Saturday, November 17, 2018

Last year, we let you know how our local youth overwhelmingly reported that “stress issues” and “mental health” were among the top areas where they feel help is needed for their peers. Our Youth Advisory Councils are aiming to direct funding to these issues through their grantmaking. And THAT is one of the reasons why the Community Foundation has elected to have the YACs from each area we serve to be part of #GivingTuesdayNEMI this year! Donations to these endowment funds, whether on Giving Tuesday or any time of the year, mean more money can go toward addressing these problems for our kids. More →

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Today is National Philanthropy Day! It doesn’t take all the money in the world to be a philanthropist. It takes a caring heart, a charitable spirit, and an effort to make your community better in some way. At the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, we believe EVERYONE can be a philanthropist, and for that, we celebrate today! More →

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Giving Tuesday Northeast Michigan is November 27 – less than 2 weeks away! For that 24-hour period, we hope you will support the many nonprofit organizations in our communities whose staff, volunteers and donors give each and every day to make where we live, the place we love to be! We have 60 nonprofits participating, 29 of which are participating for the first time this year at www.cfnem.org/givingtuesday. Yay! #GivingTuesdayNEMI More →

Monday, November 12, 2018

CFNEM Executive Director Patrick Heraghty presented at the Alpena Rotary Club meeting today, updating members on two of the club's funds held at CFNEM, as well as the cool happenings at our Community Foundation! More →

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Do you know of a youth-related program in Crawford, Ogemaw or Oscoda County? Youth Advisory Council grants for this area, served by our North Central Michigan Community Foundation, are due December 15. Projects addressing stress, mental health and depression, and substance abuse are of particular interest to our YACs. Visit http://www.cfnem.org/ncmcf/grants/yac-grants.html for the applications and guidelines. 501(c)(3) organizations in the NCMCF service area, as well as schools, churches and government agencies are welcome to apply. More →

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

This looks like fun! Kids in our North Central Michigan region were able to experience the great outdoors and learn new skills through a Community Foundation grant-funded project, YMCA Camp Timbers West Branch Nature Program. "The most important outcome of this program is that students gained a greater appreciation and understanding for the world around them, specifically the nature within Ogemaw County," said Chelsea Schiavi of Camp Timbers. "This includes grasping the concept of orienteering and GPS Navigation. This year, we had just over 850 students that were directly impacted by the nature programs that we offer for Outdoor Education." More →

Monday, November 5, 2018

A year ago, we shared the “First Million Goal” by 2020 for the Northeast Michigan Women’s Giving Circle (WGC). 365 days ago, the WGC Endowment Fund was at $580,000. TODAY, it has grown to $617,000 through investments and the generous donations of its members. Every donation brings the WGC one step closer! Please consider supporting the Northeast Michigan Women’s Giving Circle on Giving Tuesday, November 27 at cfnem.org. https://www.facebook.com/211282204045/photos/a.463426059045/10156740759079046/?type=3&theater More →

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Northeastern Michiganders know that our communities have bucket-loads of hidden gems around every corner. Alcona County is certainly a place like that. A $1,000 CFNEM Community Impact Grant helped Inspiration Alcona to support the Alcona County Quilt Trail by revitalizing its plaques, updating their marketing brochure, and creating a new “pattern book”. (If you’re a quilter, you’ll want to check that out!) With 28 barn quilts throughout Alcona County, the Quilt Trail makes for a fun day of driving, photographing, and discovering other hidden treasures in this beautiful county. More →

Friday, November 2, 2018

This story embodies the spirit of philanthropy! These three men - Keith Charters, John Kulhavi and Dennis Fuerst – were members of the first Whittemore-Prescott High School football team in 1957. Now, more than sixty years later, these same three men joined forces to establish the Whittemore-Prescott Education Foundation (WPEF), pulling in W-P alumni Gary Gillings and W-P Superintendent Joe Perrera. At a recent football game, the three former football team members conducted the coin toss at the W-P/Alcona game to help raise awareness of WPEF, whose goal is to enhance the educational experience for students at Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools through its grants. It’s a venture that is already benefiting these students through classroom technology, a robotics program and a watershed testing program. Learn more about this grass-roots effort through the Whittemore-Prescott Education Foundation. More →

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

As uncomfortable as it is to think about, human trafficking is happening all around us. Kudos to the Human Trafficking Community Group from Ogemaw County for working hard to raise awareness, help victims and aiming to help stop this practice. A $1,000 Community Impact grant from our North Central Michigan Community Foundation affiliate supported this group's recent "Walk for Freedom". More →

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Save the date! Giving Tuesday Northeast Michigan 2018 is right around the corner. Will you help us make November 27 the biggest day of local giving yet? #givingtuesdaynemi More →

Monday, October 29, 2018

Whether your nonprofit’s project focuses on issues important to women, youth programming, or other great charitable causes around northeast Michigan, we’ve got grant funding available to help out. Be sure to stay on top of our different grant opportunities and their deadlines! Here's what you need to know for projects in Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Presque Isle Counties. More →

Saturday, October 27, 2018

Today is Make a Difference Day! Ways to make a difference in our world, our community, or in someone's life are limited only by our imaginations. A simple smile, a helping hand, or something grand...how will we make a difference today? More →

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Take a closer look at why these Presque Isle lighthouses need our communities' support. http://www.wbkb11.com/presque-isle-community-begins-journey-to-restore-old-presque-isle-lighthouse More →

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

The Community Foundation was honored to accept a $15,000 donation yesterday for the establishment of the Presque Isle Township Lighthouses Restoration Fund. The Old and New Presque Isle lighthouses are treasures for our region, and this fund will help preserve them for future generations. To support this project, you can donate to the fund at http://www.cfnem.org/funds/give.html?fund=1001. And check out the full story here! http://www.thealpenanews.com/news/local-news/2018/10/250k-sought-for-pi-lighthouse-restoration/ More →

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

The updated Northeast Michigan Women's Giving Circle donor recognition sign is up at the CFNEM headquarters! If you've made a donation to the WGC Fund in the last 12 years, your name is on here!💜 More →

Friday, October 19, 2018

Why is the Community Foundation supporting a nonprofit in Grand Rapids? THIS is why. Little Easton Ortiz, of Wolverine, was able to have his mother at his side while he gained strength at DeVos Children's Hospital after being born prematurely. A grant to the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan from our Straits Area Community Foundation provided funding to support families from Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City needing a place to stay while they tend to their family member. https://youtu.be/pyqwu-XxiZc More →

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Program Officer Kara Bauer LeMonds is armed with Tootsie Pops and putting lots of miles on her car to meet all of our Youth Advisory Councils (YAC) and get them ready for a year of grantmaking! She's heading to Grayling today for the 8th of 11 YAC orientations. Bring on the YAC Year! More →

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

This is a great blog post about the many ways teens in the Alpena area can get involved in their communities, doing incredible things. Our very own Youth Advisory Council is featured! https://www.visitalpena.com/4-different-ways-to-be-young-and-influential-in-alpena-sanctuary-of-the-great-lakes/ More →

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

We want to give heartfelt congratulations to Rob Collier, outgoing president of the Council of Michigan Foundations! This wonderful man has been, and will continue even in retirement, a champion for community foundations, youth philanthropists (hello YACers!) and philanthropy across our state. Congratulations on your retirement Rob! More →

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

How lucky we are to have Northern Michigan's only professional theater in Alpena, and serving all of northeast Michigan through its performances and outreach programs! Thunder Bay Theatre's fund is held here at the Community Foundation. http://www.wbkb11.com/thunder-bay-theatre-has-eyes-set-on-new-lobby-entrance More →