Giving Back to a Place That’s Given So Much
Honoring a Father’s – and a Family’s – Legacy of Giving Back Through the Tostenson Family Foundation Fund
Cambridge, OH – Ann Lawrence remembers her parents, especially her father Neal Tostenson, as a man who “helped others and got things done, but didn’t expect anything in return.” Growing up in Cambridge in Guernsey County reinforced this life lesson of generosity and coming together to help others. That’s why Ms. Lawrence and her siblings, Amy Booth, Neal Halvor Tostenson, and Kurt Tostenson, established the Tostenson Family Foundation Fund with the Guernsey County Foundation’s Family of Funds.
Ms. Lawrence and her siblings chose to start a fund with the Guernsey County Foundation because it gives them a way to give back at home.
“My family is a permanent part of this community, which allows us to hear what is happening and what is needed,” stated Ms. Lawrence. “Establishing a fund allows our family to give to the things that touch our hearts and direct funding to where it needs to be.”
The decision to start a fund remembering their parents, Neal and Beverly, both 1952 Cambridge High School graduates, with the Guernsey County Foundation was an easy one. Mr. Tostenson, a longtime attorney and renowned leader in the coal and energy industry, knew the Guernsey County Foundation and its partner the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) well. Seeing the good work his clients did through their funds, Mr. Tostenson and his family followed the impact of the Guernsey County Foundation closely, and knew it would help them carry on a family legacy.
“There are many ways to give back to a community, whether through time, money, or ideas, but it all comes back to looking outside of yourself to make a difference in someone’s life and a change in your community,” said Ms. Lawrence.
The Guernsey County Foundation receives contributions and bequests of all sizes to assist in the funding of projects and charitable organizations. Through a unique collaboration with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, the Guernsey County Foundation extends its philanthropic efforts throughout the community.
FAO’s mission is to create opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. A central part of this work is to support communities across areas essential to community and regional quality of life. Called the Pillars of Prosperity, these areas include arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services. FAO’s efforts across these areas give us all the chance to invest in what’s closest to our hearts.
For more information about how you can permanently impact your community like Ann Lawrence and her siblings did, please visit www.AppalachianOhio.org or call 740.753.1111.
About the Guernsey County Foundation
The Guernsey County Foundation receives contributions and bequests of all sizes from individuals to assist in the funding of projects and charitable organizations. Through this unique collaboration with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, the Guernsey County Foundation extends its philanthropic efforts throughout our community. More information can be found at www.guernseycountyfoundation.org or www.AppalachianOhio.org.
About the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation creates opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. For more information about FAO, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org.
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