Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation

For good. For ever.

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.

Community Foundation Reaches $1 Million Goal for Community Impact

Mt. Pleasant, MI – To celebrate the organization’s 25th anniversary in 2015, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation challenged community members to add $1 million to permanent endowment funds focused on community impact. During a recent meeting, the Board of Trustees celebrated the final tally of gifts and pledges made - $1,016,000.19.

More than 500 individuals and businesses stepped up to accomplish the ambitious goal. During the appeal, 14 new community impact funds were started—named for families and local companies. Many donors contributed to existing community impact funds, further building community capital to meet the needs of future generations.

Community impact funds are flexible endowments not tied to a single cause. Assets are invested and only a portion (currently 4%) is available each year. Annual grantmaking resources from community impact funds can be used to address significant and emergent issues throughout Isabella County as things change.

“Community impact funds allow the Foundation the flexibility to meet needs that are not met through other endowments,” said Jan Strickler, co-chair of the anniversary appeal. “Because of these generous gifts, we’ll have around $40,000 more every year to help organizations with the best ideas to improve our community.”

“Grants could be made for education one year, and support health care or transportation the next,” added co-chair Bill Strickler. “This community resource is forever, and we’re proud so many community members wanted to be part of it.”

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity that serves as the center of philanthropy in Isabella County. Since 1990, more than $4.5 million has been awarded in local grants and scholarships, all while maintaining the value of every endowment gift ever received.