funded

Ashtabula Arts Center

Ashtabula County Family YMCA

Ashtabula County Metroparks

City of Geneva

Conneaut Port Authority

Economic Development Through Tourism Enhancement

Education Impact Fund

GaREAT Medical & Aquatics Center

Growth Partnership Economic Development Impact Fund

Lift Bridge Community Association

Norah Anderson, Campaign  Director

In 2010 Ashtabula County and the nation were rebuilding from an economic downturn that caused creative thinking and actions to reach fundraising goals. At this time, Ashtabula County’s 3rd largest industry was tourism. CDC worked with several community groups and the Ashtabula County Convention and Visitors Bureau to support projects and plans to stimulate economic growth through tourism. The projects selected in this campaign appealed to both local residents as well as visitors to our county.

Campaign Goal: $1,615,500

Projects Funded

Antique Engine Club

Ashtabula Arts Center

Ashtabula County Family YMCA

Ashtabula County Metroparks

Ashtabula Downtown Development Association

Conneaut Arts Center

Conneaut Human Resources Center

D-Day Ohio

Historic Ashtabula Harbor

Interstate 90 Beautification Project Phase II

Kent State University Ashtabula Campus

Orwell Area Joint Recreation District

Walnut Beach Revitalization Project

Melinda McNutt, Campaign Director

Placemaking was the theme for the 2015 campaign. Placemaking is a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design, and management of public spaces. Project selection was focused on increasing recreational opportunities in our county park systems, providing funding for arts and culture, developing key transit areas, and supporting programs for seniors and children.