The Community Foundation for Oceana County is fondly thanking parting members while welcoming new additions to its sixteen-member Foundation board. In honoring Garry McKeen, Gerrit Herrygers, and Gene Davidson and their time serving Oceana County, the Foundation thanked our retiring trustees by having them name a grant of $1,000 from its Leadership Fund to a Foundation Fund of their choice.
The Community Foundation for Oceana County announces the opening of their Spring 2022 Community Grant Round. The application opens Friday, March 11th, requests are submitted online at the Foundation’s website and due by April 8th. The Foundation will host a grant workshop to showcase a new version of their application portal, GoApply. The newly designed portal excels in user-friendly navigation and submission options. The virtual workshop will discuss the Foundation’s grant priorities, portal navigation including how to register, and answer any grantee questions. To register for the workshop, visit the Foundation’s website at https://oceanafoundation.org/grants/applying-for-a-grant/
After a brief program hiatus in 2021, the Community Foundation for Oceana County (CFOC) has selected nine local nonprofit leaders to participate in a regional Leadership Learning Lab. The fourth cohort is the largest to participate in the program, which began in 2018. The Leadership Learning Lab is a collaboration between the Frey Foundation, Rotary Charities and 10 northern Michigan community foundations and aligns with CFOC’s strategic efforts to support capacity building among local partners. “In today’s world, the conditions to be successful are constantly shifting. Changemakers need to lead with a new kind of discipline, courage, and skill. Passion for a cause is essential, but what we asked ourselves - what more can we do to help our nonprofit, government, and business leaders to sustain their work, increase their impact and work together for social change?” said Foundation CEO Tammy Carey. There will be two more cohorts selected in upcoming years to complete this new 3-year Leadership Learning Lab program commitment.
Throughout the holiday season, Read early. Read often. (RERO) has partnered with Santa to bring free children’s books to the children and families of Oceana County. At local Christmas Tree Lighting Events, Santa Meet & Greet’s, and as gifts to go under the tree, free books were given out in November and December! For a third year, the Villages of Shelby, New Era, Walkerville, and the City of Hart have passed out books at their holiday ceremonies.
A new year is also a new start to Hesperia’s future. The Hesperia Community Assessment, held in August, was the third area assessment funded by the Community Foundation for Oceana County in their community development work. Led by the Foundation and consultant Julie Hales-Smith, the assessment was also supported by key area partners, including the Village of Hesperia, Hesperia Area Chamber of Commerce, the Right Place, and the Oceana County Economic Alliance.
The Community Foundation for Oceana County’s scholarship application is now open and accepting applications until March 1, 2022. To be eligible, you must be a resident of Oceana County and a graduate of an Oceana public or private school. Scholarships are available for everyone; graduating seniors, current college students, even those looking to enter into an apprenticeship program- everyone should apply!
The Community Foundation for Oceana County (CFOC) is pleased to announce the recipients of its Fall Community Grant Round. Thirteen grant proposals were awarded, totaling $50,900, to support a range of nonprofit initiatives, health programs, and community projects. CFOC houses over 180 funds, each created by organizations, businesses and individuals passionate about supporting various nonprofits, causes and projects.
With the holiday season fast approaching, have you thought about giving back to Oceana County? The Community Foundation for Oceana County (CFOC) is thrilled to share its 2021 Community Wish Lists. Each year, the Foundation invites Oceana nonprofits to share their ideas for new projects and purchases they’re hoping for this year. These programs are only possible with the help of the community, as these wishes help cover expenses beyond their cash-strapped budget. Funding a wish is a fantastic way to celebrate your community!
In partnership with NorthSky Nonprofit Network, Rotary Charities of Traverse City, the Frey Foundation, and other northern lower Community Foundations, the Community Foundation for Oceana County (CFOC) invites local leaders to apply for the 2022 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 December 1, 2021
The results are in on the Hesperia Community Assessment conducted on August 18. The report out and planning meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 2nd at the Hesperia High School cafeteria at 6:30pm. Participants are asked to enter through the cafeteria doors. The consultant has prepared a comprehensive report and will lead this follow-up resident session to identify top priorities, issues and next steps. Together, participants will brainstorm a starting point towards reaching their vision, and a roadmap of how to approach community investment.