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 →

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Wishing you all a happy, healthy New Year! More →

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Here’s a documentary you should check out: Filled with Native American storytelling, poetry, and a rich exploration of the Anishanaabe people in Northeast Michigan, “Mindjimendamowin (Blood Memory)” is a must-see. This award-winning documentary affected many who have been able to view it. The short film won “Best Documentary” of the 2018 Sunrise 45 Film Festival in Alpena, and was also nominated for five awards at the 2018 Idyllwild International Film Festival of Cinema in Idyllwild, Calif., winning the award for “Best Director Documentary Featurette”. A Community Foundation grant to Mitten Women Productions, Inc. provided funding for this project. More →

Monday, December 24, 2018

From your friends at the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan! More →

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Congratulations to these Leadership Learning Lab “graduates”! These leaders from Northeast Michigan nonprofits have spent the last eight months in a supportive cohort learning and developing skills to help them better serve their communities through their nonprofit positions. This year’s participants were Judy Burns, Mary Schalk, Nena Sork, Rebecca Yuncker, Kristen Carmany, Amy Fuller, Tish Jankowski, Brandy Riopelle, Jennifer Muladore and Jennie Zoll. This was the first year of a three-year initiative, made possible through a grant from the Frey Foundation, with support from the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, Roscommon County Community Foundation and Otsego County Community Foundation. More →

Friday, December 21, 2018

The next round of Community Impact and Youth Advisory Council (YAC) grants are due January 15. Check out the latest youth grants awarded this month! http://www.thealpenanews.com/life/2018/12/nemyac-awards-25334-in-youth-grants/ More →

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Check out these great photos of Art in the Loft's R.E.A.C.H. program! CFNEM’s Community Impact grant and Northeast Michigan Women’s Giving Circle (WGC) have both provided grant funding to support this program, which stands for Recognizing Everyone’s Abilities and Creative Hearts. Indeed! More →

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

The Boy Scouts themselves tell this story best of what grant funding and donations can do. “For some of his young life, Michael Buchler spent time in and out of hospitals and by his side through it all was his best friend, a dog named Wee Wee. Wee Wee was more than just a pet, it seemed the dog knew when something was wrong with Michael before any of Michael’s family did. Luckily, some of Michael’s medical problems dissipated as he aged, but sadly in 2014 Wee Wee passed away. As Michael and his family grieved they always felt like something was missing. After spending time at the Huron Humane Society, Michael found a new puppy named Snoopy. While filling out paper work Michael noticed the lack of outdoor space for the dogs to play in. This sparked an idea in Michael to focus his Eagle Project on building a dog park behind the Huron Humane Society. Through a lot of hard work Michael created a budget, timeline, several fundraising campaigns, and a plan to approach local businesses for sponsorship for the project. Overall, Michael raised $8,000 in cash donations, $1,000 in-kind donations and had over 46 volunteers help with the actual build. On August 2018, Pawing Around was officially open to the Huron Humane Society dogs. Because of Michael’s Scouting past he had the tools to plan, organize, and implement this wonderful project that will help countless animals at the Huron Humane Society. Through supporting the Scouting Program, funders like the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, are investing in the future of Scouts like Michael.” Super cool. More →

Monday, December 17, 2018

Nobody ever wants to find themselves in a position to need the services of the Ronald McDonald House, but when they are needed, thank goodness and organization like this is there! Check out this video of a mother and her daughter, both from Grayling. A grant from our North Central Michigan Community Foundation affiliate provided funding for the Ronald McDonald House to help support families from our local service area who need to stay at their facility, like the Kindler family. https://upnorthlive.com/features/upnorthfamily/mittens-for-good-winter-wear-supports-families-with-children-in-the-hospital More →

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Funding opportunity! Nonprofits needing money for projects in Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Presque Isle Counties should head to our website to complete a grant application. Community Impact and Northeast Michigan Youth Advisory Council (NEMYAC) grant applications are being accepted until January 15. Visit https://www.cfnem.org/grants/ to apply! More →

Friday, December 14, 2018

Lucky for Jeff it's not AS cold today! More →

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Here come the materials for new fencing for the Ogemaw County Parks and Rec Department! A $1,000 grant through our North Central Michigan Community Foundation affiliate provided funding to purchase the supplies to expand the fencing system at the Nature Park, which will provide a better and more sustainable habitat for their white-tailed deer enclosure. More →

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

If you want to know why our YACs are so important, this is a must read! Last night our Board of Trustees had the opportunity to hear from Northeast Michigan Youth Advisory Council (YAC) members Robert Fairchild and Jenna Peterson about their experience with their Alpena YAC. Jenna explained how their group has to make some very tough decisions on grant funding for local nonprofits for projects affecting their peers. “If we decide to give so much to ‘this’ program, then we have to take away some from ‘that’ program,” said Jenna. “It’s teaching me a sense of balance and using resources wisely.” Robert said one of the things he has come to realize over his time on YAC is that his group is doing some very important work, and he is proud of that. “This is different from a regular club at school,” Robert told the Board. “This affects lives. It really, really matters.” YACs are responsible for determining where grant funding from our Kellogg Youth Funds is directed, with nearly $100,000 being granted annually throughout our nine-county service area. A BIG thanks to Jenna and Robert for sharing your experience with us! More →