Shank Foundation

## Approach Strategy

The Shank Foundation is a small private foundation based in Mansfield, Ohio (Richland County), run by Officer Karl Milliron and Trustee Dorothy Andress. Founded in 2014 with minimal assets, the foundation grew dramatically after a $3.1M contribution in 2022-2023, transforming from a micro-philanthropy into a mid-sized community foundation almost overnight.

The giving pattern is quintessential small-town Midwest community giving: United Way, St. Jude's, Shriners Hospital, veterans services, a local outdoor camp, and a food bank. Every grantee except St. Jude's (Memphis), Shriners Hospital (Tampa), and Greater Cleveland Food Bank is located in Richland County or Mansfield metro.

Critical insight: This foundation is fully preselected. All grants go to organizations Karl Milliron or Dorothy Andress personally choose. shank.org is a "coming soon" domain with no content. No open applications.

This foundation is most accessible to organizations embedded in the Mansfield/Richland County community ecosystem. Personal relationships with Karl Milliron through local United Way chapters, veterans organizations, or civic clubs are the most likely path.

## Funding Patterns

The foundation went from near-dormant (under $10K assets, under $1K in annual giving 2015-2021) to fully operational after receiving a $3.1M contribution in 2021-2022.

Historical giving: - 2024: $180,000 (8 grants) — most active year on record - 2023: $151,000 (5 grants) - 2022: $1,000 (1 grant — St. Jude's only) - 2021: $1,000 (1 grant) - 2020: $300 (Life Point Church) - 2019 and prior: under $1,100/year

FY2024 grant breakdown: United Way of Richland County, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Shriners Hospital, Richland County Veterans Services, Blue Rose Mission, Pleasant Hill Outdoor Camp, Richland County Children's Auxiliary, Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Maximum grant: $54,000 (likely United Way). Median: $24,000.

Asset trajectory: $8,975 (2020) → $167,843 (2021) → $3,288,121 (2022) → $3,870,449 (2023) → $4,367,814 (2024). The 2021-2022 jump likely reflects a major estate gift or wealth event for the Shank family or Milliron.

At current giving rates ($150-180K/year) and an asset base of $4.4M, this foundation is in an early phase of establishing its philanthropic identity and may expand its grantee list over time.

## Peer Comparison

For Richland County organizations, the Richland County Foundation (the local community foundation) and United Way of Richland County are far more accessible than the Shank Foundation. The Shank Foundation's giving is essentially a subset of what United Way would fund anyway — giving to United Way's own budget appears in the Shank grantee list.

National organizations like St. Jude's and Shriners Hospital likely receive Shank funding through recurring personal commitments of Karl Milliron rather than competitive applications.

## Application Tips

Bottom line: Do not apply cold. The Shank Foundation has no website, no application process, and gives entirely to preselected organizations in Karl Milliron's personal network.

For Richland County/Mansfield, Ohio organizations:

1. United Way of Richland County: The United Way is both a direct Shank grantee and a funding mechanism itself. Joining the United Way's Community Impact Fund process is the most effective route to reach organizations like the Shank Foundation indirectly.

2. Veterans organizations in Richland County: Richland County Veterans Services is a consistent grantee. Organizations that collaborate with or serve Richland County veterans may be on Milliron's radar.

3. Outdoor youth education: Pleasant Hill Outdoor Camp in Perrysville is a recurring grantee. Youth camps, outdoor education, or nature-based programs in north-central Ohio may align.

4. Faith-based social services: Blue Rose Mission and Life Point Church (Plymouth OH) suggest Christian faith motivates some giving. Mansfield-area faith-based social service organizations may be in scope.

For national organizations (medical/health): St. Jude's and Shriners Hospital relationships appear personal (likely the Shank family had a personal connection to pediatric illness). These are unlikely to expand to new national organizations.

Alternative funders for Richland County: Richland County Foundation, Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, and the Nationwide Foundation (Columbus-area, statewide grants) are more accessible alternatives with open applications.