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.

MPACF, Other Local Organizations Partner with Catchafire to Bring Virtual Support to 200+ Nonprofits

June 24, 2020  /  Guest User

Nine funders from the Great Lakes Bay Region (Midland Area Community Foundation,  United Way of Midland County, Saginaw Community Foundation, United Way of Saginaw County, Bay Area Community Foundation, United Way of Bay County, Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties, and Greenleaf Trust), are thrilled to partner with Catchafire to bring time-sensitive, virtual support to more than 200 nonprofit organizations in the Great Lakes Bay region. Through this partnership, invited nonprofits will have access to skills-based volunteers on Catchafire’s virtual platform, where they can complete any number of operational or capacity-building projects together. This support will empower our nonprofit community to pivot within today’s workplace and environment to assure they are meeting the expectations and needs of the communities they serve. The Great Lakes Bay Region in particular has experienced multiple stressors in recent months, and Catchafire comes with tangible resources to help nonprofits respond and recover in the short term, and build resilience in the long term.

“To continue our support for capacity building among Isabella County nonprofit organizations, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation is pleased to join with funders throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region in the launch of Catchafire,” said CEO Amanda Schafer. “More than thirty organizations serving Isabella County residents will now have access to this incredible virtual platform at no cost,” she added. “That means stronger, more efficient organizations serving our neighbors, allowing them to be that much more effective in meeting community needs.” 

Where talent meets purpose, Catchafire.org

With this partnership, thirteen funders have now joined the One Michigan collaborative—a statewide program aimed at giving nonprofits in Michigan access to Catchafire’s on-demand support. Other grantmakers in the collaborative include founding member Michigan Health Endowment Fund (The Health Fund), Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, the Skillman Foundation, and Washtenaw Coordinated Funders, inclusive of the Office of Community & Economic Development, United Way of Washtenaw County, and St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor.

As part of One Michigan, nonprofits get access to Catchafire’s innovative virtual platform and programming to leverage a network of more than 100,000 skilled volunteers who will help pro bono with needs such as website development, online marketing, strategic planning, professional development, and other areas of critical work in fundraising, program delivery, human resources, marketing & communications, finance, and technology & operations.

Nonprofits post their immediate needs by choosing from over 140 projects, already outlined with steps and deliverables. Talented professionals apply to complete these tasks, and the organizations select a volunteer to do the work. Through these engagements, nonprofits get critical needs filled, and volunteers become deeply connected to the nonprofits’ missions. Over time, these connections can establish long-term relationships where pro bono professionals become repeat volunteers, social media advocates, donors, and potential board members.

Now more than ever, nonprofits leverage virtual support services like Catchafire to help with emergency response, recovery, and resiliency efforts. In Michigan alone, nonprofits with access to Catchafire completed 347 virtual pro bono projects on the platform since March 1, 2020. These projects have focused on fulfilling time-sensitive needs like transitioning to remote work; developing HR policies to keep staff safe and healthy; planning and organizing virtual fundraisers; better understanding the needs of beneficiaries; transitioning programs to a virtual environment; and receiving support from the CARES Act, among other programmatic, fundraising and operational needs. In the process, they’ve leveraged nearly 5,700 hours of volunteers’ time, saving more than $1,224,000.

While our Great Lakes Bay community may be struggling since the onset of COVID-19 and the recent flooding, Catchafire is now a resource that will help strengthen nonprofits in the region so we are prepared for the long road of recovery ahead.

To learn more about One Michigan or to learn how to participate as a grantmaker, please reach out to Ash Didwania, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Catchafire at ash@catchafire.org

About Catchafire

Catchafire is a full service, on-demand solution designed to address the wide-ranging and complex needs of nonprofits by connecting them with talented pro bono professionals. Through Catchafire’s innovative web-based platform and network of more than 10 million professionals, nonprofits have access to people with expert skills who can help them with operational needs such as developing a website, building a strategic plan, designing a brochure, professional development, and other areas of critical work. Catchafire’s scalable and cost-effective model makes it possible for grantmakers to provide a full suite of capacity building services to any nonprofit that the foundation seeks to serve. Catchafire and its foundation partners are not only helping nonprofits improve their capacity, sustainability, and effectiveness, but also leveling the playing field by making capacity building available to any nonprofit or changemaker.

tags / catchafire, volunteers, capacity building

2020 Virtual Scholarship Reception

June 04, 2020  /  Guest User

Welcome to the 2020 Virtual Scholarship Reception! This year, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation (MPACF) awarded 106 scholarships totaling $120,100 to local students wishing to pursue higher education. To learn more about our organization, or to contribute to funds such as these, visit us at https://www.mpacf.org.

Thank you Angie Evans and Joe Walters from 95.3 WCFX for narrating the student awards!

Thank you sponsors for supporting this event!

Pillar Sponsors:

Isabella Bank

Mercantile Bank

The Morey Foundation

Mt. Pleasant Abstract & Title, Inc.

Gold Sponsors:

Bandit Industries

Strickler Resources

Krystal and Scott Campbell

James and Evangeline Fabiano

Steve and Cheryl Gaudard

Dyke and Phyllis Heinze

Doug and Missy LaBelle

Elizabeth Miller and Bruce LaPointe

William and Eleanor Martin

Mike and Dianne Morey

Linda Morey

Lon Morey

Janet Maar Strickler

Silver Sponsors:

Blystone & Bailey, CPAs, PC

Clark Family Funeral Chapel

Coyne Oil & Propane

The Eyesite

Fore Energy Partners, Inc.

Konwinski Construction Inc.

Mt. Pleasant Agency- Central Insurance

Total Investment Planners Inc.

United Apartments

Weichert Realtors Broadway Realty

Shirley Martin Decker

Marie K. Green

John and Ann Jensen

Linda and Al Kaufmann

Steve and Sue Pung

Carol and Jim Wojcik

Bronze Sponsors:

Boge, Wybenga & Bradley, P.C.

Central Asphalt

Central Concrete Products

Central Michigan Orthodontics

Commercial Bank

Fabiano Brothers, Inc.

Fisher Transportation

H&S Companies

Isabella Community Credit Union

Krapohl Ford and Lincoln

Members First Credit Union

Mid Michigan Smiles

Morbark, LLC

Muskegon Development Company

Robert F. Murray and Company

Sue and John Bradac

Jill Bourland CPA LLC

Jena Eisenberger (Edward Jones)

Amy Hovey (Edward Jones)

Dave and Sue Keilitz

Terry and Diane Kunst

Mark and Shelly Smith

Bob and Nancy Wheeler

tags / Scholarship, Reception, 2020

Isabella Drive-Up Mask Giveaway May 28

May 22, 2020  /  Guest User

To help meet the increasing demand for face coverings, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation and many community partners, are coordinating a no-contact, drive-up distribution of 20,000 non-surgical cloth masks on Thursday, May 28 from 4-6 p.m.

There will be two distribution sites in Isabella County--one at Central Michigan University’s (CMU) McGuirk Arena and one at Shepherd High School. Parking lots in both locations will allow drivers to pop the trunk or roll down the windows to receive masks for their household. Drivers are asked to remain in their vehicle.

This event is made possible with support from Logos Galore, CMU’s Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions, Mid-Central Area Health Education Center, CMU Police Department, Shepherd Public Schools, Shepherd Police Department, WCFX 95.3, and WNEM-TV5.    

To support relief efforts like this in Isabella County, visit mpacf.org/covid19 to make a contribution to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Isabella County.

Isabella Drive-Up Mask Giveaway infographic

Community Foundation Welcomes Communications Associate

May 19, 2020  /  Guest User

Liz Fredendall headshot

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation (MPACF) welcomes Elizabeth “Liz” (Whittemore) Fredendall to the newly-created role of Communications Associate. Fredendall joined the staff in March and is responsible for the communications, marketing, and public relations functions of the Community Foundation.

Fredendall studied at St. Clair County Community College before transferring to Central Michigan University (CMU) in 2014. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Photojournalism from CMU, Fredendall worked as a freelance photojournalist for publications such as Epicenter Mt. Pleasant and Catalyst Midland.

“We’re thrilled to expand our team with this position,” said MPACF CEO, Amanda Schafer. “We can lift each other up through positive news, and with a Communications Associate, we are able to tell better, more compelling stories about the amazing things happening in our community.”

Join us in welcoming Fredendall to this new role. She can be reached at liz@mpacf.org.

COVID-19 Community Response

March 16, 2020  /  Guest User

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation (MPACF) is continuing to actively monitor the status of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and collaborate with partners around anticipated local needs. We’re also gathering insight on how we can continue to support communities through the various phases of this situation, especially for vulnerable populations. We are fortunate to be part of a caring, generous, and resilient community. The health and safety of our partners, staff, and neighbors is always our top priority.

Donations: Administered by the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, the COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Isabella County will provide flexible resources to organizations in our area working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic impact of this outbreak.

Community Members volunteering to provide food and supplies
MDHHS COVID-19 hotline image.jpg

Information and Support: We encourage all of our friends to closely monitor updates and review valuable health and safety resources from the State of Michigan, Central Michigan District Health Department, and Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services has developed a hotline to answer health-related questions about COVID-19. For non-health related support, we encourage community members to dial 211.

Our Office: Based on recommendations from public health officials related to social distancing, the Hersee House is now closed to the public. We encourage the use of phone and email communications over in-person visits at this time, to help protect our community and stop the spread of the virus. Scholarship application and donation processing will continue.

Investment Strategy: This global health pandemic has led to increased financial market volatility over the past month. COVID-19 uncertainty will continue to affect the financial market outlook. We have been in touch with IPEX and Isabella Bank/FCI, our investment managers, and our Finance Committee. We are monitoring the situation but remain invested for long-term growth and currently plan to maintain our passively managed approach.

Thank you for your support, strength, generosity, and resiliency in these unprecedented times. Stay informed, healthy, and safe.

-Amanda Schafer, CEO

Four Local Nonprofit Leaders Chosen for Leadership Learning Lab

March 13, 2020  /  Guest User

For the third year, several local nonprofit leaders have been selected by the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation to attend an eight month Leadership Learning Lab. Facilitated by NorthSky Nonprofit Network, the Leadership Learning Lab seeks to connect and empower nonprofit leaders and give them the skills to strengthen the organizations and communities they serve. Funded by the Frey Foundation and the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, the Leadership Learning Lab aligns with the Foundation’s strategic efforts to support capacity building among local nonprofits.

The 2020 emerging leaders are Kim Friedrich, Mike LeValley, Lisa Phelps and Meg Schubert.

Kim Friedrich, Mike LeValley, Lisa Phelps and Meg Schubert with MPACF logo in middle

Kim Friedrich is attending on behalf of Habitat for Humanity of Isabella County, where she has served as Executive Director for two years. She is eager to fine tune her skills as a leader and expand her knowledge of non-profits. She looks forward to strengthening Habitat for Humanity’s relationships within the community by learning to become a more adaptive leader.

Mike LeValley is attending on behalf of the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy, where he has served as Executive Director for the past seven months. He believes the Leadership Learning Lab will directly address the challenges he faces as a new executive director. He is excited for the opportunity to interact and collaborate with other nonprofit leaders so that they might compare experiences and learn from each other.

Lisa Phelps is attending on behalf of the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum, where she has served as Executive Director for the past seven months. She is interested in the Leadership Learning Lab helping to find ways to sharpen her leadership skills and gain new insights and ideas about leadership.

Meg Schubert is attending on behalf of the Isabella County Child Advocacy Center, where she has served as Executive Director for the past five months. She hopes the Leadership Learning Lab will advance her strategic decision-making, critical analytical thinking and knowledge of organizational behavior. The resource of the lab will allow the ICCAC to continue to advance its mission, protecting and advocating for the children of our community.

Foundation Announces 2020 Opportunities

January 06, 2020  /  Guest User

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation (MPACF) is now accepting applications for more than one hundred (100) scholarships. Most are available to local students who will be completing their senior year of high school or GED this spring. There are also more than a dozen scholarship opportunities for students already enrolled in, or planning to return to, some form of higher education. Frequently asked questions and a link to the online application system can be found online. The application deadline is Wednesday, March 4, 2020.

Amanda Schafer and Kaden Campbell
YAC Members check presentation

The Community Foundation is also accepting grant applications for its spring competitive cycle. Applications are due May 20, 2020. Charitable organizations, schools, and units of government may apply. Though all program types are encouraged, the Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees is most interested in ideas that address one of the greatest concerns expressed in Isabella County’s most recent Community Needs Assessment: 1) Lack of jobs that pay enough to live on; and 2) Crime, violence, or bullying. Potential grantees are encouraged to attend a Grantseeker Information Session on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. Contact Program Officer Jaimie Capen-Cascaddan at (989) 773-7322 to register for the 10:00 am or the 3:00 pm session. Both will last approximately 2 hours. For more information on grant eligibility, and ways to support the endowed funds that make these grants possible, explore our website.

Finally, the Community Foundation is pleased to be partner with the Frey Foundation and NorthSky Nonprofit Network to present the 2020 Leadership Learning Lab. Emerging leaders heading Isabella County charitable organizations are eligible to apply for the 9-month opportunity designed to connect and empower nonprofit leaders and give them the skills to strengthen the organizations and communities they serve. Board approval and a $100 participation fee are required if selected. Contact Program Officer Jaimie Capen-Cascaddan for an application. Applications are due Friday, January 31, 2020.

John and Judy Williams Challenge Shepherd Community

October 04, 2019  /  Guest User

John and Judy Williams

Fifth generation resident John Williams feels strongly about Shepherd, Michigan, and he is ready to show it. Along with his wife, Judy, Williams has issued a challenge to fellow community members. The couple will match all gifts, dollar for dollar up to $30,000, made to the Shepherd Community Fund or the Shepherd Public Schools Scholarship Fund at the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.

The Shepherd Community Fund was established in 1998 in honor of Robert H. Bates, an active and beloved resident of Shepherd who passed away in 2008 at age 99. For the last twenty years, an advisory board has worked to raise approximately $200,000 in support of the Shepherd community—holding a Spring Dinner and a Fall Reverse Raffle. Both a former teacher and business owner, John Williams has been part of that group.

The Shepherd Community Fund is endowed, so grants are awarded solely from the interest earned on the invested capital. Grants are made in three cycles each year as part of a competitive process facilitated by Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation staff and Shepherd Community Fund advisory board volunteers. All grants made from the Fund have benefited the Shepherd community. To date, 58 grants have been made, totaling more than $60,000. The Fund has awarded several grants over the years to the Village, Shepherd Public Schools, and the Police Department. They also help with the Shepherd After Prom Party each year and projects such as Wishing for a Washer, the Shepherd Santa House, and the restoration project for the Little Red School House Museum.

The Shepherd Public Schools Scholarship Fund was established in 1995 and was one of the very first endowed scholarship funds started in the county. Shepherd community members, businesses and local organizations have contributed nearly $50,000 to this Fund over the years. Scholarships have been awarded to graduating seniors from Shepherd Public Schools who have been active community volunteers, exhibiting outstanding attitude toward school and community. They must have maintained a 3.0 minimum grade point average as well. This past spring, the 48th, 49th, and 50th scholarships were awarded. The recipients are now using their scholarships to further their education at a college, university, technical or vocational school.

Because of the capital invested in the Shepherd Community Fund and the Shepherd Public Schools Scholarship Fund, there remains a balance in both endowments greater than the sum of money contributed to them.

“I like to see things happen in our little town,” Williams said. “And this challenge is a way to encourage other people in the area to help.”

Community members may contribute to either endowment fund at the Community Foundation through December 31, 2019 in order to take advantage of the Williams’ match offer. Donations may be made at mpacf.org, and checks may be mailed to MPACF, PO Box 1283, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804.