The Community Foundation for Oceana County (CFOC) recently awarded $26,662 to a variety of community organizations and school classrooms to benefit area people. Highlights of CFOC’s fall grants include support for:
- Love, INC – $3,000 from the Community Investment and the Henry & Dorothy V. Fischer Family Funds to improve the rear exterior of their new office building in Shelby, Improvements to include: tree removal, fence repair, painting the back of the building, asphalt replacement and a new sidewalk to the rear entrance.
- Stony Lake Therapeutic Riding Center – $3,000 from the Youth Fund to purchase therapy adaptive equipment for safe, calm & fun lessons. Additional funding provided by the JT Sackett and Henry & Dorothy V. Fischer Family Funds to support lesson costs for students aged 3-65 diagnosed with a disability.
- Tall Turf Ministries – $1,000 from the Youth Fund to provide “Camp To Go” kits with STEAM and worship themes for Oceana youth ages 8-13, as distributed through local partners.
- Trinity Lutheran Church – $3,000 from the Youth Fund to purchase supplies for the baby pantry, including diapers, wipes, formula, and other miscellaneous baby items.
- Village of Pentwater- Rec Program – $3,000 from the Health and Youth Funds to renovate and add new equipment to the North End Park in Pentwater, including adult workout equipment, resurfacing of basketball and tennis courts, and a handicap accessible play area and equipment for area youth.
- Village of Shelby – $3,000 from the Community Investment Fund to assist in property acquisition to create a new pocket park between the Images Salon and Magooz storefronts in downtown Shelby. The pocket park will serve as accessible greenspace and as a connector from downtown to the William Field Hart-Montague Trail State Park. Future pocket park development will include community input.Innovative classroom projects were awarded $4,662 in Teacher Mini-Grants from the Youth Fund and the Little Point Sable Arts Fund:
- Madison Boundy of Hart Schools for Reader’s Workshop Books
- Alma VanAgtmael of Hart Schools for Lifetime Readers
- Nancy Blount of Hesperia Schools for Virtual Music technology
- Pattie Bartolini of Hesperia Schools for Building Math Fluency with Mathracks
- Jennifer L. Sherburn of Hesperia Schools for Changing the Crystals Inside Iron Demo
- Paula DeRoos of New Era Christian School for The Great Adventure
- Lauren Rabe of Oceana Christian School for Sphero Robot Ball
- Lisa Near of Pentwater Schools for Keeping Track of My Time
- Michael J Phillips of Pentwater Schools for Kan Jam
- Erika Fatura of Pentwater Schools for Exploring Scientific Literacy Using Books
- Abbie Gorton of Shelby Schools for Sensory Overload!
- Shelly Carrick-Van Tassel of Shelby Schools for Collaborative Learning = Positive Learning Outcomes
- Jolene Babbin of Walkerville Schools for Student Interests Classroom Library
- Sara White of Walkerville Schools for Classroom Library
- Jaclyn Wolgamott of Walkerville Schools for Flexible Seating
Grant Resources
CFOC is currently comprised of 170+ funds, totaling over $14 million in assets. The individuals and organizations creating most of them are actively involved in deciding which nonprofits and community projects are supported, but some fund creators entrust the CFOC board to manage the contributions as part of CFOC’s twice-yearly competitive application process. The primary funding source is the Community Investment Fund, which supports critical, unmet needs that suddenly arise or to respond to community projects and opportunities as they develop. Other grant resources come from CFOC’s Field of Interest Funds focused on youth, health, parks and environment needs. Donor advisors often partner to help meet these community and classroom needs.
The Community Foundation for Oceana County exists to enhance the lives of the people of Oceana by leading, promoting and channeling philanthropy that connects resources with local needs. For more information about the Foundation, call CEO Tammy Carey at 231.869-3377 or email at [email protected].