Nurturing ROOTS. Inspiring GROWTH.
2023 annual report
GIVING GRATITUDE
Charlevoix County Community Foundation began 32 years ago as a great idea and a much-needed community resource. It was a seed planted that would take time to grow. The familiar acorn imagery represented us well during that time; it sprouted, it grew, and it reached toward the warmth of the sun.
Over time and with your help, that acorn has grown into a mighty oak. Its roots are deep and its leaves continue to reach toward the sun. We are grateful to you for being the reason the Community Foundation stands tall and healthy today.
It is with this spirit of gratitude that we proudly present the new look for your Charlevoix County Community Foundation. This slimmeddown piece both launches our new logo and changes the timeline for reporting to the community. Moving forward, our report will arrive in the summer with stories that demonstrate the positive results of generosity combined with partnership, financials that show a complete fiscal year, and recognition of volunteers, donors, and staff who love this community and want good things for our neighbors.
Today we are grateful to benefit from those who gave before us. We are motivated to give and grant and grow to make a difference tomorrow. Thank you for joining us!
Sincerely,
Keith Carey Sara Ward BOARD CHAIR PRESIDENT
& Education Council
community and connections
The Charlevoix County Community Foundation is dedicated to inspiring generosity to drive positive change for the people and places in our area, now and forever. We are passionate about enhancing all aspects of life in our communities to ensure everyone can live, grow, and thrive here. We do this hand in hand with people just like you.
DONOR ENGAGEMENT
Here your giving has a purpose and your impact will be felt by those living nearby, now and forever.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
We encourage teamwork that is trust-based, local, collaborative, and impact-oriented.
BUILDING ENDOWMENTS
Donations big and small, made today, build a strong foundation for tomorrow.
Lisa Clavier, Kiersten’s Ride and Child Abuse Prevention
Shirlee Suter, C3F Donor
GRANTMAKING
We strive to understand the funding gaps in our region and respond to needs when they arise.
Granting for LOCAL IMPACT
The Jordan River Watershed is a unique environmental gem in Charlevoix County and it impacts nearly all the water in our region.
That’s why we prioritized a three-year grant to CONSERVATION
RESOURCE ALLIANCE to support their River Care program. Their work addressed long-neglected culverts at Jordan River road crossings that were impeding or influencing the flow of the river.
Replacing the road crossings with new, ecologically-sound bridges will restore the Jordan to its natural flow, benefiting fish, wildlife, and overall watershed health, which directly connects with our mission of enhancing quality of life for all in Charlevoix County.
ENGAGING YOUTH
to Make a Difference
Hunger is a huge problem in Charlevoix County — one in five children live in a household where there is inconsistent access to healthy food. When money is tight for working families, we know that kids come to school stressed and worried about not having enough food at home.
YOUTH PHILANTHROPY
We encourage everyone, of every age, to make a positive difference in their community.
The Community Foundation is a long-time supporter of the Food 4 Kids program through the MANNA FOOD PROJECT. This program distributes backpacks filled with nutritious food for area children, even in the summer months when they are out of school.
Our Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) students are committed to meeting the needs of area youth and spent a day this spring filling backpacks. With over 21,000 backpacks needed for Charlevoix County kids each year, the YAC helped ensure that their friends and classmates won’t experience the stress of hunger.
YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Addison Burns
Alyssa Martin
Ayla Kemp
Benjamin Schultz
Camden Carey
Emma Patten
Josie Wilson
Lilliann Fenske
Lindsey Jibson
Madelyn Hardy
Matthew Jarema
Maureen Hautz
Olivia Pineda-Andersen
Riley Cannon
Sophie McDonough
William Webb
PARTNERING for Progress
When relationship problems between parents escalate into confrontations and violence that their children may witness, the effect can be devastating. A grant from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation supplied CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES OF NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN (CFS) with a boost to make big progress in preventing that kind of trauma for area kids.
Studies conducted by CFS showed an overwhelming need to provide a safe place for estranged parents and their children to come together. Thanks in part to Community Foundation funding, Safe Haven North opens its doors this year to serve Charlevoix County residents, remove children from the middle of their parents’ conflict, and encourage healthy relationships with both parents. It’s also a safe place for court-ordered supervised visits and parent/child reunification, creating stronger families close to home.
ways to give
MAKE A ONE TIME GIFT of any size to the Community Endowment or choose from 325 different funds that meet needs all over Charlevoix County.
SET UP A RECURRING GIFT to give automatically each month or year to the giving area that best matches your charitable interests.
JOIN THE LEGACY SOCIETY by designating a future gift to C3F in your will or IRA.
START YOUR OWN FUND to support causes you care about most.
HONOR OR MEMORIALIZE a friend or loved one by making a gift in their name.
GIVING MADE EASY
We accept tax deductible donations of cash and checks, credit card payments, stocks and bonds, or qualified charitable distributions from a retirement account.
Scan this QR Code to find a complete, searchable list of our funds or to make a donation.
Location
Location courtesy of the Don & Eileen Klein Nature Trail
Little Traverse Conservancy
City of East Jordan
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Standing: Carol Timmer
Dean Solomon
Monica Peck
Anna Young
Keith Carey
Jennifer Boyer
John McLeod
Bill Lorne
Seated: Angie Nachazel
Erika Van Dam
Jeff Crouse
Not pictured:
Pam Grassmick
Cindy Grice
Jim Lentz
Tom Teske
STAFF
Left to Right:
Bekah Rutz
Administrative Assistant
Megan Havrilla DeHoog
Youth Advancement
Ashley Cousens
Community Grantmaking
Sara Ward
President
Pam Decker
Communications and Development
Matt Greer
Finance and Operations
courtesy of the Jordan River Arts Council
