The Community Impact Project Fund

Building for the Future Campaign

The Bryan Area Foundation’s 2021 to 2023 strategic plan identified several projects and initiatives, but mostly, a philosophical shift for the Foundation. The Bryan Area Foundation would, with intention and purpose, shift in all aspects of serving the community from being “reactive” to being “proactive” in fulfilling its mission to “enhance the quality of life for all citizens of our area.” No longer would we wait for a funding request to address community needs or enhancements. Instead, we would evaluate the greatest areas of opportunity and utilize our resources to address the needs present.

The first target? The revitalization of downtown Bryan, Ohio.

Bryan Area Foundation members established the Community Impact Committee (CIC) to evaluate and address the reasons behind the decline in the number and quality of businesses within Bryan’s downtown area. At the root of the issue, they found the cost of restoring and renovating the historic buildings prohibitive for would-be entrepreneurs and investors. To assist this need, the Bryan Area Foundation Trustees allocated $150,000 from the retained earnings of Bryan’s Community Fund as seed money to create the Community Impact Project Fund. Not long after, the Bryan Area Foundation was the beneficiary of an estate gift.

Since the initial funding, over one million has been invested in restoring historical buildings on or near the Williams County Courthouse Square. Additionally, the Foundation invested in developing the “Live the Sweet Life” brand, website, and social media assets to market Bryan as a great place to visit and an even greater place to live. It also provided the seed funding to establish the holiday Christkindl Market of Bryan event.

In 2025, the Bryan Area Foundation CIC is focused on further investment in historic downtown buildings and generating additional economic development opportunities to benefit all.

To showcase some of the projects completed thus far, we have created a series of “Building for the Future” videos featuring buildings enhanced by the Forgivable Loan Program alongside community partner Bryan Development.

If interested in learning more about this campaign, contact the Bryan Area Foundation at  419.633.1156. Click here to donate to the “Building for the Future” campaign.