At the Oceana Community Foundation (OCF), we collaborate with donors, grantees, advisors, and individuals to identify issues that are important to our communities. By bringing people together around a common mission and creating links between resources and your vision for the future, we help to ensure that our communities remain vital and strong.
Every year, we award grants and scholarships that benefit students, youth, education, the arts, community development, the environment, health and human services, and emerging community needs. Projects we’ve supported, such as the reconstruction of the William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail, the inclusion of the Be Nice suicide prevention and mental health program in all of our schools, and the Oceana CAN! program to improve college and career readiness for our youth, continue to enhance life throughout Oceana County.
The Community Foundation for Oceana County exists to enhance the lives of the people of Oceana County by leading, promoting and channeling philanthropy to connect resources with needs.
The Community Foundation for Oceana County envisions a community where everyone has access to resources to thrive.
We lead the philanthropic environment of the area, inspiring contributions from donors, delivering exceptional service and being an active participant in seeking solutions to real-life problems. We work to create a place whereby our citizens live and thrive in a vibrant community with abundant resources.
As residents of the broader Oceana County community, our Board members and staff have knowledge, understanding, and insight into our community and its concerns. Highly engaged as residents and volunteers, they guide the work of the Foundation and serve in leadership roles in community organizations.
Our work is only possible because of generous donors who share our love for this community. Whether it’s an unexpected bequest or a small, year-end donation, every gift makes a difference. By carefully investing these gifts for growth, we’re able to continue making grants that provide a lasting, positive impact on our community.
Your donor information is highly confidential. We will not share donor names, addresses or fund-related financial information with any individual or organization without express permission from donors.
In 2018 we developed a 3-year strategic plan with a strong focus on Oceana’s broad challenges – such as poverty, low education attainment, scarcity of skilled workers and housing. As part of that plan, the Board of Directors identified strategies to effect positive community change in the future, including expanding our presence and impact in the community. The board also acknowledged that we had reached a milestone, an asset level of more than $13 million in 2019, capable of creating an independent foundation. In October 2019, the IRS approved us as an independent nonprofit.
For 30 years, we operated as an affiliate foundation under the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. As of January 1, 2020, we began operations as an independent community foundation and all funds held at the Community Foundation for Muskegon County for the Oceana Foundation will transfer over in late January. We are grateful to have reached this 30-year milestone and for the partnership with donors, nonprofits and the community overall!
Trustees
The Oceana Community Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees providing leadership around key community issues and projects.
Executive Committee
Owner, JHK Media
Owner, Snider Farms
Advisor, William Mack & Associates, Inc
Retired, Thrivent Financial
Retired Attorney
Retired, Corewell Health
Members
Microsoft
MI DDHS, Dept Analyst Farmworker
Owner, Fox Barn Winery
Retired, GVSU Accounting Professor
PLACE HOLDER
Superintendent, Pentwater Public Schools
Retired Educator
Retired, Human Resources, General Motors
Retired Professor & Administrator
Retired non-profit professional, writer
Foundation Committees
John Grant, Joan LundBorg, Jon VanderPloeg, Randy Wagner
Joe Klimovitz, Julie Stivers, Gina F, Marc Rosas, Nicole Kleiner
Frank Arvai, Rita Grant, Garry McKeen, David Ordoobadi, Sarah Schlukebir
Julie Stivers (chair), Jo Estrada-Guerra, Kellie Fox, Scott Karpatian, Lois Lydens, Amy LaBarge, at large: Joan LundBorg, Jean Russell
Rob Barefoot, Amy LaBarge, at large: Erin Stark
Lucy Ordoobadi, Amy LaBarge, Rob Barefoot, Joe Klimovitz, Jeremy Horton, at large: Steve Bass
Representing Hart High School – Abdel Lopez, Addison Schiller, Caden VanGelderen, Donald Budrew, Emery Velat, Isabella Hallack, Joel Knobel, Keaghan Monroe, Liliana VanAgtmael, Shelbie Chopinis.
Representing Hesperia High School – Dominic Rivera, Eva Walker, Grayson Gould, Hunter Tinkham, Kassondra Ellis, Levi Montague, McKennah Tanner.
Representing Pentwater High School – Adison Merten, AnaViolet Jeruzal, Ben Roberson, Charlotte Swanger, Logan Fatura, Maggie Jorissen.
Representing Shelby High School – Alex Dealmonte, Josie Kirker, Leanna Dewitt, Maria Hayes, Olivia Dykstra, Raya Clark, Sammy Castro, Sydney Reed.
Representing Walkerville High School – Ayla White, Grace Riggs, Macy Oomen, Paige Sadenwater-Riggs.
