William H. Davis, Dorothy M. Davis and William C. Davis Foundation

William H. Davis, Dorothy M. Davis, and William C. Davis

Background

William C. (Bill) Davis provided funds in his will to be used for charitable purposes at the discretion of his stepmother, Dorothy M. Davis. She created the William H. Davis, Dorothy M. Davis and William C. Davis Foundation in 1993.

William H. Davis was a prominent businessman who built his fortune through real estate development and investments. He founded Davis & Son, Inc., which develops single-family homes, shopping centers, and apartment buildings in central Ohio. Mr. Davis died in 1984. His son, William C. (Bill) Davis, continued the company and served as chairman of the board until his death in 1991. Bill Davis laid the groundwork for the family’s foundation when he established a donor advised fund at The Columbus Foundation in 1988. Former owner and chairman of Davis Enterprises, Dorothy M. Davis was active in the central Ohio and Fort Lauderdale, Florida communities. She established the Dorothy M. Davis Chair in Cancer Research at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute and the William H. Davis Chair in the American Free Enterprise System at The Ohio State University. Mrs. Davis served on the board of trustees of the Capital Area Humane Society and The Ohio State University Foundation. She was a supporter of the Royal Dames of Cancer Research and Nova University in Fort Lauderdale. Mrs. Davis was chairman and president of the Davis Foundation until her death in 1996.

The Davis family’s long history of philanthropy serves as a model for the central Ohio community. They had shared interests in many organizations, including The Ohio State University, Pontifical College Josephinum, St. Charles Preparatory School, the Columbus Zoo, Boy Scouts of America, and the southend Kiwanis.

Grantmaking

All grants from the Davis Foundation are board directed.

Board

William D. Wells, chairman and president; John C. Lucas, vice chairman and treasurer; Ronald L. Whisler, vice president; Linda B. Bowers, secretary; Ralph Guarasci, assistant secretary; Richard J. Solove, Jacquelyn L. Wells and James L. Nichols are honorary trustees.

Staff Contact

Interested in more information about the William H. Davis, Dorothy M. Davis and William C. Davis Foundation? Contact Tami Durrence by e-mail or at 614/251-4000.