News & Stories
Advancing a Brighter Future for Everyone
“That’s why supporting the Community Foundation’s diversity, equity, and inclusion work is so important to me,” said Michael. “I had a long coming out process, and I know that other kids from my era struggled with their queerness by themselves. I’m creating opportunities for others to make up for what I lacked during my own childhood.”
Michael, who seeded our Endowment for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, has been a longtime supporter. He has donated to our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund (a non-endowed fund) and also established the Michael Dively American Government Award Endowment, which provides an annual award for outstanding Traverse City public high school students displaying marked excellence in American Government studies.
“I’ve known about the Community Foundation for years and wanted to do something that would honor queer kids, Indigenous people, those with disabilities, and other folks who are perceived as ‘different’ within our society,” Michael explained. “I found out they had been dreaming of creating an endowment that would allow for ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion programming, and I wanted to support their efforts. I think it’s important to educate our community about embracing the variety of human differences they see all around them.”
Although Michael now lives in Florida, he’s no stranger to the region. Having first visited Traverse City during law school at the University of Michigan, he moved to the area in 1964. He can recall the peace and solitude of winters in Traverse City, years before ski resorts, wineries, and enormous hotels dotted the region.
On first arriving in the area, Michael joined the law firm of Murchie, Calcutt, and Brown, then served in the Michigan House of Representatives for the 104th District between 1968 and 1975. He continued to commute to Traverse City after accepting positions as the Deputy Director of Michigan Commerce and Director of the Energy Administration before leaving for Florida in 1989.
Michael is dedicated to making a difference in people’s lives. Decades before our organization was founded, he spearheaded a push for a regional community foundation and later co-founded the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys. His Mukti Fund, founded in 1983 to support cultural and environmental projects in the eastern Caribbean, now funds a Queer Youth Theater program and empowers LGBTQ+ youth in central Florida. He has also endowed awards for student leadership and excellence at Albion and Hiram Colleges. In addition, The Dively Committee for Human Sexuality and Diversity, named in his honor at Williams College, his alma mater, promotes awareness and respect for human sexual diversity.
“Sometimes we don't even realize how much a grant or an endowment can change people’s lives,” said Michael. “That support nurtures and encourages people, which is part of the joy of being a philanthropist.”
The opportunity to create the Endowment for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion appealed to Michael’s longing for underrepresented communities to feel safe and accepted. He hopes this Endowment will help educate people about the importance of celebrating human difference and diversity in a region that remains close to his heart.
“Organizations like the Community Foundation strengthen and nurture the community, and that really makes a difference,” said Michael. “It has a positive impact on kids and their families. And when young people are supported by their community, who knows where that will take them?”
Writer: Alex Daily