Santa House Renovation Project has raised $90,000 so far

The Midland Area Community Foundation is proud to report that the Santa House Renovation Project was strongly supported during the 14 day donor match period of December 1 through December 14, 2011. $90,000 was raised through individual donations, a match from the EGL Currie Foundation, the Midland Area Community Foundation, and a commitment of support from an additional local foundation.

With a total goal of $250,000 to support the renovation plans and build the endowment to ensure that the additions can be maintained, the project is well on its way. “The nearly $24,000 this community contributed is simply an amazing show of dedication to the project,” said Jan McGuire, president and CEO of the Foundation. “We still have some fundraising to do and we’ll be working on that right after the holidays,” said McGuire.

The construction of the new bathrooms, replacement of the roof, new paint, carpet and windows will enhance the experience for visitors each year. The Santa House, built in 1987 has been a very special place not only for local Midlanders as they share the holiday season with family and friends with a visit to Santa, but also for people as far away as Illinois and Ohio.
Construction of the new bathrooms and other renovation work will begin this coming spring and are anticipated to be completed by mid to late summer 2012.

Renovations Planned for the Midland Santa House

In 1987, the Santa House was constructed.  Since then, the Santa House has been one of those special Midland places.  The tradition of the Courthouse Lighting & visiting Santa has been a part of the holidays in Midland that has led to lifelong memories for so many people.  And not only is the Santa House a lifelong memory for our residents; people come from all over the country to visit this spectacular house.

After all these years, the Santa House needs some repairs and an addition or two.  The Midland Area Community Foundation has undertaken the effort with a fundraising and renovation project.  The Santa House Renovation project hopes to raise $250,000 to add bathrooms, a new roof, some window repair and a new computer for the Glockenspiel clock.

“These repairs and additions are going to benefit our whole community,” said Jan McGuire, President  and CEO of the Midland Area Community Foundation. “The treasured memories of families during the holidays is really something unique that this one amazing place offers to families.”  The Santa House is completely free for area families, making it a special holiday experience for everyone who wants to come visit Santa.

There is a special match opportunity for donors from December 1 through December 14.  Every dollar donated will be matched by two additional dollars. This means that if someone contributes ten dollars, thirty dollars will be contributed toward this project.  The match will end December 14. Donate now

The Santa House Renovation will begin in the spring of 2012 and be ready by the holiday season in 2012.

Nancy Money Welcomed as new Program Officer

The Midland Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce that we have selected Nancy Money as the new Program Officer position at the Foundation. “Nancy Money was selected for the position after an extensive search for just the right person for a very complicated and professional job,” said Jan McGuire, President and CEO. “We are thrilled with her acceptance of the position, her experience is sure to offer a lot of great insight into continually raising our ability to excel as an organization.”

Ken Mault retired from the position of Program officer to pursue other opportunities.  “Ken was a real benefit to the organization,” said Craig McDonald, Chair of the Midland Area Community Foundation Board of Trustees.  “We appreciate his dedication to the Foundation’s mission, his expertise and his strong support of our work as an employee.”

Nancy Money joined Family and Children Services in 2009 as the Director of Fund Development.  Her role at FCS encompassed many facets including grant writing, major donors, the annual fund, planned giving and marketing.  While at FCS, Nancy was involved in the strategic planning process and continuous quality improvement team.  Prior to her employment at FCS, Nancy was employed at Alma College as the Grants Specialist. During her tenure at Alma, they received the largest grant in the history of the college from the National Science Foundation.

A native of Midland, Nancy graduated from Midland High School.  She received her college degree from Alma College with  majors in Political Science and Sociology.  She is a graduate of the 2010 Leadership Midland Class and the Fall 2010 Non Profit Management Best Practices class at SVSU.

Nancy is married to Brian Money and they have a daughter and two sons.  She is active in volunteer work through her church, youth sports and education.

Nancy will start her position as Program Officer with the Foundation on November 28, 2011.She will be responsible for administering multiple programs including the Foundation’s grant program.

Going, Going….Gone

When you, your family, or business create an endowed fund or make a gift to an existing community foundation endowed fund, your dollars go farther through a 50% Michigan Community Foundation Tax Credit. This year is the last year to take advantage of this great benefit. This year, the State of Michigan Legislature voted to end the Tax Credit.  The Tax Credit is available only for donations through December 31, 2011.

To search for and contribute to an endowed fund at the Foundation click here

How it works

Current law permits taxpayers to reduce their Michigan Income Tax or Michigan Business Tax liability by a credit of 50% of the amount contributed to a community foundation endowment fund. This unique tax credit will no longer be available in the state of Michigan after December 31, 2011.  All federal tax deductions for charitable contributions remain unchanged.

•   If you contribute $200 or more, your tax credit will be $100 (maximum credit) for an individual filing singly.

•   If you and your spouse contribute $400 or more, your tax credit will be $200 (maximum credit) for a married couple filing jointly.

•   If your business contributes $10,000 or more, your tax credit will be $5,000 (maximum credit) or five percent of tax liability before claiming any credits, whichever is less, for taxpayers filing Michigan Business Tax returns.

Beaverton Area Ladies’ Luncheon Held to Benefit the Beaverton Rural Schools Endowment Fund

On Saturday, October 29^th nearly 100 ladies from the Beaverton Area gathered to have lunch and raise money for a good cause.  This event was held at the Beaverton Community Center and raised over $1,000 for the Beaverton Rural School Endowment Fund.  When fully established, the Endowment Fund will be used to provide additional educational experiences, which go beyond those provided by the District’s operating budget, for students in kindergarten through 12^th grade.  The Endowment Fund is under the direction of the Midland Area Community Foundation.

Using their creativity, the décor for the event was provided by each table sponsor who decorated their luncheon table with a theme of their choice.   This year’s themes included:  Autumn, Halloween, Christmas, Snowmen, English Tea Party, Victorian, Hollywood, Social Butterflies, Painting, and Beautiful Things for Beautiful Ladies.  Those serving as table sponsors were:  Kris Phillips, Dawn Swartzmiller, Joyce Swartzmiller, Pam Cingano, Joan Cashin, Carol Goerge, Carla Haggart, Sonja Loose, Missy Pohlman, Jane Smith, Judy Oberloier, Sharon Clark, and Tracy Summers.  Each table looked unique and spectacular for the serving of a delicious catered luncheon.

A short program on “Fall Gardening Tips” was presented by horticulturalist, Audra Hynes.

Special thanks go to Brian Rowland and the Beaverton Lions Club for the use of the building; Lacie Curns and Chartwells for the delicious luncheon; and all of the table sponsors and those who attended.  The event was coordinated by Pam Cingano and Joan Cashin.

 

Clare County Community Foundation Board Views SMART Board Demonstration at Hillside Elementary

Caption for photo: Principal Barb Elliott demonstrates the use of a SMART board at Hillside Elementary School for members of the Clare County Community Foundation Board of Directors.

The Clare County Community Foundation Board of Directors held its meeting at Hillside Elementary School in Harrison on October 19, 2011.  The purpose of having the meeting at the school was to see a demonstration of the use of a SMART board by Principal Barb Elliott.  Hillside Elementary School now has one of the interactive computerized boards in every classroom.  The first few boards were purchased using federal grant dollars received by the school district.  The staff and principal at Hillside decided that they wanted to attempt to provide the new technology to every teacher and student in the building by obtaining additional SMART boards.

Caption for photo: Principal Barb Elliott demonstrates the use of a SMART board at Hillside Elementary School for members of the Clare County Community Foundation Board of Directors.

Clare County Community Foundation helped Hillside reach its goal of a SMART board in every classroom with a grant award of $5,000.  The CCCF Board held its monthly meeting in a classroom so that Principal Elliott could demonstrate some of the many capabilities and educational uses of the SMART board.  The board members had an opportunity to ask questions about the uses and functions of the devices prior to conducting the regular meeting.

Hillside also used funds donated by the building Parent-Teacher Organization, individual donations by the employees in the building, and another grant from the Alden and Veda   Dow Foundation to complete the project.  Now the SMART boards are mounted and operational in all of the classrooms, and the faculty and students are learning many new and exciting ways to use them to assist with teaching and learning.  Principal Elliott and the students and staff at Hillside Elementary appreciate the support of the Clare County Community Foundation and everyone else who helped them make this project a success.

Combating Hunger in Clare County – More than 340 Local Area Families Receive Food

Harrison, MI. On Saturday, October 29, more than 340 households received food at the former Clare County Transit Corporation facility in Harrison. The food distribution was the second event of the mobile food panty and nutritional education project conducted by the Community Nutrition Network with the help of many volunteers. The food distributions are held on a monthly basis at various locations within Clare County. The next food distribution will be on November 19 at the Farwell High School located at>399 E Michigan St. in beginning at 11:00AM

The volunteers distributed 17,000 pounds of food which included cereals, baking mix, beef stew, tomato soup, spaghetti sauce, canned diced tomatoes, baked beans, spaghetti, long grain rice, crackers, assorted breads and baked goods, pudding, celery, potatoes, apples, canned pears, and pomegranate juice cocktail. With each participant receiving more than 50 pounds of food, many were grateful not only for the food, but also for the volunteers who helped carry the food along the line and to the participants’ vehicles. The Clare County Community Foundation provided the funding for the food distribution. The Community Nutrition Network purchased the majority of the food from the Mid-Michigan Food Bank with the Food Bank contributing the fresh fruits and vegetables and several other items

Many of the participants also visited the nutritional education section to talk to the nutritional educators. They also received nutritious recipes, tips for shopping on a budget, healthy living recommendations for both children and adults, information on proper portion sizes and types sweeteners and sugars, and copies of the Healthy Eating Plate, a graphic which shows how much of what types of foods people should have on their plate and which foods are healthiest. The nutritional education section also contained a display of a sample Healthy Eating Plate and a display of a plate of food from a fast food restaurant compared to a plate of home prepared food. Not only was the home prepared food more nutritious, it was also much less expensive!

The Community Nutrition Network expresses its gratitude to the many organizations who helped make this month’s food distribution and nutritional education event such a success. They include the Clare County Community Foundation for the funding, the Clare County Transit Corporation for use of the facility, the Clare County Sheriff’s Department for the reserve officers who provided traffic control and community relations, Docs’ Dumpsters for the forklift and driver to unload the truck packed with the 8 ½ tons of food, the Mid-Michigan Food Bank for the additional food, MidMichigan Medical Center Clare and the Stone Soup Project for the nutritional information, Glens Market of Harrison for the grocery bags, and the Clare County Council on Aging for photocopying support.

More than 50 volunteers helped out at this month’s food distribution. The Community Nutrition Network thanks the many individuals who volunteered their time, as well as the following organizations for providing volunteers: The Gathering United Methodist Church, Clare First United Methodist Church Youth Group, the Clare County Transit Corporation, the Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Stone Soup Project. Additional thanks go to the many people who attended the event and volunteered their time to help unpack the food and assist participants in transporting their food.

The Community Nutrition Network was created earlier this year to help combat hunger in Clare County and to increase awareness of the importance of good nutrition and developing healthy eating habits. The Community Nutrition Network was formed as part of the Central Michigan District Health Department’s (CMDHD’s) Together We Can Health Improvement Initiative. Members of the Community Nutrition Network include representatives from CMDHD, the Clare Assembly of God, the Clare County Council on Aging, DHS, The Gathering United Methodist Church, MidMichigan Medical Center Clare, MSU Extension, Saint Athanasius Catholic Church, the Ten-Sixteen Network, the Stone Soup Project, and the Whitehouse Restaurant, as well as many citizen volunteers

If you are interested in donating funding and/or volunteering your time with the Community Nutrition Network, contact Pastor Mike Simon of The Gathering United Methodist Church via email to pastormike@gatherchurch.org or via telephone at 989.539.1445.

The Reverend Wally Mayton named Philanthropist of the Year by Midland Area Community Foundation.

The Midland Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce that the Reverend Wally Mayton will be the recipient of the Philanthropist of the Year Award. The Philanthropist of the Year Award is an annual award to honor a community member who has demonstrated a passion and call to action for our community. Reverend Mayton is the epitome of a philanthropist, giving freely of his time, talent and treasure to benefit our whole community

The award, to be presented on October 27 at the annual Ripple Effect, will recognize the Reverend Wally Mayton for his impact in Midland which benefits the citizens of Midland County.  His clear dedication to the community is shown in so many ways.  His generous gifts of time, talent and treasure to the Foundation’s mission is clear. Not only does he support many projects which benefit our community on a regular basis, he invests his time and talent by serving on the Cultural Awareness Committee, a scholarship committee and on the Operational Grants Committee.

The Reverend Mayton’s dedication to the community extends far beyond his service and generous support at the Foundation however. He serves as Director Emeritus at Big Brothers Big Sisters, Board Director for Elsa U. Pardee Foundation, Board Director MidMichigan Health-Midland, Ambassador on the Council of Ambassadors at Eagle Village and is an active supporter and board member of the United Way.  The Reverend Mayton also has a strong commitment to the youth in our community; he serves as a volunteer in a variety of positions at multiple youth organizations including; North Midland Family Center, Camp Fire USA Midland, The Rock Youth Center and Midland Area Partnership for a Drug-Free Youth.  The Reverend Mayton is also involved in many other community-improvement activities such as the Community Advisory Panel for Dow Chemical-Michigan Division and the Circle Area Community Garden.  The Reverend Mayton is a graduate of Leadership Midland and of Great Lakes Bay Leadership Institute where he continues to serve as an Ambassador

“The Rev. Mayton’s countless hours of service to our community represent an investment of his time and considerable talent which made him a natural choice for this award,” said Craig McDonald, Chair of the Midland Area Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “We simply couldn’t be more honored to have been a recipient of his generosity not only at the Foundation but across the whole community.  There are few people in Midland who haven’t been touched by his kindness and it is our pleasure to honor him with the Philanthropist of the Year Award.”

The Philanthropist of the Year Award will be presented at the third annual Ripple Effect on October 27, 2011 at the Holiday Inn-Midland.  The public is invited but asked to RSVP to the Community Foundation at 989-839-9661.

Nick Wardell Named Bob Stoppert Coach of the Year

The Stoppert Selection Committee named Bullock Creek’s Nick Wardell as this year’s Bob Stoppert Coach of the Year.  The Bob Stoppert Coach of the Year award was established to recognize a coach who has done an outstanding job of coaching the previous fall, winter or spring sports season. As a father, coach, and role model, Bob Stoppert devoted a majority of his life investing in young people.  In addition to his coaching experience, Stoppert was also a teacher at Midland High School, a member of the Lions Club for 56 years, an active member of the Methodist Church, and a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Almost seven years ago, a group of friends and the Stoppert family started a fund with the Midland Area Community Foundation to recognize Bob and Bobbie Stoppert’s contribution to the community of Midland. They formed not only the Coach of the Year Award, but two funds to assist educators, one being a scholarship fund for aspiring teachers, the other a fund to honor Bobbie Stoppert’s dedication to Chestnut Hill Elementary School.

Nick Wardell certainly exemplifies the community spirit and love of sports displayed by Bob Stoppert.  As a wrestling coach, Mr. Wardell has provided exceptional service to the students at Bullock Creek High School moving them from a 2003-2004 team win record of 3 wins to a 2010-2011team win record of 26.  Under Nick’s guidance, the Bullock Creek High School 2010-2011 wrestling team was the Tri-Valley Central Conference Champion, and District Champion, Regional Champion and a State Qualifier in MHSAA competition.  This dramatic improvement in the team’s performance is self-explanatory.  However, Nick’s respect of the students he works with has made for not only a winning team, but a team that grew academically as well. As reported by a parent ”  …he encourages them to strive in academics, as a result, this year the wrestling team has been awarded Academic All State Recognition.”

In addition to constant improvement of his team’s performance, Nick’s mentorship has inspired his students to never give up.  The great attitude evidenced by his teams is present in Nick himself as he served as a volunteer football and wrestling coach at H.H. Dow High School in the 2002-2003 school year.

The award was presented to Mr. Wardell on September 20 during a dinner at the Midland Country Club hosted by the Lions Club. Lions Club members, friends of Bob Stoppert, Midland Area Community Foundation staff and Nick Wardell’s family and colleagues attended to honor him as the recipient of the Bob Stoppert Coach of the Year award.

It is clear that Nick Wardell is a talented and dedicated coach who has proven his long standing commitment to youth in our community based on his record. The Midland Area Community Foundation is honored to manage the fund and coordinate a selection committee to make this award possible.

Facebook Challenge a Success!

Midland-MI – The Midland Area Community Foundation launched a Facebook Challenge entitled the Grand Challenge on September 9 and ran it through September 14.  The Foundation saw over 500 individual votes come in with the winner being Personal Assistance Options.  Personal Assistance Options provides support to individuals with disabilities and mental illness based on their personal needs and goals.  The organization will receive a grant of $1,000 to start a “Mentoring Library” where the youth and their Mentor can check out art supplies, books, crafts, board games, etc. to work on building their life skills of communication, socialization, health and safety in a fun way.

Kathy Allen, Executive Director of Personal Assistance Options summarized the success by saying, “We rallied together for a purpose that matters and came to understand the power of progress was found in numbers.  Helping youth with different disabilities was the common goal and our motivation to unify our voices was extremely strong.  Thank you to all who took the time to vote and support our Mentoring program so that we can continue our goal of assisting youth with disabilities to be participating members of our community.”

“It is such a pleasure to not only engage the community on our Facebook page”, said Jan McGuire, President and CEO.  “But also to make sure the community has a real impact on the things that matter to them.”  The goal of the Grand Challenge was to engage nonprofits, community members and the Foundation in one activity that allowed everyone to participate. In short, to build a local social network online.  “We’ve certainly met our goal,” said McGuire.  “With 393 new people ‘liking’ us on Facebook, we’ll be able to ask people what they think of new ideas, convene people who want to make a difference and help to build our community even more.  We see Facebook as a place to share and interact and we are so pleased to have more people who know about us.”

The Midland Area Community Foundation partnered with the Bay Area and Saginaw County Community Foundation to launch the contest.  Each foundation ran the challenge in their community and all saw similar success.  After an evaluation of the process and the results, the Foundations will decide if they will run this sort of challenge again.  “It’s definitely something we feel is successful – it built capacity and community.” said McGuire.

MACF Facebook page

Central Park Band Shell Receives Grant from Midland Area Community Foundation

- Submitted by Central Park Band Shell Restoration Committee

MIDLAND, MICH. – September 14, 2011 – The Chemical City Band today announced it received a $20,000 grant from the Midland Area Community Foundation.  The grant will support the restoration of the Central Park Band Shell, a 1938 structure designed by Alden B. Dow.  The facility has been deemed unsafe due to the condition of the reinforced concrete roof structure.  A variety of non-profit groups, churches, and small bands use the facility to bring free arts and entertainment to the Midland community.

“We are delighted to receive this generous financial support for the band shell restoration from the Midland Area Community Foundation,” stated Bob Johnson, President of the Chemical City Band.  The funds have been placed into the Central Park Band Shell Project Fund.

Over half of the $220,000 project total has been raised to date.  The Central Park Band Shell Restoration Committee hopes to raise enough funding to start the restoration work this fall.  A restored band shell will continue to provide a venue for local artists to showcase their talents for many years.  From the large Chemical City Band to a small folk group to a children’s musical, the band shell allows residents to display their craft with excellent acoustics in an outdoor arena.  Musical Director Jim Huber noted, “The band performed in the grassy area directly between the shell and the benches this year, but we’d love to be back on the Band Shell’s great acoustical stage next summer.”

To donate to the Central Park Band Shell Project Fund, visit www.midlandfoundation.org, or contact the Midland Area Community Foundation at 839-9661.  The Midland Area Community Foundation strengthens our community by providing leadership, fostering collaboration on local needs and issues, and encouraging a legacy of giving through grants, scholarships, and events.

About Chemical City Band

In 2009, the Chemical City Band (CCB) celebrated its 100th anniversary season.  Originally known as the Midland City Band, the group initially specialized in providing music for July 4th celebrations. By 1920, the group was formally known as the Chemical City Band.   During the summer months, open-air free concerts were given at the City’s Revere Park on Wednesday evenings.  This tradition continued until June, 1940, when the Band gave its first performance in a new band shell designed by Alden B. Dow, and constructed near the intersection of Rodd Street and Collins Street.  Since that time, the CCB has continued to perform at the Band Shell on Wednesday nights throughout June and July.

About the Central Park Band Shell Restoration Committee

The Central Park Band Shell Restoration Committee was established in 2011 to raise funds for the Central Park Band Shell.  The committee is comprised of eight volunteers, and includes representatives from the Chemical City Band, the local neighborhood, the City of Midland, and area non-profits.  Community members are invited to join the discussion and share their favorite band shell memories at www.facebook.com/bandshell.

Labor Day Tridge Walk

Join the Midland Area Community Foundation and the Chippewa Nature Center on Labor Day, Monday, September 5, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. for the Annual Labor Day Tridge Walk.

In 1992, Judge Hart began the annual Tridge Walk, and led many of the early walks. Since then, walks have often been led by Midland’s mayors. As tradition dictates, this year’s event will begin at the Farmer’s Market with brief opening remarks by the Mayor, \and Foundation representatives and musical entertainment by Alice Parry. Bill Crozier and members of his band will play during the walk, and Dulcimer music by Bill Kuhlman family and friends will provide entertainment under the Lions Club Pavilion after the walk. Refreshments will also be served following the walk, and participant certificates will be awarded to all.

As an added attraction, the Midland Area Community Foundation will be celebrating the renovation of the Tridge.  This year is the 30^th birthday of the Tridge.  With the renovation completed this summer, it’s a great pleasure to walk over the Tridge. The Tridge has a new railing system, electrical upgrades has been  re-stained and landscaped to prepare it for the next 30 years of enjoyment.

We invite you to participate in this fun holiday event celebrating a wonderful community asset. Chippewa Nature Center and the Midland Area Community Foundation look forward to seeing you for the annual Labor Day Tridge Walk on September 5, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.

The Salvation Army Announces Opening of Community Computer Center

-submitted by the Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, Midland Corps Community Center is pleased to announce the opening of the Community Computer Center.  The computer center has been made possible through a grant from the Midland Area Community Foundation.  The Midland Area Community Foundation strengthens our community by providing leadership, fostering collaboration on local needs and issues, and encouraging a legacy of giving through grants, scholarships, and events.  The Community Computer Center is a new addition to the SAL Learning Center at The Salvation Army.  The mission of The Salvation Army, Midland Corps Community Center’s SAL Learning Center is to improve student’s academic performance, reduce the incidence of behavioral problems, increase recreational and social opportunities, and promote positive parental involvement.  The program’s vision is to give Midland youth the skills necessary to reach their potential both inside and outside of the classroom by enhancing their lives through education, recreation, social, and spiritual development.   The room and computers will be used for outreach programming such as tutoring during our after school hours, as well as for adults in areas such as finance and budgeting classes, a resource for job searches, and resume workshops.

Five New Funds at Midland Area Community Foundation to Benefit the Community

The Midland Area Community Foundation is proud to announce that five new funds were opened to benefit Midland County this month. “This is a record number of new funds in one month,” said Jan McGuire President and CEO of the Midland Area Community Foundation.  “It’s such a pleasure to see the community really stepping forward.  Clearly the sense of place created in Midland, the strength of our local economy and the historical legacy of philanthropy in our community has created a culture of giving.”

The new funds benefit a variety of causes, from a new scholarship opportunity to a fund supporting the new Drug Court.  “The sheer variety of funds we’ve just opened is a testament to the strength and diversity of our community foundation,” said Craig McDonald, Board Chair of the Midland Area Community Foundation. “A lot of people know about our grants and our scholarships.  But the Foundation is also a philanthropic tool that anyone in our community can leverage to impact the causes they are most passionate about.  From education to the arts to local social needs, the community foundation is a great vehicle to help concerned citizens make a difference.  This month’s new funds at the Foundation are a perfect example of the long-term thinking and innovation by our community members.”

There are a variety of fund-types at the Foundation including; Unrestricted Funds , Donor-advised, Field-of-interest Funds, Designated Funds, Organizational Funds, and  Scholarship Funds.  Anyone can open a fund at the Foundation with the minimum $5,000 or start a pinecone fund, a fund designed to grow over time to reach the minimum.

The new funds are as follows.

The communityGives Project Fund provides an opportunity for elementary through high school age students, through school groups, sports teams and service clubs, affiliated with a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization or public or private school district, to earn grant funding for priority projects through volunteerism.  The grants are for youth organizations that complete a volunteer project.

The Midland County Drug Court Fund supports the mission and operations of the Drug Court program.

The Matthew Shephard Endowed Scholarship Fund will provide an annual scholarship award to a graduating senior from Meridian High School who participated in the band program with a GPA of 3.5 or better.

Chemical City Band Endowment Fund supports the mission and operations of the Chemical City Band.

The Arnold Center Endowment Fund, in memory of Amy VanDeMark, will provide grants in support of the Arnold Center’s annual ice cream social for their participants.

The new funds are all supported by community donors and administered through the Midland Area Community Foundation.  For more information about any of the new or existing funds at the Foundation, visit midlandfoundation.org or call 989-839-9661.

The Region’s Community Foundations Now Accepting Applications for Dow communityGives

GREAT LAKES BAY REGION, MI – Working in collaboration with the Dow Chemical Company, the Bay Area, Midland Area, and Saginaw Community Foundations have elected to once again offer youth groups in the Great Lakes Bay Region the opportunity to earn money to support their programs.

Through the Dow communityGives Program, youth groups have the unique opportunity earn $500 or $1000 for their programs while giving back to the community. A major component of the program is the requirement of volunteer hours.  All applicants must complete a minimum of 50 group volunteer hours for local projects and 100 hours for projects with a regional impact.

“In order to make sure we were providing every possible opportunity to local youth organizations, we decided to accept applications on a continual basis instead of the two grant cycles we had previously offered,” stated Midland Area Community Foundation President and CEO, Jan McGuire. “We think a continual offering will encourage more innovation from our applicants.”

The updated program guidelines can be reviewed by visiting the Midland Area Community Foundation website; http://www.midlandfoundation.org/CommunityGives.htm. Applicants must contact the Foundation to discuss their program and volunteer project before applying. Please contact Nicole Wilson by calling 989-839-9661 or emailing at nwilson@midlandfoundation.org.