News & Events

At their annual meeting on June 15, the members of Fremont Area Community Foundation elected two new trustees to the Community Foundation board.

William Leaver and Peggy Rossler were elected to join 13 other trustees who guide the Community Foundation’s operations, strategic direction, and grant allocations.

Leaver grew up in Fremont and had a 40-year career in hospital administration. He retired as president and CEO of UnityPoint Health in Iowa and he and his wife Jeanne returned to Newaygo County. They share an interest in supporting vulnerable families and helping to raise local people out of poverty.

Leaver noted that involvement in the Community Foundation allows him to build on his family’s efforts in a more organized way.

“I see the opportunity through Fremont Area Community Foundation,” said Leaver. “I have always been impressed by the effect the Community Foundation has on the broader community. I want to contribute in a positive way and to share my expertise. My goal is to be supportive in a way that’s helpful and moves the organization forward.”

Rossler came to Newaygo County in the early 1980s when her husband took a job as a school administrator in White Cloud. They raised their three sons in the area and Rossler worked in special education for Newaygo schools. She later worked as a teacher and consultant for West Shore Educational Service District.

“I have a heart for education, particularly for early and special education,” said Rossler, who will also serve on the Amazing X Charitable Trust board. “I am particularly interested in supporting families with young children as they provide opportunities to develop early literacy skills.”

Added Rossler, “I’m very honored and very happy to be part of this organization I’ve respected for so long. I look forward to having a voice to make a positive impact in all of our communities in Newaygo County.”

Leaver and Rossler fill vacancies left by retiring trustees Dr. Robert Clouse and William Johnson.

“We are so grateful for the years of faithful service given to the Community Foundation by our departing trustees,” said Carla Roberts, FACF president and CEO. “And we are excited to welcome Peggy and William. Their experience, expertise, and commitment to Newaygo County will be great additions to our board.”

Board officers were also elected at the annual business meeting. Lindsay Hager will continue as chair, and Cathy Kissinger will continue to serve as vice chair. William Alsover was elected as treasurer, and Lola Harmon-Ramsey will be secretary.

Local residents looking to become more involved in their community are invited to Nonprofit Speed Dating on May 16 at the Stone Lodge in Fremont.

Through a series of informal chats with nonprofit organizations in a fun atmosphere, individuals will get a better picture of what each nonprofit does and where their personal skills and talents might be needed most.

Refreshments will be provided and attendees will rotate among tables staffed by representatives from a variety of local nonprofits. They will learn more about the organizations’ goals and needs and how their missions and priorities may match up.

The free event is hosted by Fremont Area Community Foundation in partnership with the Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University. It will be a great opportunity for anyone who is curious about local nonprofits and what they do, as well as for anyone thinking about serving on a nonprofit board or committee, now or in the future.

Nonprofit Speed Dating will be held Tuesday, May 16 from 5-7 p.m. at the Stone Lodge in Fremont. For more information and to RSVP, visit facommunityfoundation.org/events or call 231.924.5350.

Working with multiple regional partners, the Community Foundation recently commissioned a study of veteran services in our area, specifically Michigan Prosperity Region 4A.

The study was conducted by the Altarum Institute—a nonprofit health systems research and consulting organization—and involved interviews with veterans and service providers to get a true picture of what services are available for local veterans, how veterans access those services, and what gaps exist.

The study was funded by the Community Foundation and local partners in Osceola, Mecosta, Lake, Oceana, and Mason counties.

Results showed that while there are many resources available for veterans in our community, individuals and organizations are not always aware of them. In order to connect veterans to services, work has begun to form a Veterans Community Action Team for our region. A major responsibility of the team will be to create an online platform to allow service providers to quickly connect veterans and their families to a wide array of services and resources.

You can read the full survey report here.

For more information, contact Maria Gonzalez at 231.924.5350.

Serving on a nonprofit organization’s board or one of its committees is a meaningful way to make a difference in your community. Newaygo County nonprofits are waiting for your talents, your leadership, and your passion!

Join us to learn what serving on a nonprofit board is all about at a free Introduction to Nonprofit Board Service seminar. You’ll learn more about:

• Roles and responsibilities of board members
• Nonprofit fundraising, financial management, and board structures
• How your skills and talents can help strengthen local nonprofits

Choose from one of four dates and locations:

• March 2 in Fremont
• March 14 in White Cloud
• March 23 in Grant
• April 19 in Newaygo. This seminar will be held 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and will include lunch.

You don’t have to be ready to make a commitment; just come and learn! Then, in May, you’ll have the opportunity to attend a “nonprofit speed dating” event where you can connect with local organizations who could use your skills and talents.

For more details and to register, visit facommunityfoundation.org/events.

These seminars are part of the 2017 Leadership Series. Working with the Johnson Center for Philanthropy, our goal in 2017 is to identify and train a new wave of people willing to serve on our local nonprofit, church, township, service club, and other community boards. The tradition of strong volunteer boards and committees is uniquely American and is key to making Newaygo County one of the most vibrant rural counties in Michigan.

Recently the Newaygo County Workforce Development Task Force commissioned a report from Talent 2025 to shine a light on the current state of our local workforce.

The task force was formed to address our county’s declining participation in the workforce as well as employee development and retention. Task force members include Fremont Area Community Foundation, Michigan Works! West Central, Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency, Newaygo County Economic Development Office in association with The Right Place, TrueNorth, and United Way of the Lakeshore-Newaygo County.

The Talent 2025 report was an important step in the task force’s early work to examine data on local employment and the workforce. The report revealed key findings about our economy, the local labor force, and community assets.

Based on this research, the task force is now developing an approach to engage the business community as a partner in implementing solutions to help people become successful in the workforce and to fulfill the talent needs of local employers.

“Our first role was the identification of our current status,” said Mark Guzniczak, business development coordinator with NCEDO and The Right Place. “And our second is to develop programming, connections, and relationships to work together to fill the gaps.”

Read the full Talent 2025 report here.

The tradition of strong volunteer boards and committees is uniquely American and is key to making Newaygo County one of the most vibrant rural counties in Michigan.

This coming year, the Community Foundation, in partnership with the Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University, will identify and train a new wave of people willing to serve on our local nonprofit, church, township, service club, and other community boards.

In February and April of 2017, the Johnson Center will provide specialized board training for those inspired to serve and who possess a passion for improving our community. The program will culminate with an event aimed at pairing newly trained community volunteers with the nonprofits and organizations in need of their leadership.

In addition, the Johnson Center will lead a coaching series for current leaders of nonprofit boards. Through three sessions, local board chairpersons will gain insights into addressing their organizations’ toughest challenges and enhance their roles to lead effectively. The first coaching session is planned for January.

To learn more, or to express your interest in participating, call Mark Petz, special projects coordinator, at 231.924.5350 or email info@facommunityfoundation.org.

The Community Foundation has welcomed four new staff members this fall, and we’re excited to introduce them to you! These awesome people will help round out our administration, community investment, and philanthropic services teams.

Katie Boven joins us as an administrative assistant. You might talk to her when you call in or see her at our front desk in the mornings. Katie previously worked as a legal assistant for a local law office where she handled a variety of office duties including drafting correspondence, scheduling, and reception. Katie has lived in the area for six years and has a bachelor’s degree in business from Western Michigan University.

Nicole D’Arcy is our newest program officer and will be overseeing our poverty to prosperity grantmaking. Her experience and training provides a valuable perspective to these efforts. Most recently she was the federal grant program director with Catholic Charities West Michigan, collaborating with more than 30 partner agencies and measuring community impact, while also managing its Foster Grandparent program.

Sarah Dixon is our new philanthropic services associate. Her experience working with donors began when she served as stewardship coordinator and major gift associate at Ferris State University. At Ferris, she developed and implemented the university’s comprehensive stewardship program. She has been the community development manager at Make-a-Wish Foundation of Michigan and most recently worked with the Teaching College Dean at Ball State University.

Samantha Ruthven joins us as a program associate and will be responsible for assisting with educational programming and grantmaking. Most recently she managed the PACE/FOCUS after-school programs for TrueNorth Community Services. There she supervised Baldwin, Hesperia, and White Cloud schools’ programs and gained experience writing grant proposals, managing program budgets, and establishing community partnerships.

What is it like living in Newaygo County?
What opportunities and challenges face us as we forge a future together?
What resources can we tap into to move our community forward?

As part of our community needs assessment process this year, Fremont Area Community Foundation has been gathering data and feedback about what it’s like to live here, what challenges we face, and what can make our community’s future even brighter. During this process, community surveys were conducted in Newaygo County. Data gathered during the needs assessment process and through the community surveys was then compiled into a comprehensive report. These insights are designed to inform our decisions, help us set bold goals, and harness all our resources to make life in our community even better. View the full report here:

• Newaygo County report

We also conducted a community needs assessment in the three communities of our geographic affiliates: Lake, Mecosta, and Osceola counties. View those reports here:

• Lake County report
• Mecosta County report
• Osceola County report

Questions about any of these reports? Contact Maria Gonzalez at 231.924.5350.

After over 15 years with the Community Foundation, Mary Crisman recently announced that she will retire in early July.

Crisman, a lifelong Newaygo County resident, started with the Community Foundation in the program department before moving up to executive assistant and office manager.

“I was born and raised in Newaygo County, so I was interested in working here because I knew what great things they did for the community,” said Crisman.

Most recently, as the administrative services director, she was a member of the Community Foundation’s leadership team and was responsible for managing the office, building, and grounds. In 2014 she oversaw the Community Foundation’s office renovation, including the temporary relocation of all staff and equipment.

Crisman says that she is grateful for the opportunity her work has given her to learn even more about the people and resources in Newaygo County.

“My favorite part of working here has been the opportunities it gave me to meet a lot of really great people,” she said.

“Mary has been a vital presence at the Community Foundation for over 15 years,” said Carla Roberts, FACF president and CEO. “She has built strong relationships with board and community members while serving this organization with dedication and humor. She will be sorely missed by our organization. We are grateful for her years of service and wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement!”

In retirement, Crisman is looking forward to camping and fishing with her husband, traveling and visiting family in Florida, and maintaining her pet grooming business.

The second in a series of “Discover Your Community Days” will be held on May 20. These events are part of the Leadership Series, presented by the Community Foundation in partnership with the Fremont Area and River Country chambers of commerce.

Discover Your Community Days are designed to give current and emerging community leaders a broader base of knowledge of Newaygo County, an opportunity to network, and a better awareness of area resources. The May 20 event will focus on Newaygo County government and human services.

During the day-long program, participants will receive tours of Newaygo County government facilities, Commission on Aging, Central Dispatch, and TrueNorth Community Services. The program will also feature guest speakers from local service organizations and a panel discussion by Newaygo County judges.

Future Discover Your Community Days will focus on natural resources, outdoor amenities, health, arts, culture, and local history. The first event in the series, held last October, concentrated on business, agriculture, and education.

Registration for the May 20 event is free and includes transportation and lunch. Space is limited. Find out more and register online through Eventbrite.

On Monday, Dec. 21 President Obama signed the PATH Act, making the tax-free IRA Charitable Rollover permanent law.

How it works:

• People age 70 1/2 or older can make a gift of up to $100,000 by transferring IRA assets to Fremont Area Community Foundation. If married, each spouse can transfer up to $100,000 from their IRA.
• IRA transfer gifts can create or contribute to an unrestricted, field-of-interest, designated, or scholarship fund. Unfortunately, transfers to create or contribute to donor-advised funds are not allowed.
• These gifts become part of a permanent endowment, which means they’ll help every person in Newaygo County have a bright future for years to come.

The bill makes the tax-free IRA rollover retroactive to December 31, 2014, which means gifts transferred directly from a donor’s IRA to us at any point during 2015 will qualify as a rollover gift.

If you have questions or want to take advantage of this opportunity, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our philanthropic services team.

During the week of November 12-18, Fremont Area Community Foundation (FACF) will join more than 750 community foundations across the country in celebrating Community Foundation Week.

For over 20 years, this effort has recognized the work of community foundations and the role they play in addressing immediate community needs as well as supporting long-term solutions to persistent challenges like hunger, homelessness, unemployment, and college completion. Every state is home to at least one community foundation and while each is unique, all share a common goal of serving donors, nonprofit organizations, and the community as a whole.

“Community foundations impact lives, solve problems, and improve futures,” said Carla Roberts, Community Foundation president and CEO. “As many individuals and families in Newaygo County grapple with limited resources and a growing need for services, we are more determined than ever to bring community partners together to find innovative and effective solutions for community needs, both immediately and into the future.”

Fremont Area Community Foundation is one of 63 community foundations in Michigan and consistently ranks among the largest community foundations in the United States, with $229.5 million in total assets in 2014. The Community Foundation also hosts three geographic affiliates: Lake, Mecosta, and Osceola county community foundations.

Thanks to generations of passionate and generous donors, in 2014 FACF was able to present scholarships to more than 500 students and award more than $8 million in grants to support community and economic development, education, natural resources, nonprofit sustainability, and poverty to prosperity efforts.

Fremont Area Community Foundation recently created two new awards to help recent graduates overcome barriers to employment: the Graduation Award and the Ready2Work Award .

The Ready2Work Award is designed to help minimize the impact of barriers by providing a one-time award of $250 to students who recently obtained a certificate, credential, or college degree. To be eligible, students must have received a scholarship from the Fremont Area Community Foundation from 2010 to present, live in West Michigan, and must have earned a degree or higher credential. A copy of the certificate or diploma will be required.

“In 2011 the Community Foundation launched Goal 2025 to help local residents obtain career credentials ranging from trade certificates to college degrees,” said Carla Roberts, FACF President and CEO. “To reach this goal we have partnered with our local school districts, NC RESA, and WE CAN! Newaygo County as well as significantly increased the amount of scholarships for adult students returning to school.”

“What we are discovering is that after people finish their program or graduate, there remain basic barriers to getting employment,” added Lindsay Hager, chair of the FACF Board of Trustees. “The needs vary from having the proper tools or attire for their new trade to purchasing clothing to wear to an interview.”

Former scholarship recipients who have achieved their higher education goals but do not live in West Michigan are eligible to apply only for the $50 Graduation Award. Applications for the Ready2Work Award and Graduation Award can be completed online.

“We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our graduates,” said Roberts. “The completion of a skilled trade program, certificate program, or college degree is a tremendous investment in oneself. These awards will also allow the Community Foundation to learn about barriers graduates face as they enter the workforce as well as allow us to collect data on the impact of our scholarship program as our county works together to reach Goal 2025.”

More information about both awards can be found here.

At their annual meeting on June 4, the members of the Fremont Area Community Foundation elected two new Trustees to the Community Foundation board.

Micheal Anderson and Dr. Lori Tubbergen Clark were elected to join 13 other Trustees who guide the organization’s operations, strategic direction, and grant allocations.

Anderson is from Hesperia and is the facilities maintenance manager at North Lake Correctional Facility. He has long been active in the community, serving as a school board member and coach. He has also been a member of the Fremont Area Elderly Needs Fund board.

“I’m looking forward to serving people and learning more about all the different aspects of the Community Foundation and what they do,” said Anderson. “My hope is that when I’m all done, people can say that Micheal Anderson served with an open heart and gave back to the community.”

Lori Tubbergen Clark was born and raised in Newaygo County. She was a teacher in White Cloud and Fremont before becoming the superintendent of the Newaygo County Regional Educational Services Agency (NC RESA). She holds a PhD in program evaluation.

“I am very supportive of the Community Foundation’s direction of strategic philanthropy,” said Tubbergen Clark. “I am passionate about program evaluation and hope to bring that expertise to the board. I also like the diverse perspectives and varied backgrounds of the Trustees. I look forward to learning from them.”

Anderson and Tubbergen Clark will fill vacancies left by retiring Trustees Robert Zeldenrust and Richard Dunning. Each served on the Community Foundation board for nine years.

Carla Roberts, Community Foundation President and CEO, expressed her thanks to the retiring Trustees and welcomed the two new members who will play vital roles in the organization’s future.

“We are so grateful for the years of faithful service given to the Community Foundation by Rob and Dick,” she said. “And we are excited to welcome Micheal and Lori. Their deep knowledge of the community and their expertise will further enhance our work in Newaygo County.”

At the annual business meeting, new officers were elected: Lindsay Hager, Chair; William Johnson, Vice Chair; Cathy Kissinger, Treasurer; and Dr. Robert Clouse, Secretary.

Fremont Area Community Foundation, in partnership with the Fremont Area and River Country chambers of commerce, kicked off the 2015 Leadership Series last week. This series is designed for local professionals who are interested in honing their leadership skills, expanding their networks, and engaging in community change.

As an extension of the Community Foundation’s Community Partner Effectiveness initiative, the Leadership Series is an opportunity to provide additional learning resources for nonprofit leaders while also including the local business sector and other community leaders.

Programming began last week with the first of four free workshops. On May 5, Dave Medema of Pondera Associates presented on leading through change to two capacity crowds.

The remaining three workshops will be held at the Community Foundation and will each be offered twice: from 8:30-11 a.m. and again from 3:30-6 p.m. Workshops are free to attend but space is limited. Visit the links below for more information and to reserve your spot.

Public Speaking: How to Present Like a Pro!
May 21 | Zoe Carmichael
The fear of public speaking is often listed as the number one phobia of Americans, but how can we overcome it? This workshop will help you grow confidence and develop skills to conquer fear and develop thoughtful, organize, and tailored presentations. Both sessions of this workshop are now full.

Conflict Resolution and Mediation
September 10 | Warren Hills
Everything seems easier when people are getting along, but what happens when conflict arises? This workshop will help you develop conflict resolution skills, learn the art of mediation, and construct strategies to resolve conflict in the workplace and community.

Time Management: Managing Yourself Within the Time Available
November 5 | Dave Medema
Often we don’t need to manage time, we need to manage ourselves within the time available. This workshop will help you improve your personal relationship with time, delegate effectively, and set priorities.

Fremont Area Community Foundation has selected Maria Gonzalez as Foundation Manager to serve three affiliated foundations: Osceola County Community Foundation, Mecosta County Community Foundation, and Lake County Community Foundation. She will also support the Amazing X Charitable Trust and Elderly Needs Fund.

As Foundation Manager, Gonzalez will serve the trustees of the affiliate advisory boards and connect them to resources around strategy, development, donor relations, grant programs, and community engagement activities.

“We are excited to have Maria serve our geographic affiliates and supporting organizations,” said Carla Roberts, FACF President and CEO. “She brings great energy and attention to detail to this position. She will be an outstanding asset to Lake, Mecosta, and Osceola counties as well as the Fremont Area Community Foundation.”

Gonzalez is a graduate of Newaygo High School and holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University where she studied political science and public relations. Most recently, she worked as district representative for Senator Goeff Hansen and served for two years on the Community Foundation Board of Trustees.

“The connectivity to community is one of the things I have appreciated most about my experience so far with the Community Foundation,” said Gonzalez. “The whole staff is dedicated to moving communities forward.”

In her new position, Gonzalez hopes to enhance this same sense of connectivity with the geographic affiliates. “I most look forward to forming connected relationships with the trustees of the affiliate advisory boards, and the communities as a whole.”

Fremont Area Community Foundation recently welcomed three new members to its Board of Trustees.

Lola Harmon-Ramsey, Kent Karnemaat, and Denise Suttles were elected in June and joined 12 other Board Trustees who guide the Community Foundation’s operations, strategic direction, and grant allocations.

Lola Harmon-Ramsey is a lifelong resident of Fremont. She and her husband have two children and own Cart-Right Recycling. Growing up, her family made community involvement a priority, and Harmon-Ramsey has continued this commitment as an adult.

“It’s important to be involved and to help make change,” said Harmon-Ramsey. “If I don’t do it, who will be there for the programs and services that have helped me, my grandparents, and my kids?”

Harmon-Ramsey said she is looking forward to being part of an organization committed to helping other nonprofit organizations grow and become more sustainable. She also hopes to encourage her peers to become more involved in community philanthropy. Above all, she said, “it is an honor to be able to have a voice for the residents of Newaygo County.”

Kent Karnemaat, an owner of Karnemaat Farms, was also raised in Fremont. He and his wife chose to raise their 10 children in Fremont as well. With a deep commitment to Newaygo County’s quality of life, Karnemaat cites education and employment as two areas of special interest.

“I want to do anything I can to encourage people to get an education,” he said. “We have to make sure we have an educated, trained work force in Newaygo County.”

Serving as a Trustee was a unique way to contribute to Newaygo County. “I have been a recipient of all the benefits of living in this community,” said Karnemaat. “All good things take effort and work to get started and to keep them going. I am at a place in my life where I can help do that work.”

Denise Suttles moved from Grand Rapids to Woodland Park 15 years ago and quickly immersed herself in the community. She became a pastor at First Baptist Church of Woodland Park where she helped build an extensive youth program. She also worked with Project Focus and volunteers in local schools.

“I have a heart for youth and for breaking the generational cycle of poverty,” said Suttles, whose motivation stems from her own childhood. “I was one of those children. I can identify. It takes radical passion to change generational cycles.”

Suttles brings that passion to the Community Foundation where she is particularly excited about the developing poverty to prosperity work. “I like the focus on community and long-range goals of changing the mindset of poverty,” said Suttles. “I’m excited to be here for these changes. It’s a joy.”

All three new Trustees will play a vital role in the future of the Community Foundation.

“We are excited to welcome Lola, Kent, and Denise to the Board of Trustees,” said Carla Roberts, Community Foundation President and CEO. “Their knowledge, perspectives, and commitment to the people of Newaygo County will only serve to enhance our work in the community.”

Lynne Robinson learned about the importance of service from her parents and grandparents.

“They always looked for the positive in people,” she said. “They taught me to help find solutions, not be part of the problem.

On June 30, Lynne and her husband David were honored for a lifetime of service by receiving the Council of Michigan Foundation (CMF) Russell G. Mawby Award for Philanthropy. The award was presented at the Governor’s Service Awards event in Detroit.

Lynne, a retired elementary school teacher with 33 years of experience, completed nine years of service as a Trustee of Fremont Area Community Foundation in June of this year. She has been an active ambassador of the Community Foundation and was involved in several committees during her tenure, chairing the distribution and education committees. Under her leadership, the Community Foundation adopted the ambitious Goal 2025 and created a partnership with WE CAN! Newaygo County, the local college and career access network.

David, a retired registered nurse, is currently a board member at Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial and serves on the board of education for Grant Public Schools. He is also the vice president of the board for the Newaygo County Regional Educational Services Agency (NC RESA) and served on the academic preparation/high school graduation action team for WE CAN! Newaygo County.

The Robinsons received the Russell G. Mawby award for demonstrating a lifetime commitment to encouraging private action for the public good though the giving of time, talent, and resources.

David and Lynne’s contributions to the Grant and Newaygo County area are widespread. They include leadership in a successful campaign for a new district library in Grant, volunteering to help catalogue over 10,000 artifacts for the Newaygo County Museum and Heritage Center, and giving to numerous funds at the Fremont Area Community Foundation for two decades. The Robinsons were also active in the Community Foundation’s 2006 Hunger Initiative in cooperation with Feeding America West Michigan. This work involved volunteering at numerous mobile food pantries.

As one judge for the award said, “Lynne and Dave see a need and pitch in—we should all be so lucky to have them as neighbors!”

Carla Roberts, Community Foundation President and CEO, also praised the Robinsons.

“This award is the highest honor given by CMF each year to applaud a lifetime of giving and service,” she said. “Lynne and Dave have been tireless in their volunteerism and work to make the Community Foundation, schools, and other local nonprofits be sustainable organizations that improve the lives of Newaygo County residents.”

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CMF and the Michigan Nonprofit Association created the Russell G. Mawby Award for Philanthropy in 1995 to honor the founder of both organizations. Mawby is also the retired chairman and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The award honors Mawby’s work and philosophy in encouraging private action for the public good through philanthropy.