Greenville Area Community Foundation For good. For ever.
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FAST FACTS
• For the past 31 years, the Greenville Area Community Foundation (GACF) has returned over $15.1 M to the area supporting education, health, human services, housing & shelter, food & nutrition, arts & culture, recreation & accessibility, economic development and more. • GACF was established in 1989 as an idea to support the Greenville area by then Mayor Lloyd Walker. Within 10 years, the value of endowment funds grew to over $9.5 million. • Greenville Youth Advisory Council’s (GYAC) members range in ages from 7th grade students to seniors and award grants worth over $50,000 a year to support needs in the area as identified by our youth. • Since 2000, the GACF has acted as the lead administrator for two affiliated family of funds - Lakeview Area Community Fund (28 endowments) and the Montcalm Panhandle Community Fund (eight endowments).
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Officers
Dr. Peter Blinkilde...............................................Chair. Eric Januzelli.............................................. Vice-Chair Amy Homich............................ Secretary/Treasurer. Byron Cook........................................Chair Emeritus
Trustees
The all-volunteer Officers and Trustees include 15 members of our community, all bringing various expertise to the Board. They represent various assets in our area and are dedicated to making informed grant decisions. Trustees include: Terry Acker, Susan Ayres, Keane Blaszczynski, Dick Ellafrits, Doug Hinken, John Kerschen, Dr. Charles McNinch, Larry Moss, Dr. John O’Donald, Phil Tower and Cheryl Willard.
WHAT WE DO
GACF’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in our area. We do that by endowing permanent funds that will support scholarships, programs/projects and organizations that work to meet the everchanging area needs in perpetuity. GACF is a local nonprofit led by a local volunteer Board and Advisory Committees. The Greenville Area Community Foundation (GACF), the Lakeview Area Community Fund (LACF) and the Montcalm Panhandle Community Fund (MPCF) work collaboratively with individuals and organizations and manage competitive grant cycles throughout the year. There are many different endowment fund types and staff can help determine which type of fund meets the charitable intent of donors. The minimum amount to start a named endowment fund is $10,000 but donors can participate in the “Funds Under Construction” program as well. The concept of endowment funds is much like a savings account that is invested, but with a portion of the earnings spent each year to help meet the area’s ever-changing needs.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Supporting the endowment funds within the Greenville Area Community Foundation and its affiliates the Lakeview Area Community Fund and the Montcalm Panhandle Community Fund is like “onestop” gifting. Donations can be given to one Fund or many. Just let us know your interest. Important now though, is the GACF Urgent Needs Fund. It was was set up to specifically respond to the unusual circumstances caused by the pandemic. New barriers have been created for our nonprofits to provide services and to stay sustainable. Those funds will help meet these current urgent needs. To donate, visit www.gacfmi.org and click on the “Give Now” button. You can choose the division (Greenville, Lakeview, Panhandle) and then select the specific fund you want to support using your credit card on our secure site. The “notes” section can be used to list multiple funds if that is your intent. Or send a check written to GACF with the endowment fund’s name(s) on the memo line and mail to GACF, 101 N. Lafayette, Greenville, MI 48838. A gift letter of receipt will be mailed to you for your records whether you do so by check or online. For questions, call GACF at 616-754-2640, visit our website or email Alison Barberi using alison@gacfmi.org
Staff
Amy O’Brien...........................Director of Programs Laura Montoye...... Dir. of Community Investment Sally Marshall......................Director of Operations Emily Mason................................ GYAC Co-Advisor Robin Bremby............................. GYAC Co-Advisor Alison Barberi...................................President/CEO
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