Quick Reference Guide

Our Story

In 2007, Mary Anne and Don Flournoy—both longstanding faculty at Ohio University—received a windfall from the sale of The Container Store which had been co-founded by Mary Anne’s brother, Garrett Boone. The Flournoys thought about how to do good with the money—should they direct it toward the community they loved so much, or toward the university that had given them such meaningful careers? Or could they bring them together by funding partnerships between the university and community? The Flournoys saw immense potential in university-community partnerships, but they also acknowledged the challenges of balancing the responsibilities and benefits of such collaborations.

Determined to address the power imbalances frequently observed between academic institutions and community organizations, they sought to create a framework where both parties could work together on equal footing. Their vision was to co-develop initiatives rooted in mutual respect, local expertise, and sustainable solutions—ultimately broadening the impact of these partnerships throughout Appalachian Ohio.

To bring their vision to life, they sought counsel from community and university legal experts, creatively forming a supporting organization to the Ohio University Foundation—and called it the Sugar Bush Foundation. Under the guiding influence of Mary Anne’s close friend, Carol Kuhre—founder of Rural Action—they developed what became known as the Joint Design methodology, requiring every funded project to be jointly designed by an Ohio University partner and a community-based nonprofit. In doing so, Mary Anne and Don ensured that both sides’ expertise would be respected, and partners treated as equals. Mary Anne and Don’s legacy continues with their daughter, Hylie Voss, serving as Board President, son Eli Flournoy and son-in-law Bruce Voss serving on the board, along with a team of community directors.

Joint Design Approach

We give gifts, not grants—making our accountability relational rather than transactional. As funders, we sit at the table as equals with our university and community partners, working together to find the best path forward. Every project is co-created by both partners to ensure shared goals and mutual ownership. Joint Design meetings help refine proposals and ensure the power, weight, and benefit of each project is balanced. Our approach is asset-based, focusing on the strengths of communities rather than solely on solving problems.