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.