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.

Foundation Seeks Spring and Summer Internship Candidates

November 08, 2021  /  Guest User

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation seeks community oriented, enthusiastic, and reliable interns to support public relations initiatives and projects. Interns typically serve 15 hours/week for one collegiate semester, though multi-semester commitments are also possible.

Generally, internship candidates are college students majoring in broadcast, communication, English, hospitality, human services, integrative public relations, journalism, leadership, marketing, media, public administration, or sociology. MPACF internships are unpaid, but a stipend may be offered to those completing 300 hours or more for college credit.

MPACF intern requirements include:

  • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines a MUST

  • Good writing and research skills

  • Good computer skills and ability to navigate a shared network drive

  • Capacity to multitask and prioritize projects

  • Positive attitude and initiative

  • Experience with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop

  • Experience with Facebook Pages and Instagram

  • Experience with video production and editing desirable

Foundation to Host Annual Breakfast with Guest Speaker Isaiah Oliver

October 11, 2021  /  Guest User

The Trustees of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation invite you to join in learning about the continued growth of philanthropy in our local community. An annual breakfast will take place on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at the Comfort Inn Conference Center in Mt. Pleasant, MI. Join members of the Board and staff as they celebrate donors and endowment building, highlight accomplishments in grantmaking, and explore community leadership with guest speaker Isaiah Oliver, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.

Generously supported by an incredible group of annual sponsors, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation will welcome guests for breakfast at 7:30 am. A short program will commence at 8:00 am. Reserve your seat by November 3rd to attend this year’s event!

Community Foundation Welcomes New Director

July 28, 2021  /  Guest User

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of Robert Long as a director to its Board.

Mr. Long returns to the Board of Directors after serving from 2009 to 2019. He was previously on the Foundation’s Executive, Scholarship, and Governance/Board Development Committees, and served as President of the organization in 2014. Mr. Long will continue his service on the Foundation’s Facilities Committee as well as join the Finance Committee.

As a lifelong resident of Mt. Pleasant, Mr. Long earned his bachelor’s degree from Alma College. He owned and operated Summit Petroleum Corporation until his retirement in 2018. He has been very active in the Michigan Oil and Gas Association over the years, serving as MOGA President in 2012-2013.

Mr. Long’s generosity over the years led to the creation of the Bob and Jeanne Long Hospice House Fund, the Special Olympics Michigan Fund, and the Summit Petroleum Fund—all endowment funds established within the Foundation to meet community needs in perpetuity. He and his wife Jeanne have two grown children, and recently become grandparents. Jeanne is an active member of the Women’s Initiative Committee.

As a director, Mr. Long re-joins twenty three other community members who represent a wide range of professional expertise and organizational experience: Paul Alexander, Damon Brown, Angie Evans, Joe Fleming, Cheryl Guadard, Dyke Heinze, Eileen Jennings, John Jensen, Dave Keilitz, Rick McGuirk, Linda Morey, Marcie Otteman, Emma Powell, Steve Pung, Nancy Ridley, Erika Ross, Brian Rush, Matthew Showalter, Mark Smith, Michelle Sponseller, Jan Strickler, and Bob Wheeler. 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 grant making and providing leadership on key community issues. To learn more about the Community Foundation, visit www.mpacf.org.

Robert Long headshot
tags / Isabella County

Give Local Isabella raises $100,000 in 24 hours

May 17, 2021  /  Guest User

Twenty-one local charitable organizations benefit from first time event

More than 300 donors supported local charitable organizations during the first-ever Give Local Isabella. Held on May 4, 2021, the social media-driven, crowdfunding opportunity engaged 21 local charitable organizations in a 24-hour fundraising competition. The communitywide event, hosted by the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, raised $100,604.00.

“It was an amazing day and the community is the big winner,” said Kate Connors, Executive Director at Life Choices of Central Michigan.

Organizations with endowment funds held by the Foundation were eligible to participate in this historic giving event, utilizing an online platform to engage current and new community members in causes ranging from health and wellness to poverty and hunger. “We were able to raise awareness and spread the word on social media,” said Connors.

“It was wonderful to check in throughout the day and see all of the generosity and involvement in our community,” said Kirstie Mason, Development Director for R.I.S.E. Advocacy. Donations ranged from $10-$2,000 online, reminding us that everyone can be a philanthropist. When the clock struck midnight, 332 donors had made gifts totaling $49,504.

Organizations competed for $5,000 in prizes during the event. A list of verified prize winning organizations can be viewed at https://www.givelocalisabella.org/prizes.

In addition, $45,000 in match was distributed to participating organizations according to the percentage of total dollars raised. Renaissance Public School Academy, Chippewa Watershed Conservancy, and Community Compassion Network raised the most during the event. A full leaderboard can be view at https://www.givelocalisabella.org/leaderboards.

The prizes and match dollars were all part of an incentive pool committed by Mt. Pleasant Abstract & Title. President Paul Alexander thought an event focused on many charitable organizations in the community was a great way to celebrate his company’s 40th anniversary. “This day has raised money, promoted involvement and elevated awareness of the inspiring work of Mt. Pleasant area charitable organizations,” he said. While local charitable organizations spend most of the year fundraising for day-to-day operations, Give Local Isabella is an opportunity to spend one day—24 hours—focused on the sustainability of these important agencies. “Mt. Pleasant Abstract & Title is proud to sponsor this inaugural event.”

Amanda Schafer and Paul Alexander check presentation

Alexander presented a $50,000 check to Amanda Schafer, CEO of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, last week. Upon accepting it, Schafer was told that an additional $1,000 check was also present—a gift from another entity wanting to thank Mt. Pleasant Abstract & Title for 40 years of service. As a result, two weeks post-event, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation was able to report final, verified donations totaling $100,604.

“Days like (Give Local Isabella) really help remind me of the outpouring of love regularly exhibited by members of this community,” said Mason.

Save the Date: Join the fun and give where you live during next year’s Give Local Isabella scheduled for May 3, 2022.