Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation

For good. For ever.

306 South University Avenue Mount Pleasant, MI, 48858 United States

(989) 773-7322

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Isabella County, now and for generations to come, by attracting and holding permanent endowed funds from a wide range of donors, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

Healthy Youth Healthy Seniors Fund

In 2000, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation was awarded $21,000 from Michigan’s portion of the lawsuit settlements against the tobacco industry. The money was designated to serve youth and seniors in Isabella County. Specifically, the fund was established to address seniors’ health issues and to promote a healthy lifestyle for our youth.

kid eating an apple at school

The grant has allowed the Community Foundation to fund many different youth-related programs focused on smoking prevention, substance abuse prevention, access to dental care, child care, community alternatives for recreation, and violence and conflict resolution. Some of the programs made possible from this grant include: Club Read, an after-school reading project in Farwell Area Schools, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Isabella County, and Isabella County MSU extension, which supports educational summer activities for youth.

Seniors bike riding

Grants have also helped create and fund a variety of projects for our seniors. These programs focus on pharmaceuticals, preventing and managing chronic disease, long-term care alternatives, mental health and aging, and workforce aging. Some of the programs made possible from this grant include: the Council on Aging Clare County Emergency Prescription Program, where seniors are provided with emergency prescription drugs, and the Isabella County Commission on Aging, where seniors 150% below the poverty level receive prescription drug assistance.

The $21,000 initial investment started an endowment fund that will make grant rewards in perpetuity. The Community Foundation hopes that the fund continues to provide assistance to programs that benefit youth and seniors in our community for generations to come.