In response to rapidly increasing food insecurity and ongoing uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefit distributions, the Oceana Community Foundation has activated its Urgent Needs Fund to provide immediate financial support to food pantries and feeding programs across Oceana County. A total of $28,000 has been deployed to help partners meet rising demand. 

The Oceana Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), in partnership with several donor-advised funds at the Oceana Community Foundation, proudly announced that every Teacher Mini Grant applicant received funding this year, totaling $8,345.08 in support for Oceana County educators. In all, 32 classroom projects across area schools were awarded grants to help enhance learning environments and spark creativity in the classroom. 

This fall’s Community Grant cycle provided funding for every submitted project, reflecting the Oceana Community Foundation’s continued investment in critical and emerging needs. The Foundation awarded a total of $67,900 in grants to eleven organizations, with grant awards ranging from $800 to $12,500 in support of their programs.

With students returned to local schools, they will see some new equipment in their band and music departments.  This summer, the Electric Forest Charitable Fund awarded $20,000 in grants, including another $10,000 earmarked for their Music in Schools program. Continuing their commitment to uplifting local communities, Electric Forest also provided four grants to support community, arts, music and preservation.

The Oceana Community Foundation (OCF) is thrilled to welcome the seventh cohort of changemakers into the Leadership Learning Lab (LLL) — a regional program that brings together emerging and experienced leaders from across Oceana, Mason, and Manistee counties. In partnership with the Manistee County Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Mason County, we are excited to support the journey of 13 dedicated individuals who are committed to strengthening their leadership skills and deepening their impact within the communities they serve. 

The Oceana Community Foundation awarded $75,056 in total grants to 20 organizations in our Spring Community Grant round. These investments support a wide range of initiatives across our county, focusing on community restoration, youth development, housing and family stability, animal welfare, local economic growth, and much more.  

This summer, 28 Oceana students will attend summer camp with the support of the Shelby Rotary Club, the Oceana Community Foundation, and its donor-advised partners! These students received a total of $6,865 in camp scholarships (or ‘camperships’) with individual awards ranging from $100 to $500 each. All applicants received a campership to help offset the cost. 

In appreciation of the farmworkers and farmers who grow and harvest the abundant & delicious food we enjoy, the Oceana Community Foundation is pleased to host the world premier screening of the documentary of "Did You Guys Eat?/¿Ya comieron?" on Thursday, June 12th at 6:30pm at the Hart Middle School auditorium. Produced and directed by Emmy Award-winning documentarian and Alma College Professor of World Languages and Cultures Stephany Slaughter, the film serves as the opening event for the National Asparagus Festival weekend of activities.

The Oceana Community Foundation is excited to announce the start of our 5th Annual Donation Drive in partnership with the Oceana Migrant Child Task Force. The Foundation is collecting donations of new hygiene items, toys, activities books for children and preteens, bulk cultural foods and more to directly support families through the Task Force’s Camp Outreach events. Each item donated will directly go to a family in Oceana County, providing essential items. Contributors can donate items through the Task Force’s Amazon Wishlist at tinyurl.com/2025CampOutreach.

The Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Elly Bainbridge as its new Scholarships & Student Success Coordinator. In this role, Bainbridge will coordinate the Foundation’s scholarship programs, support student success initiatives, and strengthen partnerships that empower students of all ages in the community. Bainbridge brings extensive experience in education and student support, with 30 years dedicated to attracting students and creating pathways to higher education at Grand Rapids Community College.

This Fall, the Oceana Community Foundation awarded $36,400 in grants to nine organizations, with most receiving full funding for their projects up to $5,000. While the Foundation supports all types of community projects, most of these grants focused on projects in educational programs, outreach and community building, and healthcare services.  

The Oceana Community Foundation is pleased to announce that Alicia Ortega has accepted the position as our new AmeriCorps member serving the Foundation and Oceana College Access Network! (OCAN). Alicia is excited to utilize her knowledge in marketing and apply her efforts towards helping both organizations. Alicia graduated from Central Michigan University in December 2023, where she studied business and received her degrees in Marketing, Logistics Management, and Spanish.

Oceana Community Foundation would like to welcome Claudia Ressel-Hodan Psy.D. as the new part-time Administrative Assistant to the Foundation team. Claudia is a retired Psychologist who has spent the past 10 years in Pentwater contributing to numerous non-profits in a variety of roles including board roles of President, Director, Technical support, website development and fund development.

The Oceana Community Foundation is delighted to welcome six community leaders to participate in a regional Leadership Learning Lab (LLL): Sky Harsch, Hannah Naples, John Medendorp, Amber Rumsey, Phil Santellan and Susan Tippet,. As the sixth cohort of LLL, participants will join Oceana County’s 31 LLL alumni in expanding their leadership skills and networks.

Want to turn your ‘someday’ into today? The Oceana Community Foundation wants to help you increase your earning potential and enjoy a life filled with more opportunities and benefits. The Foundation is ready to invest in nontraditional students (adults of any age) & your careers with our Complete Your Degree (CYD) program! The CYD program helps to reduce the barriers, guide the way, and provide the support needed to reach your goals! Partnering with MCC & WSCC, the CYD program is geared up to help local adults achieve degrees and credentials. Adult learners residing in Oceana County are encouraged to apply by following the application instructions at our website, under the scholarship tab. The application remains open year-round to meet more student needs along their career pathway, allowing people to apply at any time!

In partnership with Rotary Charities of Traverse City, the Frey Foundation, and other northern Michigan community foundations, the Oceana Community Foundation invites local leaders to apply for the 2024-5 Leadership Learning Lab (LLL) program. The Foundation welcomes leaders at all levels from nonprofit organizations, businesses, government agencies, and Tribal Nations to apply. The application deadline is June 28, 2024.

The Electric Forest Music Festival has been an Oceana County summer staple since 2008, bringing people across the country together to celebrate art, music, and nature. While the Festival's grandeur is known cross-country, few know about its philanthropic footprint in West Michigan. This summer, the Festival's Electric Forest Charitable Fund celebrates the sixth anniversary of its Music in Schools Programs with a $10,000 grant. Its generosity continues with additional grants totaling $17,000 to the Oceana Conservation District, the Hart Project “putting the art in Hart”, and the Oceana Community Foundation.

As summer begins, the Oceana Community Foundation is pleased to launch our 4th annual donation drive for the Oceana’s Michigan Migrant Child Task Force. The Foundation is collecting donations of new hygiene items, children’s books and toys, and more to share with West Michigan’s migrant farmworkers and their families. New this year are some culturally sensitive basic food items. Each item donated is directly going to a family via the Migrant Child Task Force’s Camp Outreach events!

The Oceana Community Foundation is excited to announce that Ashley Guardiola has joined the Foundation as a second summer intern serving the Foundation & Oceana College Access Network (CAN)! Guardiola is excited to work alongside the staff and gain experience in graphic design and expand her creative efforts. She is currently attending Michigan State University as a rising sophomore this upcoming fall and is planning on graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in interior design, and a minor in graphic design. Guardiola is excited to bring her design skills into use and help create some new outreach tools for the Foundation and the Oceana College Access Network!

The Oceana Community Foundation is pleased to announce Daisy Mendez as our newest team member, bringing her expertise and passion for community development to our organization. Daisy Mendez is excited to gain on-site experience in the marketing field upon graduating from Ferris State University on May 4. Mendez earned a degree in marketing with a minor in public relations. Her last requirement for her degree is an internship placement, which she will complete this summer through the marketing intern position at the Oceana Community Foundation.