Although a Richmond couple generously gave millions of dollars during their lifetime, tens of millions of additional dollars now await distribution over time from their foundation.
The Jack and Debra Edelman Foundation Inc. is making an added splash in local philanthropy, continuing the legacy of the active entrepreneurial couple who were married 64 years.
Leaders of the Edelmans’ foundation are hopeful it will be comparable to Wayne County Foundation in its scope and benefits to the community.
Jack died in 2017 at age 92, and Debra died in May 2025 at age 93 after carbon monoxide poisoning on her Kentucky houseboat.
Until the tragedy, Debra worked daily on their businesses, which included the Recycling Center and Edelman Management of Richmond, along with Franklin Iron and Metal Corp. and First Street Recycling, both in Dayton, Ohio, and Springfield Recycling LLC in Springfield, Ohio.
About six weeks before Debra’s death, updated plans for oversight of the couple’s foundation were finalized.
A board of three Richmond High School graduates, Mark Maddox, Bob Bever and Beth Lydick, is now responsible for carrying out the foundation’s philanthropic values — education, opportunity, health, justice and children’s advocacy.
Maddox, whose family was very close with the Edelmans, is a lawyer in securities regulation, and is serving as executive director of the foundation. He fondly recalls escorting Debra to Shapiro’s Delicatessen for meals before Indianapolis Colts games they attended and ensuring she didn’t fall at the stadium while wearing her signature stiletto heels, even in her last years.
Bever is serving as chief legal consultant and vice president, and Lydick is grant administrator and secretary/treasurer.
The foundation’s mission is to help build strong and healthy communities in Wayne County by supporting nonprofits that have a meaningful impact and empower individuals to reach their full potential.
Bever, Lydick and Maddox said they feel honored and deeply committed to carrying on the Edelmans’ legacy of strategic generosity, love and compassionate giving, and hope to continue making a meaningful difference through their work.
The trio has begun conducting informational meetings with several local nonprofits to learn more about their work and is reviewing grant applications by invitation.
Bever said private foundations are required to distribute a portion of their assets each year.
Over the next few years, additional dollars are to be added to the foundation from sales of the couple’s recycling businesses. Board members didn’t disclose specific amounts, but Maddox said the Edelmans’ foundation is currently slightly below Wayne County Foundation’s endowment, and in three to five years, it will be slightly above. WCF officials told WWN its endowment is $90 million and growing.
In 2026, the Edelmans’ foundation is awarding grants totaling more than $2 million. To date, 23 grants have gone to local organizations as well as regional causes the couple loyally supported over the years.
They said they think Debra would be pleased with those distributions, and nonprofit leaders have shed a few tears of happiness when learning they’re receiving grants.
The Edelmans’ foundation also addresses developing needs. They include supporting the new food insecurity initiative led by Ronald McDaniel Foundation to encourage collaboration between community resources, assisting Girls Inc. after its roof collapse, and boosting Wayne County Foundation’s Wayne County Cares relief fund for August flood damage.
The Edelmans previously made their mark on several local landmarks that now bear their names, including Richmond’s Israel “Izzy” Edelman Fire & Police Training Center in memory of their late son, Reid Health cardiac facilities, and Ivy Tech’s Healthcare Education Center.
In addition to financial contributions, the Edelmans also gave their time and creativity.
Both were involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County. Jack served on the board of directors for 16 years, and Debra was president of its board of trustees. She was inducted in Indiana Boys & Girls Clubs Hall of Fame.
Debra was involved in several organizations, including 18 years on Reid Health Foundation’s board and nine on Richmond Art Museum’s. She was co-chair of the Art to Heart fundraiser for 15 years, which earned more than $2 million for Reid and RAM.
2026 grant recipients
Recipients of the Jack and Debra Edelman Foundation grants given so far this year are Dayton Children’s Hospital, Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana University East, Dayton Performing Arts, Cincinnati Opera, Beth Boruk Temple, Beth Jacob Synagogue, Air Camp (Dayton), Richmond Symphony Orchestra, American Red Cross Miami Valley chapter, Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County, Wabash College, Whitewater Valley Pro Bono, Girls Inc., Reid Center (life safety upgrades and match for Steinway piano refurbishing), Every Child Can Read (after-school tutoring and match for Blingo fundraiser), Richmond Community Schools family liaisons for 2026-27 school year, Israel “Izzy” Edelman Fire & Police Training Center to move fire hydrant closer to training buildings/areas, Communities in Schools of Wayne County, Wayne County Food Insecurity Initiative, and Wayne County Foundation/Wayne County Cares fund for flood relief.
A version of this article will appear in the September 9 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
