4 nonprofits unite into 1 new home

SANDUSKY — Many coin the organizations as Erie County's fantastic foursome for philanthropy.And now each nonprofit can continue working toward improving the quality of life for community members together under one roof.The Erie County Community Foundation on Wednesday hosted an open house to show off wide-sweeping renovations to its headquarters at 135 E. Washington Row, formerly occupied by Key Bank. Guests attending the baseball-themed event could eat Cracker Jacks, watch "A League of Their Own" and mingle with officials dressed in Cleveland Indians uniforms.Starting this spring, and recently wrapping up, the project totaled about $737,400, which consisted of renovating entrance areas; updating facades with sharp blue awnings; and upgrading offices, conference rooms and spaces where public-oriented entities can gather for meetings.All work helped the foundation maintain and expand upon its presence in downtown Sandusky."We wanted to be a part of all the exciting things going on downtown, and our board of directors decided it was a priority to stay downtown," foundation executive director Beth Maiden said.The building at 135 E. Washington Row in downtown Sandusky underwent many upgrades, totaling about $737,400. Tasks included new facades and entrances. It has housed the Erie County Community Foundation. Three other area nonprofits — the United Way of Erie County, the Sandusky Education Foundation; and the Boys & Girls Club of Erie County — recently relocated into the building.What's also new: Foundation members invited three other nonprofits to relocate inside the building and join them: the Boys & Girls Club of Erie County, the Sandusky Education Foundation and the United Way of Erie County.This not only ensures stability for each organization but allows for a more efficient and streamlined approach in serving area residents, officials said."We wanted to be here so we can get more exposure," said Lisa Dudukovich, the Boys and Girls Club's executive director. "The club previously operated from within the First Congregational United Church of Christ. "It's important that the community knows where we are. The more exposure we get, the more kids we can help serve."The building at 135 E. Washington Row in downtown Sandusky underwent about $737,400 in upgrades, which included renovating spaces for the four nonprofits — the Erie County Community Foundation, the United Way of Erie County, the Sandusky Education Foundation; and the Boys & Girls Club of Erie County — located there so they can better serve residents in hopes of improving quality of life for all.Maiden wholeheartedly agrees."It was a priority for us to bring these nonprofits downtown and offer them space," Maiden said. "They know they're in a nice space, and their rents not going to go up."The Dorn Foundation contributed $500,000 for the project."We are very grateful," Maiden said. "They gave us a large grant that made it possible for us to not only have this nice space for ourselves but to also offer it to the community as well."After renovating the building at 135 E. Washington Row in downtown Sandusky, four area nonprofits now share one home. They are, with each of their executive directors' pictured, from left: Beth Maiden with the Erie County Community Foundation; Amy Skolnik with the United Way of Erie County; Jennifer Lippus with the Sandusky Education Foundation; and Lisa Dudukovich with the Boys & Girls Club of Erie County.Bio blastAmong the four nonprofit organizations located at 135 E. Washington Row in Sandusky and what each does:• Erie County Community Foundation: Identify and respond to community needs along with facilitating charitable giving; Since opening in 1995, the foundation has awarded about $19 million to about 200 different local nonprofits.• Boys & Girls Club of Erie County: Enable young people reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. Since opening an Erie County chapter in 1998, the club has served more than 3,000 children.• United Way of Erie County: Increase the organized capacity for people to care about one another; In 2017, the organization raised $250,000, which helped out various local entities related to education, health, safety and financial stability.• Sandusky Education Fund: Provide a tax-exempt, independent vehicle to benefit the capital and operating needs of Sandusky SchoolsMaking sense of the dollars and centsA major building renovation project for the Erie County Community Foundation at its base, 135 E. Washington St., totaled $737,400, broken down with:• $500,000: money coming from the Dorn Foundation• $117,400: money coming from grants, donors, board and staff contribution• $100,000: money coming from the Erie County Community Foundation• $20,000: money coming from Sandusky's government specifically for facade and awningSource: Sandusky economic development officeThe building at 135 E. Washington Row in downtown Sandusky underwent about $737,400 in upgrades, which included renovating spaces for the four nonprofits — the Erie County Community Foundation, the United Way of Erie County, the Sandusky Education Foundation; and the Boys & Girls Club of Erie County — located there so they can better serve residents in hopes of improving quality of life for all.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.The building at 135 E. Washington Row in downtown Sandusky underwent about $737,400 in upgrades, which included revamping spaces for the four nonprofits — the Erie County Community Foundation, the United Way of Erie County, the Sandusky Education Foundation; and the Boys & Girls Club of Erie County — located there so they can better serve residents in hopes of improving quality of life for all.