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.

William and Janet Maar Strickler Community Impact Fund

The William and Janet Maar Strickler Community Impact Fund was created by the couple in February of 2015 as part of an effort to increase the unrestricted grantmaking assets of the Foundation. Bill and Jan sought to share their enthusiasm for our community and show others what is possible through an endowment fund dedicated to meeting unmet needs in Isabella County.

“We realized that one of the best ways to put our money to work for the community was to put it into a fund with no restrictions,” Jan said. “We want grants to be awarded where help is needed most, and we know needs will change over time.”

William and Janet Maar Strickler

Both Bill and Jan have a long history in Isabella County. Bill grew up here, graduating from both Mt. Pleasant High School and Central Michigan University. Jan came to Mt. Pleasant as an adult, and her job with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan moved her around the state for years. She made her way back to Mt. Pleasant, and she and Bill married in 1997.

Bill and Jan have been involved with many community organizations, including Special Olympics Michigan, Women’s Aid Service, Woodland Hospice, McLaren Central Michigan, Art Reach of Mid-Michigan, and CMU’s Clarke Historical Library. Jan served on the Board of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation from 2005-2014, spent two years as President and now co-chairs the Women’s Initiative. Bill currently serves on the Development Committee, and together they are chairing the Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Community Impact Fund Appeal.