Mark Kraus Shares About the Clinton County Foundation

"Shop with a Cop" Event, Mark Kraus (far right)

"My goal is to have [the Clinton County Foundation] be as out front and as involved as we can be," said Mark Kraus, Executive Director of the Clinton County Foundation (CCF), located at 2333 Rombach Avenue.

Kraus, originally from the Dayton area and currently a resident of Jamestown, saw the position at the CCF, and "put [his] hat in the ring." Three weeks later, Kraus took on the position. He has 36 years of prior experience in philanthropy and nonprofit management, including work with the Boy Scouts of America. According to Kraus, the foundation was managing roughly $36 million when he began and is now managing over $41 million, as the funds grew roughly 17% in 2025.

The CCF started as a community foundation in 1986 and was ran by a board of trustees until 2015, when they hired their first part-time director. The foundation currently manages 117 funds that provide donations and scholarships to people in Clinton County. Of those funds, they hold four funds internally and have started five new funds in December. The minimum amount to start a fund is $25,000. Of the 117 funds, there are funds related to medical, education, arts, and more. Kraus stated, "Our work is to help the nonprofits in the community accomplish their mission." He continued on to state, "There's money there to really benefit folks of various stages in their life."

The foundation's key focuses are education, health and wellness, and economic development—helping businesses give back to the community. This even includes literacy, mental health, and community involvement. Kraus spoke extensively of the challenge with literacy in Clinton County. During Kraus's leadership, the foundation started a literacy collaborative with key partners in Clinton County, including Kids Read Now, who will complete a study and create a community literacy plan. The group will then determine how to fund the plan.

In addition to this, the CCF also hosts community events like 'Shop with a Cop,' where local kids get to shop for Christmas presents with a local cop. The foundation also "played a role" in the funding of the new pickleball courts at Denver Park.

Learn more on episode 79 of the Real Change Wilmington Podcast or visit clintoncountyohiofoundation.org.