New Era of Impact: Eric & Lynn Erb

Some values are not written down or spoken out loud; they are lived, day by day, generation to generation. For Eric and Lynn Erb, generosity is one of those values.

Eric, a Marietta native, and Lynn, originally from Williamstown, West Virginia, grew up in close-knit communities where generosity was a way of life. But the roots of their shared commitment to philanthropy run even deeper.

When Eric met Lynn, he was introduced to her grandfather, Frank Fenton – a name recognized for the iconic Fenton Art Glass but remembered by his family for something even more meaningful.

“My grandfather was one of the most generous people I have ever known,” Lynn shared. “He influenced us by sharing his concern for his community and leading by example, often behind the scenes. That type of giving… it made me want to be that kind of person too.”

That quiet example became the foundation for Eric and Lynn’s life together. Every year since they were married, the Erbs have set aside time at the end of the year to reflect on their financial goals. One promise they made early on has guided their journey: give more than we did the year before.

“That has always been our benchmark,” Eric said. “We sit down and talk about what we have been given, and how we can give more.”

Eric has long been a friend, supporter, and champion of Marietta Community Foundation. He served on the Board of Directors for more than 15 years, contributing both time and insight to help the organization grow. Though his board tenure has ended, his commitment has not.

“I was drawn to the Foundation early on because of its reputation and strong board leadership,” Eric said. “And that trust has only deepened. Even when I am not serving on the board, I stay connected to the mission because I believe so strongly in it.”

In 2022, Eric and Lynn joined the Foundation’s Legacy Society, ensuring their impact will live on long after they are gone. And in 2024, they became Bronze-level Friends of the Foundation, underscoring their continued belief in the Foundation’s ability to respond to the region’s greatest needs.

Eric especially champions the power of unrestricted giving: “It’s one of the most impactful ways to give. It shows you trust the Foundation to do what’s best for the community, even when circumstances change.”

Lynn brings the same level of intentionality to her work with the Fenton Foundation, a private foundation that honors her family’s legacy by supporting projects primarily in Williamstown and the surrounding region. In addition to this role, she has served for the past three years on the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation board, where she lends her time, insight, and passion for community-driven impact.

For both Lynn and Eric, the river that separates Ohio and West Virginia is not a dividing line, it is a bridge between two sides of one community.

“This is one community,” Lynn said. “It doesn’t matter which side of the river you live on. We want to help the community as one.”

At the heart of everything they do is their faith. Over the years, their generosity has been deeply shaped by their service to their church and their belief that giving is a calling and a responsibility.

“Our faith drives us,” Eric shared. “Jesus teaches generosity—and we truly feel that is our purpose here and what we strive to live out every day.”

While Eric and Lynn have always preferred to give quietly, they also recognize the importance of sharing their story.

“We don’t need recognition,” Eric said. “But we do believe it’s important to talk about why we give, because if our story inspires someone else to give back, then it was worth sharing.”