The impact of a donor to the Licking County Foundation often extends far beyond the donor’s life. That is certain in the case of Betty and Tom Powell. The couple established the Betty and Tom Powell Fund in 1998 to secure a legacy of giving to the community they loved. 

Tom and Betty were both born and raised in Newark, Ohio. Betty, a bright student, was valedictorian of the 1940 Class of Newark High School and was the recipient of scholarships from both Denison and Capital Universities. After Tom’s graduation from Denison, the newlywed couple moved to New York City, as Tom proudly served his country in the United States Navy. Tom and Betty returned to Newark after his service and purchased his father’s business, Powell Electric, which for many years donated their services for the annual Licking County Courthouse Lighting. Betty passed away in 2003 after 61 years of marriage to her beloved Tom, who passed away in 2015.

Betty and Tom were heavily involved in the local community. Betty was a past president of 20th Century Club, the Camp O’Bannon Board of Directors, Mental Health America, Monday Talks and the Licking County Foundation, and Tom was an active member of Newark Rotary, Newark Masonic Lodge, and the Licking County Historical Society, to name just a few of their strong associations.

They established their fund, a designated agency fund, to provide financial support in perpetuity to organizations they cared about most throughout their lives. Since its inception, the Betty and Tom Powell Fund has provided annual grants to support Camp O’Bannon, Mental Health America of Licking County, Second Presbyterian Church in Newark and the Licking County Foundation. This annual support will forever benefit Tom and Betty’s much loved organizations.

Inspired by Tom and Betty’s story? Contact the Licking County Foundation to learn more at thelcfoundation.org or call (740) 349-3863 ext. 105.

Published July 30, 2019 in the Newark Advocate