Community Foundation Receives National Recognition
The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation (MPACF) recently received accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere.
“Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Randy Royster, Chair of the Community Foundations National Standards Board. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation demonstrates a commitment to transparency, quality, integrity, and accountability as it carries out its mission.”
The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® program requires community foundations to document their procedures for donor services, investments, grantmaking, administration, and community leadership. MPACF submitted policy documents and other samples to a rigorous review of 41 National Standards in six key areas of community foundation operations. With over 500 community foundations accredited nationwide, the program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.
“Our accreditation provides assurance that we have sound policies and practices in place,” said Terrie Zitzelsberger, MPACF President. “When people make a charitable bequest or establish an endowment fund, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely and honor their charitable wishes. The National Standards accreditation says our house is in order.”
The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation works to meet critical community needs and support local causes, including human services, education, health, sports and recreation, volunteerism, community and economic development, and others. MPACF offers a range of charitable funds, allowing donors to advance a cause, support an individual organization, provide flexible support for community needs or recommend individual grants. In addition to affirming the organization’s philanthropic services, the accreditation validates MPACF’s grantmaking practices for the nonprofit community.
“National Standards is a promise to our community that we’ll continue to do this good work together,” said Amanda Schafer, Executive Director. National Standards is not mandatory. “We choose to go above and beyond,” Schafer added. “It’s important that our community members know we meet the highest standards for local philanthropy, and that we are able to meet the unique, changing needs of Isabella County.”
Founded in 1990, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity that seeks 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 grantmaking, and providing leadership on key community issues. To learn more about the Community Foundation, visit www.mpacf.org.