Robert and Ruth Bayley Continue Their Generosity 

Robert and Ruth Bayley are special friends of the Springfield Foundation and both have deep roots in Clark County. As a local businessman, Mr. Bayley served as vice president and secretary of the William Bayley Company which was founded by his grandfather. In addition, Robert practiced law in Springfield for several decades. Prior to his retirement in the late 1960’s, he served as the prosecutor of the Springfield Municipal Court and in the Ohio State Legislature. Since then, he has been a private investor.

Ruth Bayley spent much of her career with Guardian Bank and Bonded Oil Co., now Speedway, in Springfield and is an accomplished pen and ink and watercolors artist. This award-winning talent has been recognized by many, including the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her interests include genealogy and historic preservation and she has volunteered countless hours toward the newly restored Pennsylvania House. 

When Robert and Ruth married, they brought together their charitable interests.  They share devotion to Wittenberg University, their alma mater, and to numerous Clark County organizations including the Springfield Foundation. Our partnership with the Bayleys began over a decade ago with the creation of a Charitable Checking Fund. After a short period of time, the Bayleys converted their Charitable Checking fund into a permanent endowment fund. Each year they recommend annual distributions from their fund for the benefit of multiple charities within the community. In 2002, the Bayleys established a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) with the Springfield Foundation as a way to secure income for life and to provide additional financial resources to benefit the community forever. Earlier this fall, Robert and Ruth established their  second CGA with us building upon the legacy they began more than a decade ago.

The Bayleys have instructed the Foundation to convert all of their funds into one unrestricted fund for the general benefit of the community when they pass away. Unrestricted funds provide the Springfield Foundation the opportunity to determine their best use on an annual basis
through the Foundation’s grantmaking program. The use of unrestricted funds changes to meet the needs of our growing community.

Robert and Ruth are members of the Foundation’s Legacy society. They join many others who have made planned gifts to the Foundation. The Legacy Society has been created to thank and recognize those individuals who have made plans to provide for our community forever. 

Over the years, the Bayleys have made an incredible impact on Clark County through their financial support and volunteer efforts. We are proud to have been providing them with a local solution for their charitable giving needs for many years. Their gifts to the Foundation have ensured that their passion for giving back to our community will carry on forever.  For these, and many more reasons, the Foundation wishes to thank Robert and Ruth Bayley for their partnership with the Foundation and their commitment to our community.