In the News

On Feb. 1, 1992, Andrew Swinney began his duties as the first President in the history of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. Today, we are saddened to learn of his passing.

 Swinney was widely respected in Oshkosh. Past Foundation board members were emotional upon hearing the news. Here are some of their comments:

“I am very much saddened by Andrew’s death. He was a great inspiration for the Oshkosh community.”

“I have great memories of Andrew.”

“A lovely man who will be greatly missed.”

Andrew Swinney was the Foundation’s first president in its history. He left Oshkosh in 1998 for Philadelphia to lead the Philadelphia Foundation. Retiring that post in June 2015, Swinney passed away on April 24, 2016.

As our first official leader, Swinney established the Foundation offices at the old First National Bank building in downtown Oshkosh. He guided the Board of Directors through the process to change from a private foundation to a public community foundation, establishing our nonprofit status and many of the functions of how the foundation operates today. Our funds grew to nearly 70 with $22 million in assets.

During his tenure, the Foundation supported major capital campaigns for the Boys & Girls Club, Living Health Community, Mercy Medical Center, Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh and supported the Build a Dream Fund, resulting in the construction of Little Oshkosh playground at Menominee Park.

Swinney also saw the establishment of the Hiwela Youth Fund and the start up of the Women’s Fund — both now major funders for youth, women and children in Winnebago County.

In 1998, Swinney moved to Philadelphia where he became the President of the Philadelphia Foundation — a position he held until June of 2015. There he grew the foundation’s asset base from $148 million to $370 million. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Swinney suffered from ALS and had been ill for a year before his passing.

 Read the article, “Obituaries: Andrew Swinney; headed Philadelphia Foundation”

Your Community Foundation — and Oshkosh — owe a lot to Mr. Swinney. We extend our sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues across the country.

Burial services will be private. Donations may be made to the Andrew Swinney Fund at the Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia 19104