REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY: FFY recaps the past year, looks to the future

When Foundation for Youth Director Chuck Kime welcomed the community to the organization’s 2021 annual meeting, he was quickly corrected by a chorus of children’s voices telling him it was actually 2022.

He didn’t seem to mind, however.

“Most of the meetings I host from my garage,” said Kime. “And I am just thankful this day to be out here and seeing folks that were shaking hands and honored, truly honored by the fact that you’ve come out and spent your time with us today.”

FFY held its annual meeting — the first to be in person since the pandemic — Tuesday evening. The organization previously recapped both 2019 and 2020 in virtual formats, such as last year’s digital report that included links to prerecorded videos.

According to the most recent report, FFY saw revenue of $2,747,709 in 2021, with the breakdown as follows:

Enrollment and public service fees: 24%

Contributions: 18%

Foundations and trusts: 15%

Grants: 13%

United Way of Bartholomew County: 12%

Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness: 12%

Investments: 3%

Special events: 3%

2021 revenue exceeded that of 2020 by about $130,000, FFY officials said. Notably, grants were the organization’s top source of revenue in 2020 at 37%. Enrollment and public services made up only 14% that year, due to both temporary closures and COVID-19 limitations.

Revenue exceeded expenditures in both years, with 2021 revenue greater than expenses by almost $100,000.

FFY thanked community and staff for their support during the event.

“Parents don’t — they’re not just solely responsible. It’s not the schools’ responsibility. It’s not just FFY. It’s the whole town should be a part of what it takes to raise our kids,” said Kime, as he introduced the 2021 winner of the “It Takes a Village” Award.

In the past, the honor has been bestowed on an entire organization. Last year’s winner was the city of Columbus. This year, however, FFY went in a different direction and named a single, posthumous individual as the winner: Kimberly Easton.

Easton, who grew up in Columbus, died in February. She was known for her work in diversity, equity and inclusion as multi-cultural coordinator for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. Her work in the community also included serving as an emcee for Foundation For Youth’s “Great Girls, Wonderful Women” event from 2019 to 2021.

“She came to us as a proud former FFY Boys and Girls Club kid who was passionate to make a difference in Columbus,” FFY officials said. “She was the perfect fit to be our Great Girls Wonderful Women event emcee! She joined our team in 2019, bringing all of her amazing energy and enthusiasm to her committee role. Each year, she worked with Caroline Andrus, an FFY Club kid, mentoring her and creating a solidly professional team that gave our speakers and committee total confidence.”

The report added that Easton “came into her own” when the event went virtual in 2020 and 2021, and her experience in broadcast journalism showed amid the change.

Kime commended Easton for her work in promoting equity in the community.

“She continues to be a reminder that fair and equal aren’t always the same thing and that diversity itself has an inherent value,” he said.