Our Story
Guided by a Christian faith that integrates both word and deed, Peter and Gail Ochs created a family foundation in 1976 with the help of a dear friend and attorney, Dennis Thome. They called the foundation, First Fruit, a biblical reference which speaks to giving the best of our harvest as an offering to the Lord.
The earliest years were spent giving grants to individuals the Ochs’ knew who were working in far-flung parts of the developing world. From the outset, they identified as globalists, rather than be tied to one particular region.
The Early Years
By the 1980s Dr. David Bennett arrived to help the organization to sharpen its focus and begin to build a long-term strategy, eventually also joining the board.
Through the counsel of various Christian thinkers from around the globe, the organization’s first Global Trends Analysis was developed and three enduring areas of focus emerged – holistic ministry, leadership development and reaching the less and least reached.
In 1990 Rob Martin became the foundation’s first Executive Director. First Fruit now had someone actively on the ground, seeking grants and working with ministries around the world.
From 1999 – 2001 Dr. Bennett developed the seminal India Leadership Study which led to the unleashing of considerable resources by myriad donors to heretofore unknown ministries in India.
Our Growth
By the early 2000s the foundation was expanding the scale of its grantmaking rapidly and the Ochs family’s next generation was beginning to get involved in both board and staff roles.
In 2009, Paul Park was elevated to Executive Director, which allowed Mr. Martin to shift his focus to coaching and mentoring ministry leaders to develop their capacities and flourish in their callings. While celebrating the impact of more than 2,000 grants in over 100 countries, the foundation began a period of both self-reflection and experimentation, recognizing the world was changing rapidly.
Under Mr. Park’s leadership, First Fruit incorporated grantee feedback, collaborated with like-minded donors and grantees, and defined and measured long-term results. In Spring 2017, after a wonderfully productive season for both Paul and First Fruit, Mr. Park moved on to other pursuits.
Sharpening our Focus
First Fruit is now in our 5th decade of service, and we are heartened by God’s enduring call on our lives and work. As we look to the future, we find ourselves energized by God’s direction to sharpen our focus and deepen our relationships and impact with key partner organizations throughout the developing world.
In accordance with the Ochs’ original intent, the foundation will sunset over the coming decades. From its first grant to its last, First Fruit will remain committed to supporting Christian organizations operating in the developing world, always valuing relationships, continuously asking for the wisdom of God, and seeking His perfect will.
