On Dana Bensinger’s first day as Executive Director of the Otsego Community Foundation, she was handed three things:
A binder.
A ring of keys.
And a stack of mail.
Her office sat in the basement of the Fifth Third building—quite literally the foundation of the community.
At the time, the organization itself felt much the same.
OCF was built on passion and purpose, but it was still finding its footing. Board members stepped in wherever needed. Systems were limited, operational resources were scarce, and populating committees and the board was a challenge—not due to a lack of care, but because few people fully understood what a community foundation could be.
And yet, even then, something important was there:
a belief that this community deserved something more.
From Humble Beginnings to a Place People Want to Be
Fifteen years later, that story has completely changed.
Today, people don’t just agree to serve on the board—they want to.
Leaders, professionals, and community champions actively seek out ways to be involved.
Why?
Because of what Dana built.
Under her leadership, OCF has become a place where people know their time, talent, and generosity will matter. It’s no longer about filling seats—it’s about bringing together the right people to make meaningful change happen.
That transformation didn’t occur overnight. It was built carefully, intentionally—relationship by relationship, fund by fund, and opportunity by opportunity.
Leading When It Matters Most
While growth is important, leadership is often defined in the hardest moments.
Time and again, OCF—under Dana’s leadership—has stepped forward when the community needed it most.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, when uncertainty touched every corner of the community.
- After the devastating 2022 tornado, when neighbors were suddenly in crisis
- And most recently, following the 2025 ice storm, when the need for support and coordination surfaced again.
Each time, the Foundation didn’t wait.
It convened leaders.
It became a trusted hub for resources and response.
It led fundraising efforts.
And perhaps most importantly, it brought a sense of comfort, care, and stability to people who needed it most.
With Dana at the helm, OCF has become more than an organization—it has become a beacon in uncertain times.
Impact You Can See Everywhere
The true story of Dana’s leadership isn’t just told in meetings, programs, or financial statements.
It’s visible all around us—through the grants that have been awarded and the lives they’ve changed.
- It’s in the parks where families gather and the fields where young athletes play.
- In the quiet moments where someone finds hope, help, or a fresh start.
- It’s in the meals that feed neighbors and the support that helps families navigate a personal crisis.
- It’s in projects that create jobs, build homes, and strengthen the fabric of our community.
- In safe spaces for survivors, and programs that connect foster youth to belonging and purpose.
- And in the simple, powerful act of bringing people together—fostering connection, fellowship, and a true sense of community.
These aren’t just programs.
They are lifelines. They are opportunities. They are moments that change the trajectory of a life.
Since Dana joined in 2011, OCF has grown from managing just 48 funds to stewarding more than 105.
Annual grantmaking has grown from approximately $9,000 into our community to over $1 million in 2025.
Even more striking, assets have grown from just a few million dollars to well beyond $14 million.
But the numbers only tell part of the story.
Behind every grant is a life touched.
A neighbor supported.
A door opened.
A possibility created.
What Dana Really Built
Yes, Dana helped grow assets.
Yes, she expanded programs.
Yes, she strengthened operations.
But what she really built is something deeper.
A culture where generosity is natural.
A place where people come together to solve problems.
A foundation that reflects the very best of its community.
She took an organization that once wondered how to sustain itself…
…and helped shape it into one that now leads, convenes, and inspires.
Looking Ahead
Fifteen years ago, Dana walked into a basement office with a binder, a ring of keys, and a stack of mail.
Today, she leads an organization that stands at the center of this community—strong, trusted, and growing.
The Otsego Community Foundation is no longer just part of the community’s foundation - it has become a cornerstone of it.
Thanks to Dana—and all those who have said YES to OCF over the past 15 years, the foundation has grown into an essential part of the place we call home.
Join us in celebrating Dana’s 15 years of leadership by helping carry this momentum forward.
A gift to the Cornerstone Fund in her honor supports the heart of OCF—ensuring the organization remains strong, responsive, and ready to meet the needs of our community for years to come. The Cornerstone Fund is OCF’s long-term, permanently endowed fund, designed to provide sustainable, ongoing support for our operations.
