Foundation commits $5 million investment and will serve as fund holder for generational downtown initiative 

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — February 10, 2026 — The Middletown Community Foundation (MCF) Board of Trustees has formally approved its participation in a transformative partnership with the City of Middletown and Butler County to launch a fund for the purpose of sparking a downtown revitalization — a collaborative $15 million investment designed to strengthen the city’s urban core and advance long-term community vitality. 

Celebrating its 50th anniversary and currently stewarding over $50 million in charitable assets, MCF will contribute $5 million to the initiative while also serving as the fund holder and steward of the fund, ensuring responsible management and long-term accountability for community investment. 

For five decades, the Foundation has played a leadership role in funding scholarship programs and non-profit initiatives that address the community’s changing needs. Foundation leaders say participating in this catalytic effort reflects both the organization’s legacy and its continued commitment to bold, strategic philanthropy. 

“This project represents the building blocks that create lasting transformation,” said Beth Yauch, President of MCF. “A vibrant downtown is essential to a thriving community, and we felt it was important to step forward — both as a leader and financially — in a project that sits at the very core of our service area. The Middletown Community Foundation Park will be the signature public space that attracts developers, energizes residents and businesses, and helps drive the momentum for everything that follows.”   

A cornerstone of the revitalization effort is the development of the Middletown Community Foundation Park, a first-class public space that will commemorate the Foundation’s 50th anniversary and serve as a lasting gift to the city where the organization began its work in 1976. As the first major building block of the broader initiative, the park and its amenities are designed to anchor redevelopment, attract private investment, and create a welcoming destination that strengthens quality of life for residents and visitors alike. The park will be situated blocks from the Foundation’s original office, connecting the organization’s history to its future impact.    

The revitalization fund will support additional projects focused on strategic redevelopment, residential growth, business attraction, and improvements that help establish a vibrant and sustainable downtown environment. 

MCF Executive Director, Travis Robinson said the Foundation’s investment underscores its commitment to community leadership and long-term impact.  “As we celebrate 50 years of service, we are proud to help lead a project that reflects both our history and our future,” said Robinson. “This investment demonstrates to our community that we are committed, invested, and capable of delivering big and bold projects. We believe this effort will be a catalyst not only for downtown revitalization but also for strengthening the Foundation’s capacity to lead and support the strategic, community-driven initiatives that our service area needs most.” 

Foundation leaders noted that the park and related projects represent the first steps in a long-term vision to strengthen Middletown’s economic vitality, reinforce community pride, and create opportunities for future generations. 

The Foundation’s participation reflects its mission to invest in initiatives that respond to evolving community priorities and help ensure that downtown Middletown transforms into a vibrant place to live, work, and build a future. 

About the Middletown Community Foundation 

Founded in 1976, the Middletown Community Foundation is celebrating 50 years of leadership and philanthropic impact in the greater Middletown area including Franklin, Madison, Monroe, and Trenton. With more than $50 million in assets under stewardship, the Foundation partners with donors, nonprofits, and community leaders to fund initiatives that address evolving community needs, strengthen neighborhoods, and advance long-term opportunities throughout the region. 

Foundation Contact 

Travis Robinson
Executive Director
513-424-7369
travis@mcfoundation.org