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!