Celebrating Community Foundations Week

Celebrating Community Foundations Week in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties - Guest Commentary

We think it is pretty remarkable that in a community of our size in northern Michigan, we now have $80 million in charitable resources to improve the quality of life in our corner of the world. The Charlevoix County Community Foundation and the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation exist to do just that – apply those charitable resources to make a positive difference in Charlevoix and Emmet counties along with our nonprofit partners, local schools, and area cities.  Since the community foundations were established in 1992, grants have totaled more than $50 million.

That kind of charitable investment was possible because of early leaders who believed that local philanthropy wasn’t just for Grand Rapids or Ann Arbor or Kalamazoo, but for Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, East Jordan, and Petoskey, too.  These leaders and the board members who followed them deserve our community’s thanks.

We would also like to recognize donors who believe that giving together is more powerful than giving alone, and that with the power of endowment, those gifts can keep giving in greater amounts over time.  Those donors are your friends, neighbors, colleagues, and acquaintances.  They all share a love of this place.

Individuals and couples who wish to leave a lasting legacy right here in northern Michigan have included their community foundation in their estate plans.  This meaningful type of gift will provide for our communities in the future and will make a difference for generations to come.

As we celebrate National Community Foundation Week, we thank the thousands of individuals, couples, families, businesses, and organizations who have made the good work of your local community foundations possible.  We encourage you to learn more about how you can enhance the quality of life in Charlevoix and Emmet counties through the Charlevoix County Community Foundation and the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.   Becoming involved is simple; the results are remarkable.

Sincerely,

Chip Hansen                                                    David Jones                                                                

Charlevoix County                                           Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area

Community Foundation                                  Community Foundation