Charlevoix County Community Foundation 2020 Annual Report

Charlevoix County Community Foundation

2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORT

SO. MUCH. GOOD.

FOR 27 OF OUR 28 YEARS, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HAS PRODUCED AN ANNUAL REPORT. We’ve loved doing it. It’s a great way to show our thanks and share what’s been accomplished with your support.

BUT THIS YEAR FEELS DIFFERENT. The pandemic, job loss, and

economic, political, and social upheaval have filled our world with uncertainty. Mindful of the needs of our community and our responsibility to be good stewards of our charitable dollars, we made a decision.

NO TRADITIONAL ANNUAL REPORT.

INSTEAD, WE USED THE MONEY SAVED TO

SUPPORT THOSE IN NEED.

Your gifts were invested in...Helping struggling families receive food from local pantries. Providing necessary personal protective equipment and other health-related needs to patients and staff in area hospitals and health organizations. Enabling residents to receive important mental health services. Expanding access to web-based services in remote areas, including access for telehealth, education, and other services. Expanding access to web-based services for telehealth and education and so, much, more.

IT SEEMED LIKE THE RIGHT THING TO DO. WE THINK YOU’LL AGREE. Still . . . we have much news to share and progress to report.

No bells or whistles.

Just SO. MUCH. GOOD.

1

GRANTS. Good works keep going. Since we last reported, the Community Foundation has made

663 grants, deploying a total of

$2,438,723 to support so many worthwhile programs, projects and initiatives, both in 2019 and continuing in this unprecedented year.

Those charitable dollars are making a real impact, providing so much support for those in need, helping kids in our local schools, protecting our rivers, lakes and streams, expanding access to recreational and arts and cultural activities, keeping us safe and healthy, and so much more.

Since our inception in 1993, the Community Foundation has disbursed more than

$29,989,000 —an impressive total

in a county of only 26,000 residents.

For a co mple te l i st o f t h i s y ea r ’ s g r a n ts, g o to : w w w.c3f.o r g/g r a n ts/ r ec en t- g r a n ts

2

SOME CHANGE IS GOOD. Just as the world is changing quickly, WE’VE ALSO HAD TO BE FLEXIBLE AND AGILE IN HOW WE WORK AND MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR REGION. Although we are still doing a lot of things the same at the Community Foundation—supporting nonprofit organizations, connecting donors with area needs, and creating innovative solutions for local challenges—we are also doing a lot of things differently.

We’ve adjusted our grant schedule to make it easier for nonprofits to apply and access helpful resources. We’ve restructured our scholarship programs to provide ongoing support to students. We listened to local nonprofits and added an Operational Support grant cycle to help them keep the doors open and their services intact during this challenging time. We’ve started a new online newsletter, and we’ve ramped up our social media presence to keep you engaged and informed.

Every change we’ve made helped the Community Foundation become even more flexible and nimble, important attributes for our organization today, and tomorrow.

WE HOPE YOU’LL AGREE, SOME CHANGE IS GOOD.

3

GIFTS. WHILE THE WORLD HAS CHANGED IN COUNTLESS WAYS, Y O U R G I V I N G S P I R I T HASN’T CHANGED. Your generosity is more evident now than ever. As 2019 fades into the past and the uncertainty of 2020 remains,

1421 of

you chose to make a charitable contribution to the Community Foundation. Your gifts since our last update have totaled

3,308,646. In a time when many were suffering, you chose to support. Yet another example of SO. MUCH. GOOD.

T h a n k yo u .

4

FUNDS. With

267 different funds, the Community Foundation

offers multiple ways to support the place you call home, providing flexible grant-making dollars to keep Charlevoix County moving forward. Started by individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits, these funds provide vehicles for doing good in our community.

Central to the future of Charlevoix County is the Community Endowment Fund. When you give to the Community Endowment, your gift combines with others, creating a longterm and flexible resource for support. As the endowment grows over time, the Community Foundation’s ability to apply resources where they are needed the most when they are needed the most, increases.

Anyone can have a lasting impact on Charlevoix County, helping our communities become stronger, healthier, more vibrant, and ready for the future.

Fo r a co mple te l i st o f o u r f u n d s, g o to : www.c3f.o r g/a l l-a b o u t- g i v i n g/ w h er e-to - g i ve/

5

FINANCES. Gifts to the Community Foundation are stewarded carefully.

The endowment is professionally managed to prioritize long-term strategies for growth and stability. Stability is a challenge in a time when the only thing certain about the market is uncertainty. Our diverse investment strategies and diligent oversight practices have supported us through the tough times, helping the Community Foundation grow assets

$45,129,859 through September 30, 2020, as compared to assets of $39,879,003 at the same of

point in 2019.

To r e v ie w o u r au d i t ed f i na n c i a l stat em e nts an d F e d e r al Fo r m 9 9 0, v i s i t u s at : w w w.c3f.o r g/a b o u t- u s/ f i na n c i a ls -a n d - n oti c es

6

TRUSTEES and STAFF. TRUSTEES

Josette Lory, Chair Don Jess, Vice Chair Fred Malpass, Secretary Lori Meeder, Treasurer Perry Irish Hodgson, Past Chair Jennifer Boyer Carol Burton Scott Diller John Doskoch Bob Hoffman Evelyn Howell Bill Lorne Tim Manchester Monica Peck Tami Vincent

2019 YAC MEMBERS Ben Lentz, President Aubrie Sparks, Vice President Brooklyn Fitzpatrick, Secretary Nathan Newman, Treasurer Elsie Burton Harper Blaaauw-Hara Jayde Fazio Anna Haf Mailey Hamilton Kate Klinger Paige Pemble Daniel Powers Elisha Richards Sarah Sterling Hannah Thumser Eden Vrondran

STAFF R.A. “Chip” Hansen Jr., President Sara Ward, Director of Development Laura Hansen, Accountant Mishelle Shooks, Grants and Youth Advancement Ashley Cousens, Grants and Communications

7

LOOKING AHEAD.

We don’t know what the future will hold.

But thanks to your foresight, we know it will be bright.

Even if things go awry in our economy, the foundation that’s been built for more than a quarter of a century will keep providing sources of support for our communities.

As more and more of you choose to GIVE TODAY and PLAN

FOR THE FUTURE, you are HELPING OUR COMMUNITY now, while BUILDING LEGACIES that will last.

Each year, we add new members to our Legacy Society—those of you who commit to supporting the causes you care about through your will or estate plan. We’re grateful.

Because of you, the Community Foundation will be at the intersection of resources and opportunities for years to come.

8

MOVING FORWARD. As we begin our 29th year, we’re filled with optimism and hope.

Your generosity has built a resourceful and forward-thinking Community Foundation that will work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all people in Charlevoix County, forever.

Here’s what we do:

n G ather gifts of all sizes, from a variety of donors n Build a permanent endowment to serve our area n Address a broad range of local issues and community needs through grantmaking n Help donors carry out their philanthropic goals n Provide guidance and leadership on matters of community concern n Encourage civic involvement, civil discourse, invite collaboration, and advocate for the common good

This is your Community Foundation.

Together, we can do

SO. MUCH. GOOD.

301 WATER STREET PO BOX 718 EAST JORDAN, MI 49727 WWW.C3F.ORG PHONE: 231-536-2440 FAX: 231-536-2640 EMAIL: INFO@C3F.ORG