Become a Founder's Circle Member

Founder's Circle

The Foundation for Community Betterment’s Founders’ Circle is comprised of donors who give $1,000 or more annually for a minimum of 5 years to support our general foundation efforts. This group has already played a significant role in our ability to create and fulfill our mission, and now they will lead the way to our future. Throughout the next several years, we will include and recognize this important group in many of our events and campaign activities.

For more information on how to join the Founders’ Circle, please contact us at info@communitybetterment.org. If you would like to join the Founders' Circle now, please click here.

A very special thanks to the following Founders’ Circle members - past and present:

Elizabeth & Ted Baroody

“We are fortunate to count ourselves as Founder's Circle members. By giving...we receive! We believe that Betterment provides us the opportunity to see our gifts at work in a direct and immediate way.!”

Jennifer Rankin Byrne and Norman Byrne

“Since Betterment's earliest days, we have been huge believers in its mission and its unique approach to philanthropy. What's more, we will always be grateful for the experiences and friendships we have made by being a part of this organization. We are proud to support Betterment's tireless efforts to help those in need and continue a ripple effect of goodness that touches so many lives.”

Julie Chamberlain

“It is every man's obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.”
Albert Einstein

Robert and Patricia Chamberlain

“We recognize the opportunity which Betterment provides to directly impact the lives of people who require it most at a critical point in their time of need.”

Brendan, (Lindsay), (Katelyn), and Alexis Curley

“We have seen tremendous growth of Betterment through the years and continue to help people all over, it is important to continue to match that growth infrastructure to support it. One of the greatest things is that we get to share or passion for Betterment with our kids in hopes that they will find philanthropy as important as we do.”

Patrick and Carolyn Curley

“We always feel good when we give to Betterment. It is very personal and we know the monies are helping an individual or an organization get through tough times and we also know the monies immediately impact a wide variety of recipients.”

Michael Curley

“I joined the Founders’ Circle because Betterment has taken philanthropy from an abstract concept to a series of highly personal events. I like being part of the Betterment Family."

Shannon, Nate, Finn & Rylea Tower

“It has been an honor to have been a part of Betterment since the beginning, and we are so proud of all the foundation has been able to accomplish in the past 20 years! We continue to give to Betterment because we believe that the ripple effect truly matters, and through touching one individual at a time we can impact our communities. This is so important to share with the next generation; The Lemonade Ripple is one of our favorite books!.”

Jennifer and Max Deuble, The Deuble Foundation

Melissa and Sean Garry

“We are so proud to be a part of the Betterment Family and excited to join the Founders’s Circle. This allows us to help make a difference in people’s lives while also teaching our family what it means to give back. We look forward to the continual growth of Betterment as it reaches new areas while helping those in need.”

R. Walter, Moira, (Abigail), (Trey) and (Sophia) Hammond

“We made our commitment to the Founder’s Circle in the belief that Community Betterment with the right support can become a sustainable organization for our generation as well as the next. The immediacy of the support that Betterment provides to those in its communities is an inspiration and a reminder to us that we should not lose focus on those close to us in our community who need a helping hand. We look forward to continuing our support of Betterment today and in the future.”

MaryEllen Holcomb

“Betterment, for me, is a hands-on fund raising organization. I know the people handling the funds and I usually get to meet the recipients and hear their needs. I decided to join the Founders Circle so I would continue to know where my contributions go rather than mailing off other contributions and never knowing how much reaches the needy. And the members are terrific!”

Bo Johns and Michael Hennessy

Todd and Carolyn Kennedy

Judy and Ed Knapp

Joe & Jeneen Marziani

Brett & Kristine Milkie

Dana & Mary Milkie

“The Foundation for Community Betterment holds a very special place in the heart of the Milkie family. It began with the initial giving to our brother (and now board member) Marc, but has continued to provide ongoing support, passion and focus for him and so many others. It is very rare that an organization that you give to gives so much back and that is what makes Betterment so special to us. That, and of course, the people involved! As a family, we have been fortunate to make lifelong friendships, while having great and memorable fun. Our support of Betterment is unwavering.”

Kay and Marc Milkie

“As recipients of Betterment’s generosity in 2002, Kay and I have been touched by the genuine caring and concern the Foundation showed our family. Since that time, I have been involved in Cleveland, and nationally, and have seen the impact our foundation has had on numerous individuals and organizations, some of whom I have known personally. To see the affect our gifts have on these people is priceless. We think the Founder’s Circle is a way to show our strong commitment to Betterment, and help cement the future of the Foundation.

Matthew Oates

Keith & Julie Patterson

Diane Pinkos

“I'm exciting about joining the Founders' Circle. In supporting Betterment, I know the contributions are directly benefitting the recipients. It's this personal contact and involvement that makes Betterment such an outstanding organization.”

Steve and Camille Pinkos

Jennifer Curley Reichert and Paul Reichert

One of our teenage daughters recently said, “Betterment is the family charity.” And she is right. Thanks to Betterment, our daughters have had a front row seat for their whole lives to see how a simple action can have tremendous impact on someone’s life. They also know that working together as a family or with friends makes philanthropy fun! It’s wonderful to see the next generation embrace the Foundation’s values, and we are all grateful to be part of the Betterment family.

Alex and Andy Rodman

“We are so blessed to be part of the Betterment family, and the Founders’ Circle is our investment in the Betterment Family of tomorrow. The Betterment we hope our children can enjoy and enhance for the next generation. It is an investment in all of the volunteers who follow in our footsteps, and more importantly, an investment in the lives of all those who will need Betterment’s helping hand and helping hug in the future.”

Kerry and Joe Schmit

“Becoming a member of Betterment’s Founders Circle was an easy decision for us. Getting assistance when in need can often be an intimidating and cumbersome process, but Betterment is able to cut through the red tape. This direct giving model which offers immediate relief to people is what we find so attractive about the organization.”

Kelli Emerick and Marc-Anthony Signorino

“We are so honored to be a part of the amazing spirit of giving that is the Foundation for Community Betterment. Throughout our lives, we have been blessed with so many wonderful gifts. Betterment offers a way to give back to those who are closest to us in need. We are touched by the goodwill and friendship that comes from sharing our blessings and helping others.”

Dale Smith & Barbara Lum

Anthea and Shane Turner

“The one thing that touched us the most about Betterment is the fact that it was an organization that was built to help those who dedicate their lives to helping others. Those are the people who deserve it most. So, when we learned all that Betterment and its volunteers had been able to do in just eight short years, we knew that we wanted to help strengthen Betterment as an organization so that more volunteers could continue reaching out to the people doing good for others.”

Gus Vlahos

Frank Vlossak

Lisa and Mark Wasko

“We were introduced to the Betterment Foundation by our good friend, Marc Milkie (Board Member and former recipient). Immediately we were impressed by the generosity and warmth of the people and the wonderful message this organization conveys. It is giving families hope for tomorrow. It takes practice to hold onto hope when things look dark. But, for such a small word, “hope” has a huge power to carry us to a better place. The Betterment Foundation continually strives to make all hopes and dreams a reality. We are very proud to be associated with such a rewarding organization that impacts so many lives every day.”

Darren and Lois Willcox