Donor Testimonial: Marj Hiner’s Story 

The Community Foundation is proud to partner with generous donors to connect their passions with local missions that matter. For over 30 years, Marj Hiner has been dedicated to investing in Huntington County through her meaningful funds. Alongside her beloved late husband, Homer Hiner, Marj created both the Hiner Family Fund and the Hiner Family Community Fund to support local charitable projects and initiatives.  

The Hiner Family Fund is designed to promote culture within Huntington County. Funding has helped advance projects and initiatives by the Quayle Vice Presidential Learning Center, LaFontaine Arts Council, Warren Theatre Guild (Pulse Opera House), Riverview Middle School and Historic Warren Main Street. The fund has also supported the Cancer Services Huntington County Endowment Fund and Huntington Business Women’s Scholarship Fund.  

The Hiner Family Community Fund provides support for general, unspecified charitable purposes and allows the Community Foundation to invest Marj’s generous gifts to address a wide variety of community needs. This specific type of fund is classified as an unrestricted Discretionary Fund, often referred to as a “Community Fund.” The Hiner Family Community Fund has supported funding for countless nonprofit and classroom education projects, as well as various community ventures. 

Rather than summarizing Marj’s story, we believe her own words best capture the inspiration behind her generosity. Keep reading to hear directly from Marj about why she chose to partner with the Foundation and what giving means to her. 

“I had been on the Foundation board for several years. I knew the impact it had and would have on Huntington and its citizens. I saw it in action. 

Therefore, we felt the Community Foundation of Huntington County was the perfect answer for our family business to invest in our community, even after we sold the business. We cared about Huntington and her citizens. We wanted to continue supporting our community in some fashion. We needed a way to give back, thanking Huntington for supporting us through those 32 years. 

The Foundation knew the needs of our community and its citizens. With so many worthy causes, the Foundation could work with non-profits and assist in helping with their needs much better than just us on an individual basis. The resources could be used more effectively, impacting many. Our dollars would grow and benefit numerous entities through this vital portal. 

The Foundation was the perfect vehicle for us to continue investing in our community. We now have two funds within the Foundation with provisions in place for future funding. 

Someone once said something to the tune of ‘a community is only as good as its citizens make it’. We feel our investment in the Foundation will help sustain Huntington’s numerous working parts. How could anything be any better?”  

The Community Foundation is honored to recognize Marj and highlight the impact her contributions have made throughout Huntington County. We greatly appreciate all of our fundholders, as their generosity is the heartbeat of our organization.  

Our dedicated team is eager to connect with new and existing donors to bring their philanthropic visions to life in Huntington County. Those interested in creating a Community Fund, or any of the numerous fund options available, are invited to contact our team.