A newly created “Esther Jansing Memorial Fund” will provide scholarships for nonprofit staff to participate in leadership opportunities. Jansing was instrumental in initiating the Leadership Owensboro program, and this fund was created to honor her vision and dedication.
The Marilyn and William Young Charitable Foundation made gift to endow the fund at the Green River Area Community Foundation (GRACF). Jansing, who was the first Executive Director of the Young Foundation, died on Jan. 16.
Jansing served as the first leader of the private foundation from 1998-2004, while concurrently acting as Executive Director of the Community Foundation. The Young Foundation board wished to honor her service to their organization while also supporting Leadership Owensboro, a program which she also directed for many years.
“We established this fund with the Green River Area Community Foundation as we wished to marry three of her past employers together and honor her commitment to each,” said Sara Hemingway, current Executive Director of the Young Foundation. “We believe in the value of the Leadership Owensboro program, just as Esther did, and want to provide nonprofit staff access to this professional development opportunity. Esther was a true community servant and friend to all.”
Amy Silvert, current Executive Director of the GRACF, said Jansing’s leadership in the early years of each of organization was pivotal in setting them on their paths of success.
“The GRACF Advisory Board was pleased to learn of the memorial fund, and enthusiastically supported making a donation in honor of Esther and all she did to support the Community Foundation even well beyond her years as the local director,” Silvert said.
The Green River Area Community Foundation will oversee the fund and the scholarship application process. Employees of local nonprofits who wish to apply for the leadership development funds can begin seeking them in 2022.
Those who wish to contribute to the fund may send their gifts to the Community Foundation of Louisville, Waterfront Plaza, 325 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202-4251, directed to the “Esther Jansing Memorial Fund.”
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The Green River Area Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Louisville. GRACF exists to advance philanthropy by serving the charitable interests of donors, enabling increased charitable giving, and improving the community by being a permanent philanthropic resource for current and future needs. To learn more about the Community Foundation, visit greenrivercf.org.
The Marilyn and William Young Charitable Foundation is a capacity-building resource: opening minds, supporting the development of new skills, and linking efforts to ensure economic opportunity, well being, and prosperity for our citizens. We are a private foundation established in 1998 serving the Owensboro area.
The Leadership Owensboro Program is a program of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce focused on educating and engaging individuals to reach their potential and maximize their impact in the community.
