Our Story

Built for This Moment —
Where Literacy, Dignity, and Community Meet.

Mission Statement

Founding Story

J Merrill Foundation was founded by Jackie Smith Jr. to help people and communities access the tools, relationships, and encouragement that literacy makes possible. From the beginning, the Foundation was designed to serve more than one program or moment. Literacy, in all its forms, was the anchor.

The Foundation's earliest programming began with the Thanksgiving meal program in partnership with the Byron Saunders Foundation, grew to include ESL classes and Mid-Ohio Food Bank volunteering, and reached its highest expression with the Chillicothe 8th Grade publishing project — where students became published authors.

Through board changes and the disruption of COVID-19, the Foundation paused. In 2026, it is active again — not as a restart, but as a maturation. The programs are proven. The stewardship systems are in place. The mission is clearer than ever.

How J Merrill One Supports the Work

The Foundation is supported by the broader J Merrill One ecosystem, which includes publishing, financial education, media, and faith-community relationships. That support gives the Foundation access to practical experience, creative capacity, and community relationships without making the ecosystem the center of the mission.

The Foundation also uses professional nonprofit tools to coordinate programs, keep records, support reporting, and steward community trust responsibly. Technology matters here because it helps the work stay organized, accountable, and ready to grow.

Leadership