The Community Foundation of Lorain County

08/26/2026

In 1995, Dolly Parton started mailing books to children in her home county to inspire children to love reading in honor of her dad, who couldn’t read or write.

That idea lives here too. Every month, almost 12,000 children in Lorain County find a book in the mailbox — because of neighbors who fund it, volunteers who run it, and a woman from Sevier County, TN who started it all.

Thank you, Dolly. We will always love you.

08/26/2026

Today, we join millions in remembering Dolly Parton. Dolly's kindness and belief in the power of reading changed the lives of children around the world.... Including right here in Lorain County.

Through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, more than 300 million books have found their way into the hands of young readers, inspiring a lifelong love of learning. As we honor her extraordinary legacy, we invite you to help ensure that gift continues for children here in Lorain County as we near our 1 million book goal.

Donate today and help keep Dolly's vision alive for the next generation: https://lorain.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1021

"When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer. The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.” - Dolly Parton

In 1995, Dolly Parton started mailing books to children in her home county to inspire children to love reading in honor of her dad, who couldn’t read or write.

That idea lives here too. Every month, almost 12,000 children in Lorain County find a book in the mailbox — because of neighbors who fund it, volunteers who run it, and a woman from Sevier County, TN who started it all.

Thank you, Dolly. We will always love you.

08/24/2026

Did you know Connect to a Cause brings together more than 110 nonprofits in the largest one-day giving event in Lorain County?

Every September, over 1000 donors come together to support the organizations that strengthen our communities — from programs serving children and families to local arts, education, health, housing initiatives, and more.

Prefer to give by cash or check early? Download the official offline donation form, complete it, and mail or drop off your gift by 8 p.m. on Sept. 17:https://e1.nmcdn.io/assets/cflc/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Connect-to-a-Cause-Offline-Donation-Form.pdf

Every gift stays local and helps make a difference right here in Lorain County.

08/24/2026

Did you know our nonprofits are teaming up with Lorain County's local businesses so you can dine to donate to Connect to a Cause?

Check out what our friends at Elyria Community Partnership is doing and how you can participate!

💙 CONNECT TO A CAUSE AND SUPPORT YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL BUSINESSES! 💙

From September 11th–17th, Elyria Community Partnership is joining nonprofits across Lorain County for the Community Foundation of Lorain County’s Connect to a Cause campaign—and we’re bringing it right into our local businesses!

❤ Support Your Favorite Local Business
Participating businesses will have Connect to a Cause donation boxes in their stores. Every in-person donation supports ECP while counting toward that business’s fundraising total.

🏆 Help Them Win!
The business that raises the most will receive 10% of the total funds raised for ECP! So stop in, make a donation, and help your favorite business take the top spot while giving back to Elyria.

📍 Participating Businesses:
Ally Rose Creations • Carly’s Ceramics • Design by Kathy V • Find It Keep It • Keith’s Comics • Mystical Moon • Potted Joy • Roxy’s Emporium • Voodoo Zombie Video • MORE TBA

🍽️ ANOTHER WAY TO SUPPORT - DINE TO DONATE on Thursday, September 17th
Show this flyer at Erie Island Coffee or the Foundry Kitchen and 10% of your purchase will be donated to ECP’s Connect to a Cause campaign!

Support local. Give back. Help your favorite business win! 💙

🔗 More info: elyriatogether.org/connect

08/24/2026

It's almost time for Neighbor Night Lorain! Join the Community Foundation of Lorain County for a FREE evening of community conversation where you set the discussion's pace and action items over a light dinner.

📅 Thursday, August 27
🕠 6:00-8:00 PM
📍 Harrison Cultural Community Centre
🍽 Light dinner provided

Neighbor Nights to bring together residents, organizations and community leaders to share ideas, celebrate wins, and explore ways to strengthen Lorain County together.

As always, Neighbor Nights continue to be a great place to bring a friend, coworker, or well, a neighbor, for an evening of conversation that inspires community action!

Sign up today: https://lorain.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=9481

08/21/2026

Happy Friday Lorain County!

Today, we continue our Find Your Cause Friday by spotlighting the Main Street organizations and community partnerships that keep our downtowns vibrant and full of life!

Main Street organizations do much more than plan festivals and events. They also help support small businesses, promote economic development, enhance public spaces, and bring community members together to our vibrant downtown districts.

💡Main Street Amherst Ohio
💡Main Street Lorain
💡Oberlin Business Partnership
💡Main Street Vermilion
💡Main Street Wellington, Inc.
💡Elyria Community Partnership

We are so grateful to see so many corners of our county participate in this powerful one-day giving event.... How do you plan on connecting to a cause this Sept. 17? Learn more about each of our main streets and community partnerships today: https://lorain.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/grant?grant_cycle_id=1561

08/20/2026

💙 Connect to a Cause is coming September 17! 💚

For 12 hours, our community will come together to support local nonprofits through the Community Foundation of Lorain County — and Road to Hope is proud to be participating!

Every donation to Road to Hope helps us continue providing safe recovery housing, resources, and support to individuals and families as they build lives in recovery. No gift is too small to make a difference. 💙

📅 Thursday, September 17, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

💻 Donate online on September 17:
https://www.peoplewhocare.org/connecttoacause

📝 Prefer to donate by cash or check? Download the offline donation form here:
https://e1.nmcdn.io/assets/cflc/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Connect-to-a-Cause-Offline-Donation-Form.pdf

Thank you for supporting Road to Hope and helping us continue Sharing the Journey. 💚

08/19/2026

Our 2026-27 Youth Fund cohort kicks off this Sunday in the Community Foundation boardroom with the first of TWO orientation sessions! 🎉

If you are a high school student looking to build leadership skills, make new connections, earn community service hours, and help make a difference in Lorain County, there's still time to get involved.

Typically, our youth are asked, "What do you want to be one day?"

But the Youth Fund instead asks students what they want to do NOW.

The Youth Fund brings together students from across the county to learn about philanthropy, grant make, support local causes, and create positive change in their communities.

Learn more about our Youth Fund today. We cannot wait to kick off this school year strong with our first of two orientations (August 23 & September 27) - All Lorain County high school students are welcome: https://www.peoplewhocare.org/resources/2026-27-youth-fund-orientation

08/19/2026

The Hispanic Fund has been busy celebrating the people and traditions that make Lorain County stronger throughout the past month!

From partnering with the Lake Erie Crushers for the debut of Los Loros de la Costa Erie during the inaugural COPA de la Diversión celebration to joining community members at the Lorain Puerto Rican Parade & Festival, the Hispanic Fund has been proud to connect with community members while honoring Hispanic and Latino heritage!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, shared a conversation and celebrated with us.

Interested in becoming a Hispanic Fund member? Check out their affiliate fund landing page and fill out the membership application form today: https://www.peoplewhocare.org/affiliate-funds/hf