b'TO OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS,Its been two years of masking, social distancing, Zoom and Teams meetings, and learning to pivot. Seeing faces on a computer screen helps keep the work of the Community Foundation moving forward, but it is no substitute for an in-person smile, fist bump, or even a hug. This vibrant, sunny annual report easily reflects our mood here in beautiful Sandusky, Ohio, as those masks are coming off, and our offices are filled with friendly faces once again.Philanthropy is about peopledonors who care enough to leave lasting legacies byestablishing Funds, caring and committed community members who run our civic institu-tions and area nonprofit organizations, and volunteers who keep us running and focused combine together to make lasting change. Whether gathered around the conference room table or meeting electronically, people collaborating makes all this work possible.2021 was a momentous year for the Erie County Community Foundation in so manyways. Our assets grew to$43 million with the help of several bequests and smart investments, and through the support of the Randolph J. and Estelle M. Dorn Foundation that offered an incredibly generous matching grant.We distributed over $288,000in competitive Community Grants to 48 nonprofit organizations and over $151,000 in scholarships to Erie County students.We embarked on a newstrategic plan, and due to our growth, we added a Director of Development and Marketing to our staff. Additionally, we have taken on the leadership roleof helping develop the Huron County Community Foundation Elizabeth Maiden was presented the into a fully independent nonprofit organization as of July 1, 2021.Visionary Leadership Award from Erie Our office is lively, busy, and humming with good work. County Economic Development Corporation in 2021.This report shares so many of the Faces of Philanthropy thatare making Erie County a more thriving community. There is a thirty-five-year span between the ages of our featured donors, but both Brett Charville and Ann and Carl McGookey actively found ways to work with the Foundation through their Donor- Advised Funds. The Sandusky Artisans and Firelands Montessori have such different missions and visions, but they both work to help others live their very best lives.We do know that our most difficult work lies ahead of us as we continue growing and tackling the challenges Erie County faces, but we are so incredibly grateful for the ongoing support andlove that this community has shown us time and again.With gratitude,Keep your faceElizabeth P. Maiden, Executive Director always towardsthe sunshineand shadows will fallbehind you.Walt Whitman'