Shea McGrew to head up Ottawa County Community Foundation
By MARCIA JESS
Ottawa County Community Foundation
The Ottawa County Community Foundation recently hired Shea McGrew as the nonprofit organization’s new executive director. He began his role April 1.
“We are excited to announce this new position for the Foundation,” said OCCF board of directors president Jan Preston. “Shea is the ideal candidate to serve in this important leadership role, and we look forward to the contributions he will make offering his skills, experience and management style to help this organization grow. We are fortunate to have someone with Shea’s background … to contribute to the overall growth of the Foundation.”
The new position reports to the board of directors. In July of 2020, OCCF suffered the loss of its long-time president and founder, Joy Roth. In the interim, Nancy Heller served as interim executive director while helping the organization to formulate a search for the best long-term candidate to honor Roth’s leadership, going forward. The executive director is charged with meeting goals and contributing to the overall growth of the foundation while overseeing both the day-to-day operations for the organization and the special initiatives. OCCF has distributed more than $6 million in community grants and scholarships, since its establishment in 1999, and has current assets of 11.2 million.
Most recently the vice president for institutional advancement at Muskingum University, McGrew was responsible for development, alumni relations and key university publications and events. He also led a $30 million campaign for the Health and Wellness Complex.
Prior to that, he held positions with Bowling Green State University as vice president university advancement and president/CEO of the BGSU Foundation; Michigan Technological University as vice president for advancement/president of the MTU Foundation; and Capital University as vice president for university relations.
McGrew has significant experience in operational and program management, including at two university foundations, each with over $100 million in assets. He has secured major gifts while concurrently building annual giving productivity and is well-versed in the planning and leadership of campaigns. His skills in working with boards to develop and implement strategic priorities and direction will be important to OCCF, as it looks to the future.
“My goal is to reach out regularly to donors, prospective donors and the community to build relationships of trust and to ‘tell the story’ of the Ottawa County Community Foundation,” said McGrew. “I look forward to working with OCCF’s dynamic Board and to furthering the mission of creating a better community for generations to come.”
For information about grants, scholarships, donating or OCCF updates, email ottawaccf@gmail.com or visit ottawaccf.org. The OCCF office, 306 Madison St., Port Clinton, is open from noon until 3 p.m. every Wednesday. Donations may be sent to the Ottawa County Community Foundation at P.O. Box 36, Port Clinton, OH 43452, or made online.
