Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Congratulations to our North Central Michigan Community Foundation (NCMCF) affiliate on winning the 2019 Visionary Award from the West Branch Chamber of Commerce! The Visionary Award recognizes creativity and innovation, as well as leadership displayed in the West Branch area and Ogemaw County. In addition to Ogemaw County, NCMCF also serves Crawford and Oscoda Counties. “It was a vision since 1998 to connect people who care about the future of this area with the causes closest to their hearts,” said Chamber Director Heather Neuhaus upon notifying NCMCF of the award. “And what a success it has been. It is amazing, the scholarships and grants awarded to the communities of Ogemaw, Crawford and Oscoda Counties.” CFNEM, Executive Director Patrick Heraghty and NCMCF board members Andrea Rose and Jozann Burgin attended the Chamber’s annual ball on February 16 to receive the award on behalf of NCMCF. More →

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Our Straits Area Community Foundation affiliate just awarded over $10,000 in Community Impact and Youth Advisory Council grants for programs in Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City. Check them out! https://www.cfnem.org/sacf/resources/news/straits-area-community-foundation-awards-over-10500-in-new-grants.html More →

Monday, February 18, 2019

A strong board is the foundation of a strong nonprofit! “Board Basics”, the signature workshop of the Nonprofit Leaders Series, provides a comprehensive introduction to governance, and the roles and responsibilities of board members. Through support from our North Central Michigan Community Foundation (NCMCF) affiliate, “Board Basics” is being offered in West Branch for the first time on March 20, 2019. The Nonprofit Leadership Series is offered through a partnership between the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan (and its affiliate foundations, including NCMCF), Huron Pines, and the Otsego County Community Foundation. Learn more about the workshop at: https://www.cfnem.org/resources/news/build-a-better-foundation-for-your-organization-with-board-basics-workshop.html Registration is $25 per person. Tickets can be purchased online at huronpines.org/events. A brown bag lunch follows the session at 12:30, facilitated and offering an opportunity for networking. More →

Thursday, February 14, 2019

"Scholarship applications are due in two weeks?!?" That's right! All applications must be complete and submitted online by March 1st! Tag parents, fellow students and anyone writing letters of recommendations to make sure your application is completed by the deadline. Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Presque Isle Counties: www.cfnem.org Iosco County: www.iccf-online.org Crawford, Ogemaw and Oscoda Counties: www.ncmcf.org Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City: www.sacf.net More →

Monday, February 11, 2019

We are looking for public input! The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan has partnered with community foundations and conservation partners from the United States and Canada to create a plan of action to help Lake Huron communities ensure the long-term health of the Great Lakes. Before the plan can move forward, the partners are seeking input from the residents and stakeholders of Lake Huron communities. We encourage your input and invite your participation by February 28 in a short 10 question survey. Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W8TJBBC To learn more about the Lake Huron plan of action, read the full executive summary at, huronpines.org/glow. More →

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

One of our newest funds is the first at the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan to support an international cause. The Kenya REAL Fund is a permanent endowment for an organization that, while supporting people thousands of miles away, is very close the hearts of people right here in our corner of the world. Kenya REAL (Reach/Empower/Act/Love”) is a nonprofit with a mission to bring education, sustainable income and support to children and families in Kaptembwa, the fourth largest slum in Kenya. CFNEM’s own trustee, Scott McLennan, is closely involved with Kenya REAL, and helped to establish the fund to help donors touched by this mission to donate to the cause in perpetuity. These great photos are of some Rogers City folks and the children of Kaptembwa during one of the organization’s trips. Donors can support the Kenya REAL Fund here: https://www.cfnem.org/funds/give.html?fund=1043 More →

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

The perfect picture for such an icy day in northeast Michigan. Stay safe friends! More →

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Next up in “Who are these affiliate foundations??”: Today we feature our Iosco County Community Foundation (ICCF) affiliate, which serves all of Iosco County’s communities and is led by local people. Know any of these folks? Tony Johnson, Cliff Miller, Patti Casey, Stephanie Mallak Olson, Bill Grusecki, Janel Malone, Pauline Ferns, Dana McGrew and June Pursey all serve on the ICCF Board of Directors as ambassadors, advocates, philanthropists and grantmakers. While the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan serves as the administrative arm for ICCF, this affiliate is overseen by these local volunteers. What does a Community Foundation do? To put it as simply as possible, we connect donors with the causes they care about most. We provide people with a solid way to give back to the communities they care about, forever. Donors establish charitable funds, or give to existing funds. The gifts are wisely invested, and every year a percentage of the funds are given out in the form of grants (and scholarships for scholarship funds). There is a lot to a Community Foundation, and we encourage anyone who would like more information about ICCF to visit www.iccf-online.org or call our office at 1-877-354-6881. Some fast facts about ICCF: -Established in 1999, ICCF has given out $2.19 MILLION, directly to programs and projects in Iosco County, and for scholarships to its local students. -ICCF currently holds just over $5 million in assets, most of which is endowed to make sure Iosco County is supported FOREVER. -There are 46 different charitable funds benefiting Iosco County in all areas of interest, including environmental causes, youth, health, animals, education and the arts. -Many local nonprofits have partnered with ICCF through establishing their own fund at the Community Foundation. It’s a way to ensure they can carry out their mission forever. Anyone can give to these funds in any amount, at any time. ICCF exists because people who care about Iosco County’s communities give back to support them in perpetuity. To learn more about the Iosco County Community Foundation, visit www.iccf-online.org or contact any board member who would be happy to fill you in on what this great organization does in your community. More →

Monday, February 4, 2019

CFNEM Program Director Julie Wiesen gave a great presentation to the Alpena Rotary Club today, telling all about CFNEM's Northeast Michigan Women's Giving Circle. Her enthusiasm and passion for the WGC is contagious. With over $88,000 awarded in grants so far, what's NOT to be excited about?! If your service club, organization or any group in Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency or Presque Isle Counties is looking for a good presentation, contact our office! Julie would be happy to bring her presentation to you! More →

Friday, February 1, 2019

Attention students (and parents)! Our scholarship application deadline is in ONE SHORT MONTH! Be sure to complete your application by March 1st at www.cfnem.org. Don’t miss out on your chance at free money for school! More →

Thursday, January 31, 2019

This looks like fun! Love INC of Oscoda County received a grant from our North Central Michigan Community Foundation affiliate for their "Cooking with Kids" program. Students cooked and sampled new, healthy items like kale chips, pepper jelly, squash soups and other tasty, nutritional foods they may not have otherwise ventured to try. Program organizers say the three-part program was such a hit, they plan to offer it again in the future. More →

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Who are these “affiliate foundations”? Today we are featuring our North Central Michigan Community Foundation (NCMCF) affiliate, which serves Crawford, Ogemaw and Oscoda Counties. Know any of these folks? Andrea Rose, Paul Bailey, Randy Booth, Julie Brooks, Jozann Burgin, Heather Grace, Marc Haring, Kristin Schubert, Bradley Summers and Elana Warsen all serve on the NCMCF Board of Directors as ambassadors, advocates, philanthropists and grantmakers. While the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan serves as the administrative arm for NCMCF, this affiliate is overseen by local volunteers. What does a Community Foundation do? To put it as simply as possible, we connect donors with the causes they care about most. We provide people with a solid way to give back to the communities they care about, forever. Donors establish charitable funds, or give to existing funds. The gifts are wisely invested, and every year a percentage of the funds are given out in the form of grants (and scholarships for scholarship funds). There is a lot to a Community Foundation, and we encourage anyone who would like more information about NCMCF to visit www.ncmcf.org, or call our office at 1-877-354-6881. Some fast facts about NCMCF: -Established in 1997, NCMCF has given out $2.56 MILLION directly to programs in Crawford, Ogemaw and Oscoda Counties. -NCMCF currently holds $4.9 million in assets, most of which is endowed to make sure this region’s three counties are supported FOREVER. -There are over 100 different charitable funds benefiting the NCMCF service area in all areas of interest, including environmental causes, youth, health, animals, education and the arts. -Many local nonprofits have partnered with NCMCF through establishing their own fund at the Community Foundation. It’s a way to ensure they can carry out their mission forever. Anyone can give to these funds! This foundation exists because people who care about Crawford, Ogemaw and Oscoda Counties’ communities give back to support them in perpetuity. To learn more about the North Central Michigan Community Foundation, visit www.ncmcf.org or contact any board member who would be happy to fill you in on what this great organization does in your community. More →

Monday, January 14, 2019

For our friends near the Mighty Mac! The Straits Area Community Foundation's Youth Advisory Council (SAYAC) is accepting grant applications until March 15 for youth programs in Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City. While any type of youth project through a nonprofit is eligible for these grants, our YACs are particularly interested in programs addressing the issues of mental health, depression, stress, suicide and substance abuse for their fellow youth and families. Grant applications can be found at https://www.cfnem.org/sacf/grants/yac-grants.html. More →

Friday, January 11, 2019

A CFNEM Community Impact grant to the Rogers City Area Seniors Citizens provided funding to build first-aid kits specifically for seniors. This particular grant was awarded from the Huron Shores Health Fund. The next round of Community Impact grants are due January 15, and special funding is available for certain areas of interest such as health, youth, environmental projects and even for specific counties. If your nonprofit has a project benefiting the counties of Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Presque Isle, don't miss out on applying! https://www.cfnem.org/grants/community-impact-grants.html More →

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Thank you to our many donors who made 2018 a great year! Gifts of every size are making an impact in northeast Michigan. Your generosity is providing grants, scholarships and support for other local nonprofits today, tomorrow, and forever! More →

Thursday, January 10, 2019

For our Iosco County friends: Grant funding is available for youth programs benefiting Iosco County kids! Nonprofit organizations with qualifying youth projects and programs are encouraged to apply for the Iosco County Youth Advisory Council (YAC) grant. The deadline is February 1, and applications can be found at https://www.cfnem.org/iccf/grants/yac-grants.html While any type of youth program is eligible for these grants, our YACs are particularly interested in those addressing the issues of mental health, depression, stress, and substance abuse for their fellow youth and families. More →

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

We can't "love" this enough times"! More →

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Our Iosco County Community Foundation affiliate is looking for its next Philanthropist of the Year! Who do you know in Iosco County who's making a difference? More →

Sunday, January 6, 2019

With the new snow, surely many northeast Michiganders are shouting, “Finally!” Two Community Foundation grants have helped provide funding to projects that allow us to enjoy the great outdoors in a healthy, fun way. First, with the help of a grant from the Community Foundation, the Thunder Bay Trails Association was able to purchase new cross country ski grooming equipment to keep the Alpena APlex and Alpena Public Golf Course trails ready for kids and families to enjoy the outdoors. Second, a grant to the Blue Line Club from our Northeast Michigan Youth Advisory Council has helped get an outdoor ice rink constructed at Bay View Park in Alpena. With the current cold snap and snow, it won’t be long before it’s ready. Winter is here – go enjoy it! More →

Friday, January 4, 2019

2018 was a great year for the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan and its affiliate foundations. Looking back, then moving forward, we thank each and every donor who makes this all possible! More →

Thursday, January 3, 2019

Looking for scholarships? We’ve got them! Applications are now open for the 2019 Scholarship Season at the Community Foundation. ALL applications are due by March 1, 2019. Visit https://www.cfnem.org/scholarships/ to apply for scholarships in Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Presque Isle Counties. Our online form lets you apply for all of the scholarships for which you are eligible using just one application. For scholarships in our affiliate regions, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Ogemaw and Oscoda Counties, and Mackinaw City, look for the green piggy bank and apply here: https://affiliatecfnemscholarships.awardspring.com/ More →

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Re-thinking giving: Old Glory will forever fly high to welcome residents and visitors to the Village of Hillman. Glen and Sharon Reed are determined to make sure of it. “The sight of the American flag blowing in the wind has always warmed our hearts, especially on our many road trips through the U.S.,” said Glen Reed of Hillman, Michigan. “We always felt it was an awesome sight to see.” An Army veteran himself, Glen also has three brothers who served in WWII, a brother-in-law who served in the Korean War, two grandsons in the Marines, and two nephews in the military as well. Check out this entire great story here: https://www.cfnem.org/donors/donor-stories/love-of-our-nation-sparks-creative-ways-to-give-back.html More →