In 2026 Salem Community Foundation Celebrates 60 Years of Giving Back
For 60 years, the Salem Community Foundation has quietly but powerfully shaped the future of the Salem area, turning generosity into lasting impact and community dreams into reality.
In 1964, Industrialist Walter Deming and attorneys, Al Fitch and George Bowman, recognized the tremendous work being done by community foundations across the country. The question arose, “Why not set up such a foundation for Salem?” Incorporated January 13, 1966, with $2,000, the Salem Community Foundation was created with a simple yet enduring mission: to improve the quality of life in Salem and the surrounding area by connecting charitable donors with the causes they care about most. Six decades later, that mission remains as relevant – and as vital – as ever.
After the first six months, the Foundation had $17,000 and was able to make its first small grant to the Salem Public Library for $200 to purchase “cultural books.” It is with this grant that the Salem Community Foundation began its relationship within the community.
Through scholarships, grants, and donor advised funds, the Foundation has supported countless local organizations, students, and projects. From parks and public spaces to education, health, arts, and civic initiatives, the Foundation’s reach can be seen throughout the community.
“Every grant awarded and every fund established reflects the generosity of people who love this community,” said President John Tonti. “This 60-year milestone is a celebration not just of the Foundation, but of the donors, volunteers, nonprofit partners, and community leaders who have made our work possible.”
Over the years, the Foundation has evolved to meet changing community needs while remaining rooted in responsible stewardship and local decision-making. Today, it manages a growing portfolio of 168 charitable funds designed to provide both immediate support and long-term stability for Salem-area nonprofits.
In 1977, the Foundation was designated the recipient of the interest income from the Ruth Harkins McKeown estate, for which PNC Bank is trustee and executor. At the time, the trust was in excess of $3 million dollars. Since then, approximately $35.7 million has been generated and received from the trust.
Dollars from the McKeown Fund are distributed quarterly for the benefit of Salem’s citizens according to Ruth Harkins McKeown’s will. In 2025, the Salem Community Foundation Board of Directors approved over $235,000 in grants to 11 local nonprofits that are meeting community needs and making a difference.
One of the Foundation’s most enduring impacts is its investment in future generations. Through scholarship programs and youth-focused initiatives, the Salem Community Foundation has helped open doors for students pursuing higher education and career opportunities which ultimately will strengthen the Salem community for years to come.
In August 2023, a recent major commitment by the Salem Community Foundation Board of Directors was when they unanimously voted to award the Salem City School District with a gift of $10 million dollars toward the bond issue for the construction of a new K-8 school building. This exemplifies the commitment to the advancement of education and prosperity of the Salem community.
As the Foundation marks its 60th anniversary, it is also looking ahead, continuing to address emerging needs within the community.
“This anniversary is both a reflection and a recommitment,” Tonti added. “We honor our past while looking forward to the next 60 years of building a stronger, more vibrant Salem.”
The Salem Community Foundation invites members of the community to join in celebrating this milestone and to learn more about how philanthropy, large or small, can make a lasting difference close to home.
For more information about the Salem Community Foundation and its 60th anniversary, visit http://www.salemcommunityfoundation.org or call the office at 330-332-4021. Follow the Foundation’s Facebook page for updates throughout the year on how the Foundation is planning to celebrate this important milestone.