Morgan Foundation and Edward Lowe Foundation Unite Over Common Goals
In September, Burton D. Morgan Foundation staff and trustees ventured to southwest Michigan for a visit to Big Rock Valley, headquarters of Edward Lowe Foundation. During this visit, the team conducted its fall board meeting, toured the magnificent property, and got to know more about Edward Lowe Foundation’s team, programming, and history.
Edward Lowe Foundation was established as an operating foundation in 1985 by Ed and Darlene Lowe to leverage entrepreneurship as a strategy for economic growth and community development. Like Burt Morgan, Ed Lowe was a remarkable inventor and entrepreneur; Lowe built his fortune after inventing Kitty Litter and secured more than 170 patents, trademarks, and copyrights for a variety of products and services. The Lowe Foundation focuses on second-stage companies — growth-oriented firms that have moved beyond startup but haven’t yet reached maturity.
Recognizing our similar priorities, Burton D. Morgan Foundation explored a potential partnership with Lowe Foundation by sending 17 business leaders from Northeast Ohio to Big Rock Valley in early 2023 for a leadership retreat. Participants provided overwhelmingly positive feedback and continue to receive follow-on programming.
Morgan Foundation plans to continue to partner with Edward Lowe Foundation in 2024 to provide growth opportunities, resources, and programming to second stage business owners in Northeast Ohio. This programming is complementary to the Scalerator NEO program, which also accelerates growth for second stage businesses. More details will be announced in 2024 after Morgan Foundation’s strategic planning process wraps up.