Catering to the Changing Needs of Our Neighborhood
Our Mission
To secure PERMANENT and GROWING ASSETS for the area’s changing needs.
The Middletown Community Foundation was incorporated as a component of the United Way in 1976. It grew slowly until 1986, when it became a freestanding foundation. Elliot and Mae Levey challenged the community to match their $1 million donation and create a true community foundation. Middletown committed $6.7 million and continued their generous support. Since then, assets have grown to more than $41 million.
Meet Our Staff
Executive Director: Travis Robinson
Travis A. Robinson joined the Middletown Community Foundation in January 2026. He oversees grantmaking, donor services, scholarship programs, and community collaborations, while guiding the Foundation’s long-term strategy for impact. He works closely with MCF’s Board of Trustees to expand philanthropic opportunities and strengthen support for local nonprofit organizations.
Travis brings more than two decades of experience in fundraising, nonprofit leadership, board and volunteer engagement, and business development. Most recently, he served as Director of Annual Giving for the Beta Theta Pi Educational Foundation in Oxford, Ohio, where he led the strategy and execution of a comprehensive annual fund campaign. Under his leadership, the Foundation consistently exceeded fundraising goals while increasing donor retention, average gift size, and leadership-level giving.
Travis is a resident of the region, living in the greater Oxford area, and is deeply involved in community life. He currently serves as a Trustee and Community Grant Chairman for the McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital (TriHealth) Foundation, where he helps direct annual community grants. He has also held multiple volunteer leadership roles in youth sports and local organizations, reflecting his long-standing commitment to community engagement and youth development.
Travis approaches his work with humility, energy, and a deep belief in the power of generosity to strengthen communities.
Email: travis@mcfoundation.org
Program Officer: Sarah Watson
Sarah A. Watson joined the Middletown Community Foundation in August 2019 and brings more than 20 years of administrative and operational experience to her role. She studied Business Administration at Miami University Middletown and plays a critical role in the Foundation’s grantmaking and financial operations.
Sarah oversees several of the Foundation’s core programs, including the Scholarship Program, Competitive Grant Program, and distributions for Donor Advised and Donor Designated funds. She manages the full lifecycle of these processes, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and a high level of service to donors, students, and community partners.
In addition to her programmatic leadership, Sarah is responsible for the Foundation’s day-to-day accounting functions and leads all audit-related activities, helping to maintain strong financial stewardship and organizational integrity.
Outside of her work at the Foundation, Sarah remains actively engaged in the community through volunteerism and has a passion for fostering animals. She is a trusted and valued member of the team, known for her reliability, attention to detail, and commitment to the Foundation’s mission.
Email: sarah@mcfoundation.org
Development Coordinator
& Youth Philanthropy Council Advisor:
Patty Dane
Patty A. Dane joined the Middletown Community Foundation in January 2024 and serves as the Development Coordinator and Youth Philanthropy Council Advisor. In her role, she leads donor relations and stewardship efforts, manages the Foundation’s database systems, and oversees marketing and communications to effectively share the Foundation’s impact with the community. Patty plays a key role in ensuring a seamless experience for donors, fundholders, and community partners, often serving as the first point of contact and a trusted resource for those engaging with the Foundation.
Bringing a background in office management and youth coaching, Patty offers a strong foundation in organization, relationship-building, and community engagement. She holds an associate degree from the University of Cincinnati.
In addition to her development and communications work, Patty leads the Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC), a signature program of the Foundation. She guides approximately 30 high school students representing eight service-area schools through a hands-on philanthropic experience. Under her leadership, students learn about community needs, evaluate grant applications, and collectively award approximately $50,000 each year to youth-serving programs and organizations. Through this work, Patty is helping to cultivate the next generation of community leaders and philanthropists.
Email: patty@mcfoundation.org
