Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation

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.

Filtering by Author: Jaimie Capen-Cascaddan

Community Foundation Awards $161,850 in Scholarships to Local Students

April 28, 2023  /  Jaimie Capen-Cascaddan

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation (MPACF) will award 114 scholarships totaling more than $161,500 to local students during a Scholarship Celebration on June 1, 2023. The endowment funds generating these scholarships were established by individuals, businesses, and organizations that want to help local students pursue their educational goals. Each scholarship is unique and reflects the values and interests of those who established it. Most of the scholarships support high school students planning to attend an accredited college, university or trade school in the fall.

 During the last decade, over one million dollars have been awarded in scholarships. The Foundation would like to thank the individuals, businesses and organizations who make these opportunities available. Without their support it wouldn’t be possible to impact more than 100 students each year. The Foundation would also like to thank each and every student for applying and a special thank you to the 93 volunteers who helped review over 1,000 scholarship applications.

 For more information, or to support any of the endowment funds producing these scholarships, contact Alysha Pasquali, CEO, at (989) 773-7322 or visit www.mpacf.org.

 The 2023 Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation Scholarship Recipients are:

Adriana Acles J. Paul and Mary Ellen Janes Scholarship

Hadyn Armstrong Thomas W. Lavoie Memorial Scholarship

Makenna Bailey Isabella County Retired School Personnel Scholarship

Gracelynn Beeg J. Gavin Bradley Culinary/Hospitality Scholarship

Elizabeth Beltinck Keisha Y. Brown Angel Wings Scholarship

Connor Bendele Jim Hartman Study Abroad Scholarship

Spencer Bendele Shepherd Public School Scholarship

James Bigard John D. and Judith M. Williams Scholarship

Miriam Brinks Isabella Community Credit Union Members' Scholarship

Angel Brown Keisha Y. Brown Angel Wings Scholarship

Emily Bunker Susan K. and Douglas E. Dodge Scholarship

Lily Burkhart Mercantile Bank of Michigan Scholarship

Hailey Burrows Class of 1965 Mt. Pleasant High School Scholarship

Emma Carlson Isabella Bank Scholarship

Rylee Carncross Isabella Bank Scholarship

Liliana Catrell Mercantile Bank of Michigan Scholarship

Quincie Cheeney Herbert H. Lueth Scholarship

Jacques Chercover Christopher John Andera Memorial Scholarship

Logan Chilman Feight Family Business Scholarship

Kaitlyn Cloutier Zonta Club of Mt. Pleasant Scholarship

Jack Connors Mt. Pleasant High School Class of 1959 Scholarship

Catherine Courtright Earl G. Hartman, Sr. & Caroline Millar Hartman Scholarship

Lily Danielski Dr. Thomas M. & Jayne Keating Scholarship

Olivia Davidson Isabella Bank Scholarship

Lily Deja Mercantile Bank of Michigan Scholarship

Zackary DeLong Donna J. and W. Larry Collins/GFWC Scholarship

Zackary DeLong Kristopher Walden "Waldo" Arts Scholarship

Charles Doyle Bruce William Wood Memorial Scholarship

Jackson Doyle Isabella Bank Scholarship

Samantha Durfee Watson Family Scholarship

Abbie Dziuk Gary Moe Memorial Scholarship

Natalie Eagen Herbert H. Lueth Scholarship

Timothy Eberhart Isabella Bank Scholarship

Gabriel Fanning Nancy Carey Memorial Scholarship

Matthew Farmer Herbert H. Lueth Scholarship

Lukas Fischer Richard C. Dubay Memorial Scholarship

Jolie Fisher Governor John Engler Scholarship

Grace Flaherty Ganiard History Project Scholarship

Justin Flannery Shepherd Football Scholarship

Jackson Fox Robert F. Murray & Co. CPA's Scholarship

Aubree Garcia James R. Hodgins Memorial Scholarship

Jenna Gates Jeff and Roy Spencer Scholarship

Ellie Giegling Kenneth & Hilda Schmeck Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Mikehlah Gimmey Emerson W. and Marie K. Green Scholarship

Audree Goffnett James R. Hodgins Memorial Scholarship

Lily Gouin Shepherd Public School Scholarship

Matilda Graham James D. and Karen A. McConnell Family Scholarship

Sally Graham Eckersley Scholarship

Karla Harman Maness Family Scholarship

Elandra Himebaugh Nolan D. Stilgenbauer Agricultural Scholarship

Josiah Howell Martin Family Scholarship

Ainslee Humphreys Earl G. Hartman, Sr. & Caroline Millar Hartman Scholarship

Hailey Jablonski-Saenz McGuirk Ganiard West Side School Scholarship

Carson Jarman Matthew J. Boles Memorial Scholarship

Jonathan Jarrard Harold & Marie Krapohl Scholarship

Jonathan Jarrard supercarguy Scholarship

Greenlee Jones George and Frances P. Rouman Mental Health Education Scholarship

Rose Kothra Goenner Family Scholarship

Lillian Laney Carol Huber Konwinski and Jerel Konwinski Scholarship

Anna Lator Carolynn Cosan Memorial Scholarship

Ruth Lehr Heydenburg Family Scholarship

Gabrial Lipar Sue Ann Watters Music Scholarship

Natalie Lloyd Shepherd Public School Scholarship

Lily Lobert Isabella Bank Scholarship

Kaylee Locke Martin Family Scholarship

Cameron Lynch Aaron Jacob Latham Memorial Scholarship

Yoshiya Marshall Isabella Community Credit Union Members' Scholarship

Elizabeth Maxon Dr. Joyce Ann Carter Memorial Scholarship

Kaylor McIntosh Ganiard History Project Scholarship

Zachary Meyers Michael And Dianne Morey Manufacturing Skilled Trades Scholarship

Grant Minthorn Konwinski Construction Scholarship

Gabrielle Moutsatson Matthew J. Boles Memorial Scholarship

Madison Munley Garland-Schilling Scholarship

Erica Narr Isabella Bank Scholarship

Chinenye Ogoko Maness Family Scholarship

Rachel Olivieri Art Scholarship

Tailor Onstott Matthew S. Sharrar Memorial Scholarship

Matt Oswald Scottie Miller Memorial Special Education Scholarship

Brandon Peasley Shirley Lemorie Memorial Scholarship

Logan Peterson Gene A. Kunst Gold Star Family Scholarship

Eliza Pieratt Isabella Bank Scholarship

Anna Plum Myler Family Scholarship

Abbigail Powell Lemmer Family Scholarship

Samuel Powell Rotary Scholarship

Hillary Prout Blystone & Bailey CPAs Scholarship

Zoe Reddick John P. & Ann S. Jensen Scholarship

Olivia Regenfuss Alan and Kathy Johns Scholarship

Samantha Reid Leonard E. and Louise A. Plachta Scholarship

Isaiah Reihl Norval Morey Leadership Scholarship

Sophia Reilly McGuirk Ganiard West Side School Scholarship

Collin Robinson Isabella Community Credit Union Members' Scholarship

Tyler Rupe Isabella Bank Scholarship

Alexandra Russell Ganiard History Project Scholarship

Archita Saraiya Rotary Scholarship

Katelyn Schell Stokes Elementary Education Scholarship

Delaney Scully Brenda Echelbarger Memorial Scholarship

Sawyer Scully Jeffrey Vernon Memorial Scholarship

Samantha Seger Arnold and Margaret Sowmick Memorial Scholarship

Casey Sexton Paul Moeggenberg Family Youth Agricultural Scholarship

Paige Sian Denison Family Scholarship

Olivia Sineway Laura Clemons Salisbury Scholarship

Rylee Sisco Keisha Y. Brown Angel Wings Scholarship

Madison Stanton Carolynn Cosan Memorial Scholarship

Erin Stevens C. Jane (Dubay) and Dwight D. Dodge Memorial Scholarship

Lilliana Stilwell Herbert H. Lueth Scholarship

Nora Toogood Isabella Bank Scholarship

Ayden Totten Herbert H. Lueth Scholarship

Kyia Tunder Mercantile Bank of Michigan Scholarship

Isaak Vogel Jason Parrott Scholarship

Rojie Wang Robert A. & Catherine A. Janson Scholarship

Ariel Warner Isabella Bank Scholarship

Keelin Wheaton Mt. Pleasant High School Class of 1959 Scholarship

Paige Wilson Harry E. Tope Memorial Aviation Scholarship

Alexys Zeien Phyllis A. Heinze Mathematics Education Scholarship

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation 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.

categories / Scholarship

Foundation seeks Administrative Officer

March 30, 2023  /  Jaimie Capen-Cascaddan

Foundation seeks Administrative Officer

Are you a highly organized and motivated person with a background in business or bookkeeping?  The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation seeks a motivated team member with strong organizational skills, with a knowledge of basic computer, bookkeeping and office practice skills to join their team.

Employment Opportunity: Administrative Officer/full-time/Exempt

The Administrative Officer is the initial point of contact with the public at the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.  This person needs to have a knowledge of office systems, computer use and be people oriented to ensure the smooth operations of the foundation’s office.

The Administrative Officer is the office manager of the Foundation offices.  This person maintains all donor and gift records using CommunitySuite software, including correspondence with donors, makes bank deposits, pays invoices, works with the external accountant on financial reports, assists with the annual audit, attends Board and Committee meetings, assists with the grantmaking process and event programs, trains and works with volunteer reception ambassadors and student interns, coordinates building operations and maintenance and ensures the orderly overall operation of the Foundation.

Qualifications include: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in office systems and operations. 

Wage range: $42,000-$50,000, plus paid time off, health care, group life insurance and retirement benefit options.

Interested? Please email Alysha Pasquali, CEO/COO at apasquali@mpacf.org with “Administrative Officer” in the subject line. Include 1) resume, 2) cover letter addressing relevant experience and why you are interested in this position.

MPACF is an equal opportunity employer.

Give Local Isabella fundraising event set for May 2, 2023

March 16, 2023  /  Jaimie Capen-Cascaddan

Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation announces 24-hour charitable giving event

MT. PLEASANT, MICH.— Give Local Isabella returns on May 2, 2023 engaging community members in one day of fundraising for their favorite local charitable organizations. The event, hosted by Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, offers organizations the opportunity to raise dollars in a dynamic, digital format while also expanding community interest in their missions.

Give Local Isabella focuses on endowments. Organizations need endowed funds to serve community needs long into the future. Organizations with endowments held by the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation are eligible to participate in Give Local Isabella.

“Give Local Isabella focuses our community for one day on a common cause – our community’s future,” said Steve Pung, development chair of the Community Foundation Board of Trustees. “Anyone can be a philanthropist when we all work together.”

The Chippewa Watershed Conservancy is one of the organizations that has participated in Give Local Isabella since its inception in 2021.

“The Conservancy exists to protect and steward lands in perpetuity,” Executive Director Mike LeValley said. “Our endowment funds are an important part of ensuring future generations can enjoy clean water, open spaces and wildlife habitats that we enjoy today.”

“In addition to raising dollars directly, organizations can take part in fun, friendly competitions for matching gifts,” Foundation Program Officer Jaimie Capen-Cascaddan said. “It’s exciting to see the dollar amounts increase in real time throughout the day knowing our community will benefit in the long run.”

Renaissance Public School Academy has been a top fundraiser for the past two Give Local Isabella campaigns. Executive Director Lisa Bergman encourages every eligible organization to get involved.

“It’s great team building, it raises awareness of your organization, and it’s a super fun way to expand your endowment,” Bergman said. 

Organizers hope to surpass the success of Give Local Isabella 2022 when community members gave more than $82,000 to benefit 21 local organizations. For more information about Give Local Isabella, contact the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation at 989-773-7322.

Pasquali named CEO of Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation

March 03, 2023  /  Jaimie Capen-Cascaddan

With a strong background in fundraising, marketing and nonprofit organizations, Alysha Pasquali has been named Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.

Alysha Pasquali, CEO/COO of MPACF

In this role, Pasquali will lead the Foundation in its continued growth as a focal point in local philanthropy and catalyst for positive impact on all citizens of Isabella County.

“Alysha has the expertise, relationships and passion for supporting others that are needed to propel the Foundation and community forward,” MPACF Board President Marcie Otteman said. “She is a smart, energetic and engaging leader who brings people together to build momentum.”

Pasquali has been director of strategic philanthropy at WCMU Public Media since 2016. She also has been director of development for Central Michigan University libraries and College of Business Administration, and assistant director of the Chippewa Athletic Fund. She has worked for Bolger and Battle Marketing Communications in Midland and Midland Center for the Arts.

“Mt. Pleasant, Isabella County and the surrounding area have shaped who I am and allowed me to grow since I was in high school here,” Pasquali said. “Many opportunities have been given to me, and I can’t wait to create and expand opportunities for others, so they, too, can grow in their own unique ways.

“I love to have conversations with people about the impact they want to create. I love to hear their ideas and then help make them happen,” she said. “People tell me I’m open, genuine and trustworthy — traits that will be easy to share because I believe so much in the Foundation, its donors, staff and board, and our community and residents.”

She has been well aware of the Foundation as her father, Jay Anders, retired CEO of Isabella Community Credit Union, served on its Board of Trustees. She and her husband, attorney Mark Pasquali, are donors to the Foundation.

“We both believe in giving back. Mark has a caring heart and focuses his practice on the elderly members of our community and the issues they face as they age. This is who we are.”

Most recently, the couple paid off lunch balances for students in Mt. Pleasant schools and in L’anse, in the Upper Peninsula, where Mark originally is from. Alysha has been president of the Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant and received the Eagle Award from the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce in 2021. Mark is president of the Isabella County Bar Association.

Pasquali, three staff members and a 25-member Board of Trustees collaborate to support the establishment and use of permanently endowed funds from individual, business and organizational donors. The Foundation uses investment earnings from more than 300 funds — a number that grows annually — to address local needs through grant making. It also partners with other organizations to provide leadership on key community issues. 

In 2022, MPACF awarded more than $1.1 million in grants and scholarships.

Pasquali will be the Foundation’s sixth leader since it was formed 33 years ago, in 1990. She replaces Amanda Schafer, who stepped down from the CEO/COO position in November after leading the Foundation for 13 years.

“Alysha cares deeply about people and the community,” said Interim CEO Bob Wheeler, who was one of the founding members of the Foundation. “She is a great fit for carrying on the legacy of the Foundation and forging a tremendous future for it. I am delighted and totally confident to be leaving it in her hands.”

In addition to being active throughout the community, Alysha and Mark Pasquali are proud parents of a dog named Winston, aka Peanut, and two cats: Lidia Bastianich, named after the Italian-American celebrity TV chef, and Aldena Frankalucci, named after Mark’s great aunt.

Community Foundation Welcomes New Trustees

February 02, 2023  /  Jaimie Capen-Cascaddan

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of four new trustees to its Board: Erin Ludwig, Scott Mertes, Tina Powell and Marilyn Sweeney.

Erin Ludwig is a financial advisor with Edward Jones. After receiving a bachelor's degree from CMU in 2004, she spent 13 years in the marketing and telecommunications industry before moving to Edward Jones. She holds her series 7 and series 66 registrations as well as life, health and annuities licenses. Erin serves as a board member for Beal City Public Schools and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid Michigan; chair of the Mid Michigan College Foundation board; adult mentor for the Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee; and volunteers at her daughter's school. Erin is married to Phil Ludwig and is the proud mother to Sophie and Delia.

"After being involved with the Foundation in various roles, most recently with YAC, I am excited to expand my role to the MPACF Board. I am a strong believer that service to others is what we are put on this earth to do. I look forward to continuing to serve the mid-Michigan area and set an example of community service and philanthropy not only for my daughters, but for all area youth," Ludwig said.

Scott Mertes is Provost at Mid Michigan College, where he has worked since 2005. He serves as president of Art Reach and is on the boards of Michigan Center for Student Success, the Alden B. Dow Museum, Epicenter, Clare Area Chamber of Commerce and the Midland District School Improvement Committee. Mertes has held adjunct faculty appointments at Walden University and Central Michigan University and is a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission. He was elected as the youngest president of the Midwest Cooperative Education and Internship Association. Mertes earned his bachelor’s degree from Winona State University in Minnesota, his master’s degree from the University of Iowa, and his Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska. He has been married to Michelle for 26 years; their daughter Emma is a high school senior.

“The Mt. Pleasant community has always held a special place in our hearts, having lived and/or worked here for over 25 years. I am honored to join the MPACF Board and excited to be part of an organization that goes above and beyond in supporting area residents in meeting their goals and needs and improving our community as a whole,” Mertes said.

Tina Powell was born and raised in Isabella County, graduating from Shepherd High School and earning an accounting degree from CMU in 1990 and her CPA license in 1995. She worked for seven years at Blystone & Bailey, CPAs and for the last 24 years has been at RFM Group (formerly Robert F. Murray & Co. CPAs), where she is a partner and the audit manager. Tina raised her children in Beal City and now lives at Lake Isabella.  Tina serves on the boards of the Pardee Cancer Treatment Fund of Isabella County, Community Cancer Services, Isabella Community Credit Union, as well as on the Community Foundation finance committee. 

“The Community Foundation helps so many individuals directly and through non-profits. It fits with my passion to help others. I am excited to lend my hand now, knowing the legacy of the MPACF will go on forever,” Powell said.

Marilyn Sweeney graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Master’s Degree in School Administration from CMU. She’s a retired educator from Mt. Pleasant Public Schools. Following retirement, she spent time as a substitute at the Chippewa River District Library System. She was married to James Sweeney, a retired member of the Isabella County Sheriff's Department, for 45 years. Her involvement with the Community Foundation began with the Women's Initiative Committee. She serves on the Women's Initiative Advisory Board and the grant review and scholarship committees.

 “The Foundation has had so many positive impacts on the development of our community. I am pleased to be able to participate in its future," Sweeney said.

 The new board members replace outgoing directors Bob Wheeler, Nancy Ridley and Damon Brown; Cheryl Gaudard’s position is being filled as well, as she moves into the role of past president.

Wheeler had a 39-year career in local banking, including at Chemical Bank, Firstbank and Mercantile Bank of Michigan, from which he retired in 2016 as senior vice president. He went on to work at Mt. Pleasant Abstract & Title, retiring again in 2021. Wheeler helped create the Community Foundation in 1990 and was its longest-serving trustee.

Ridley was on the board 13 years. She began her career in finance at CMU. She spent 17 years as the City of Mt. Pleasant’s finance director and in 2014 was appointed city manager, a role she filled until retiring in 2021. She will continue on the Foundation’s Grant Review Committee.

Brown, who joined the board in 2021, is Vice President for Student Affairs/Chief Diversity Officer at Alma College and previously worked at CMU. He established and operates the Keisha Y. Brown Angel Wings Fund, which is named for his late wife and provides resources and support to individuals and families battling cancer.

Gaudard completed her year as president of the Foundation in December after serving as a trustee for 9 years. Gaudard is retired from Mercantile Bank of Michigan as Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer, is a member of the Blanchard Auxiliary and served as an active member of the Mt. Pleasant Oilers Athletic Boosters.

The four new trustees join 21 other community members with diverse professional expertise and organizational experience. 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, please visit www.mpacf.org.

Community Foundation names Wheeler interim CEO

December 12, 2022  /  Jaimie Capen-Cascaddan

Robert Wheeler, a respected, long-time community and business leader, has been named interim chief executive and operating officer of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.

He will begin working with donors and overseeing operations immediately, while outgoing CEO/COO Amanda Schafer wraps up her transition efforts by the end of the month.

Wheeler had a 39-year career in local banking, including with Chemical Bank, Firstbank and Mercantile Bank, from which he retired in 2016 as senior vice president. He went on to work at Mt. Pleasant Abstract & Title, retiring a second time in 2021.

Wheeler helped create the Community Foundation in 1990 and is its longest-serving trustee. He will step down from that role at the end of December, having served 32 years.

“Bob has boundless compassion for our community and for the Foundation,” Board Chair Cheryl Gaudard said. “He has stepped forward with his characteristic benevolence, accepting this role yet refusing compensation for it.”

Wheeler and his wife, Nancy, administrative officer of the MPACF, have an endowed fund through the Foundation in memory of their son, Andy, and another that supports the Boy Scouts of America.

Wheeler was named Mt. Pleasant’s Citizen of the Year in 2012, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, George Wheeler (1967 recipient), and stepgrandfather, Charles Anspach (1976 recipient). He is an active member and past president of the Mt. Pleasant Rotary Club and has served on numerous other local nonprofit boards.

Marcie Otteman, who begins as Foundation board chair in January, said Wheeler was a unanimous choice for the interim role. “Our donors hold Bob in high regard, and he clearly values the incredible impact they make in our community. Amanda has nurtured tremendous growth in Foundation endowments, and Bob has the leadership, connections and will to continue that,” Otteman said.

Schafer announced her resignation last month. During her 13 years with the Foundation, it grew to surpass $30 million in assets. Since its creation in 1990, the MPACF has awarded more than $10 million in grants and scholarships — including $1.1 million this year.

“I want to thank Amanda for all of her efforts,” Wheeler said. “It is an honor to continue the momentum and to help more residents leave a legacy that will benefit our community forever.

“This foundation, and the good it does, is exactly what we envisioned in 1990,” he said. “The people and businesses of Mt. Pleasant are incredibly generous. And whether their gifts are large or small, they combine to fuel extraordinary, cumulative impact.”

A search for the next CEO is underway; a job posting can be found on the Foundation website.

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation 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.