The Shelby Rotary Club and the Oceana Community Foundation are pleased to offer the chance for Oceana youth to attend camp this summer. Camp experiences bring new skills and self-worth to our youth and build up the 4 C’s within them; compassion, contribution, commitment, and character. The Rotary Club and Foundation donors realize this impact, and work to ensure camp experiences are accessible to all, regardless of financial status. Awards are capped at $250 per applicant, but higher requests will be evaluated according to available funding. All awards will be paid directly to the camps and are available for any type of camping focus – arts, sports, scouts, church, general, and leadership experiences. Application is for one camp experience per child. Preference is given to first-time requests. To apply for support, complete the quick, one page application! Suggested deadline to apply is April 1, 2024. Applications are available at all Oceana County schools, on the Foundation’s website at www.oceanafoundation.org, and at the Shelby Area District Library. Questions can be directed to Tiffany Haight at haightfour@gmail.com or by calling 231-873-1859.

Oceana’s Read Early. Read Often. (RERO) Program would like to welcome Teresa Mead to the Foundation Team as the new Program Coordinator.  Teresa spent 24 years working for Shelby Public Schools. She started in 1999 at Benona Elementary, then 7 years at New Era Elementary running the computer and library programs and her last 14 years at the Early Childhood Center (ECC). She was the ECC Program Coordinator before her retirement in June 2023. 

A new year is also a new start for Walkerville’s future! The Walkerville Community Assessment conducted on November 30th was the fourth area assessment funded by the Oceana Community Foundation to gain local feedback towards developing positive change to meet community goals. The assessment was facilitated by the Foundation and consultant Julie Hales-Smith, with the support of Lake-Osceola Bank. After a month of compiling the feedback received during the full day of assessment activities, we are now ready to report the findings to Walkerville area residents!

In its Fall Community Grant Round, the Oceana Community Foundation awarded $47,509 to 12 local schools and nonprofits! All organizations that applied received funding with six organizations receiving full funding up to $7,500 and three receiving partial support. Additionally, local nonprofits, government organizations, and schools have received nearly $64,552 through the Foundation’s Community Wish Lists so far!  

Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, the Oceana Community Foundation launched a $25,000 Challenge Match through the end of the year. Gifts to the Community Investment Fund or the Administrative Fund will be matched, creating double the impact in Oceana County! “The Challenge Match is such a heartwarming holiday gift to our community,” Foundation CEO Tammy Carey said. “Not only will people’s end-of-year gifts have double the impact, but they will also support Oceana’s local nonprofits and residents indefinitely through the Foundation’s endowment. Gifts will truly become the ‘gifts that keep on giving,’ both now and in the future.”

Have you ever considered giving a holiday gift to your community? With the holiday season approaching, the Oceana Community Foundation recently released its annual Community Wish Lists! The Foundation invites area nonprofits to indicate which near-term projects and purchases can only happen with the financial support from the community as part of its philanthropy leadership framework. This season, 49 organizations serving Oceana County submitted 126 different gift requests, totaling $180,510! To learn more about our Community Wish Lists or to find a wish close to your heart, visit OceanaFoundation.org/Community-Wish-Lists or reach out to the Foundation at 231.869.3377.  

This winter season, the Community Foundation is inviting Oceana County to celebrate the season with purpose at our Holiday Open House on December 15 from 10AM to 4PM. The Holiday Open House will be at the Community Foundation’s office at 388 S. Hancock Street in Pentwater; our office is directly above Shelby State Bank. 

The Oceana Community Foundation is thrilled to announce the addition of Cecelia Hopkins to its staff as its newest AmeriCorps member. Cecelia supports both the Foundation and Oceana County College Access Network (OCAN!) as their joint Outreach Coordinator. “We are incredibly excited to have Cecelia join our team! She is an avid learner and is excited to explore community building on the other side of the state,” Foundation CEO Tammy Carey stated. “As she continues to establish relationships in Oceana County, we hope you stop by and welcome Cecelia to West Michigan!”

The Oceana Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) awarded over $9,500 to local teachers in partnership with other donor-advised funds at the Oceana Community Foundation. Together they provided 39 different grants to educators across the county. Grants awards can be up to $250 for specific projects or programs supporting curriculum enhancements, expanding an already existing unit, student awards, special events, professional development, artists in residence and parent involvement programs. This special grant opportunity opens in August each year to help teachers plan for the upcoming school year.

The Oceana Community Foundation, in partnership with Lake-Osceola State Bank and local Walkerville leaders, are conducting a Walkerville Community Assessment on November 30th. This assessment will be focused on the Village of Walkerville, Colfax Township, Leavitt Township, and surrounding areas. The Walkerville Community Assessment will provide everyone with the opportunity to develop a shared vision for the future – bring your enthusiasm and great ideas!