Help us honor Dave's legacy!
Join us to honor Dave Mengebier, our outgoing CEO, by leaving a legacy for our region with a gift to our Focus Fund Endowment!
Local Impact
Trusted Giving Partner. Sustainable Resource.
As a community foundation, we're uniquely positioned to invest gifts in permanent endowments that generate ongoing grants and scholarships to support our local communities, forever.
We combine gifts to increase value, leverage strategic partnerships for greater impact, and invest for sustainability, all to ensure granted funds make a marked difference on the quality of life throughout our region.
By working together, we can support meaningful, lasting impact, now and forever.
2024 At A Glance:
- $99k awarded to support environmental quality, protection, and education.
- $78k awarded to support health and human service programs.
- $131k awarded to support arts and culture programs and organizations.
- $2.3M in assets for the benefit of the community.
- $563k awarded to support education and early childhood programs.
- $26k awarded to support environmental quality, protection, and education.
- $57k awarded to support arts and culture programs and organizations.
- $22.3M in assets for the benefit of the community.
- $139k awarded to support health and human service programs.
- $52k awarded to support education and early childhood programs.
- $99k awarded to support arts and culture programs and organizations.
- $10.4M in assets for the benefit of the community.
- $333k awarded to support health and human service programs.
- $157k awarded to support youth causes and programs.
- $101k awarded to support environmental quality, protection, and education.
- $11.5M in assets for the benefit of the community.
- $21k awarded to support education, scholarships, and early childhood programs.
- $21k to support support environmental quality, protection, and education.
- $20k awarded to support youth causes and programs.
- $233K in assets for the benefit of the community.
Our Programs & Initiatives
- Community Development
As the convenor of the Northwest Michigan Community Development Coalition, we provide leadership to more than 40 business, governmental, and nonprofit cross-sector partners working together to advance transformational change in the region. Together we’re working to align and leverage resources and coordinate public policy and advocacy actions to drive positive economic, societal, and environmental improvements throughout our communities.
- Diversity Equity Inclusion
We understand that our neighbors across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties and the sovereign nation of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians have different needs and that these needs can change over time. We are committed to using our leadership, resources, and voice to build toward a better future where all people across our region have equitable access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Through diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, we can work together to support a region of healthy, resilient, thriving communities that benefits everyone.
- Early Childhood
We know that supporting families during a child’s first years of life is essential to their future success and opportunities to thrive, including through their school years and beyond. We are striving to contribute to the dynamic and collaborative partners working across the region to ensure that all children in our region get a strong start through stewardship of our Cleo M. Purdy Endowment and CLEO – Central Lake Early Opportunities, as well as leveraging other resources, including grants and partnership, in support of the early childhood system overall.
- Youth Philanthropy
We strive to engage young people to be leaders and decision-makers on issues impacting youth in their communities. Through our Youth Advisory Councils (YACs), local high school students have the opportunity to engage directly in philanthropy. Our YACs are made up of young people from each of the five counties we serve—Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau. Together, YAC students act as advisors to our Youth Endowment, giving money to youth programs and services that make a difference in our region.