Who We Are. OGF was established in 2000 as the result of two organizations joining together –
the Donors Forum of Ohio (established in 1984) and Grantmakers Forum (established in 1985). 

1975	First “Ohio Foundations Conference”
1984	Donors Forum of Ohio (DFO) is established in Columbus
1985	Grantmakers Forum is established in Cleveland
1986	Marjorie Carlson begins as program coordinator of Grantmakers Forum, later becomes executive director
1988	Lynn Helbling Sirinek becomes first president of DFO • DFO’s First Annual Conference
1990	Dorothy Weiss becomes president of Grantmakers Forum
1997	DFO launches Ohio’s Promotion of Philanthropy Initiative
1998	DFO releases first report on philanthropy in the state: Ohio: The State of Philanthropy 1998
1999	DFO helps to create The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
2000	DFO and Grantmakers Forum merge to form Ohio Grantmakers Forum
2002	George Espy becomes president of OGF
2004	OGF presents first Ohio Philanthropy Award to Steven A. Minter • OGF Board of Trustees adopts Guiding Principles
2006	OGF launches Education Initiative
2008	OGF adopts Diversity Principles • Forms a CEO Leadership Circle to provide a forum for leaders to discuss ways that a local foundation might become more effective by fostering greater diversity and inclusion in its operations.
2009	2009 OGF testifies to Senate Education Committee about consensus recommendations contained in “Beyond Tinkering” report and selected provisions in House Bill 1.