Our Story

An image of Richard E. Hunt. The photo is in black and white and shows a young version of the man. He is sitting behind a radio microphone and is reading from a script out in front of him.

Inspired by his devotion to community and in honor of his wife DeMaries, his mother Blanche, and his children Philip and Ginger, Richard E. Hunt envisioned a foundation that would support all of Miami County’s communities—built on the simple yet powerful idea of “people helping people.”

A native of Troy, Ohio, Hunt founded WPTW-AM in 1947—Miami County’s first radio station—bringing local voices and stories to the upper Miami Valley. Remarkably, WPTW (AM 1570) is still on the air today, a lasting reminder of Hunt’s community spirit. But the legacy that defines Hunt most enduringly took shape in 1985, when, with the support of friends Richard N. Adams, Joanna Hill Heitzman, and Douglas R. Murray, he chartered the Miami County Foundation.

What began with Hunt’s generosity has grown into a thriving community effort, strengthened by the ongoing support of families, individuals, and businesses across the county. The foundation has continued to blossom for more than four decades, now stewarding a wide range of charitable funds and carrying on Hunt’s vision for generations to come.

Lisa Sargent

Executive Director

As the foundation’s leader, Lisa guides its efforts to connect generous donors with vital community initiatives.

Lisa’s responsibilities include overseeing strategic grantmaking, cultivating donor relationships, and ensuring the responsible stewardship of the organization’s charitable assets.

Prior to joining the foundation, Lisa applied her expertise in marketing and communications in executive roles and through her own successful consulting business. Lisa is passionately committed to cultivating a vibrant and resilient Miami County, driven by the belief that collective generosity can create lasting positive change for all.

Lisa’s background in strategic marketing and organizational leadership, coupled with her genuine heart for service, perfectly aligns with the foundation's commitment to "People Helping People."