Home 
News
The News
MATCH DAY
Community Foundation for Mason County
Match Day Was a Great Success (more info to follow)
Match your dollars with Foundation Funds to support your favorite local nonprofits!
Where: The Ludington Area Arts Council Center
When: Thursday, June 17, 2010 8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m.
The Community Foundation for Mason County with its Fund partners is offering $100,000 in “match” money. Individual community donors, giving generously to their favorite qualifying Mason organizations, will have their donations matched by the Foundation’s Funds. Join the Foundation and your favorite nonprofits for a day of festive activities and philanthropy.
Match Day Details and Guidelines listed below.
Donations by cash, check or credit card shall be presented to the Community Foundation in the lobby of the Arts Council Center on Match Day to be logged-in. We are unable to accept donations for Match day online, by phone, or by mail due the extra cost/time involved.
1. Donations will be matched at a minimum of $0.50 to the dollar, up to $1,500 per donor ($3,000 donation=$1,500 match) until the match pool is exhausted. Gifts received after that point will be passed through to the organizations without a match. Donors may certainly give more, but only $1,500 per donor will be matched. If the pool of match dollars is not exhausted, the remainder will be allocated to qualifying donations, up to a $1.00 per $1.00 match
2. No single nonprofit shall receive more than 10% of the match dollars, BUT, a separate $1,000 prize will be awarded to the nonprofit that receives the greatest number of donations.
3. Checks should be made payable to the Community Foundation for Mason County with the name of the qualifying nonprofit in the memo line of the check.
4. Qualifying organizations are those with an endowment fund at CFMC. You will find a list of qualifying organization on our website at www.mason-foundation.org, and on the last page of this document. In recognition of these tough economic times we are intending that donations and match be used by these organizations to support programs and operations or to build their capital campaigns.
5. For donations to multiple nonprofits, a form is available to accompany your donation which lists the eligible organizations and an amount you would like to designate for each. The form is available on the CFMC website and will be available at the Arts Council Center the day of the event.
6. All donations and match dollars will be “passed through” the Community Foundation directly to the qualifying nonprofit. No fees will be deducted by the Foundation. Nonprofits will be given their “Match Day” checks at the CFMC annual dinner later this summer. Stay tuned for event details….
Match funds are provided by the Don Birtwistle Fund, Al and Carole Hardman Fund, McKnight Family Fund, Milan and Dorothy Reed Fund, Todd and Julie Schrader Family Fund, John and Anita Wilson Family Fund, Metalworks, Dave and Chrissie Hall Fund, Harold D. & Alice R. Gibbs & Francisco & Marion R. Penberthy Fund, and the Community Foundation for Mason County Unrestricted Fund.
Match Day Donation Form
Each donor will need to turn in this form with their gift on Match Day. Copies are available at the Ludiington Arts Center Building and will be available on the date of the event at the Arts Center.
Qualifying Organizations
Epworth Fund for Ludington
Ludington Area Rotary Fund
Ludington Waterpark Sculptures Fund
MCE Schools Athletic Boosters Club
Mason County Veterans Endowment Fund
Sabin Petunia Parade Endowment Fund
American Red Cross West Shore Chapter
Big Sable Point Lighthouse Fund
Emanuel Lutheran Missionary Support Fund
Ludington Schools Educational Fund
Ludington Area Catholic Educational Fund
Ludington Area Arts Council Fund
Ludington Rotary STRIVE Fund
MCC Educational Endowment Fund
Ludington Rotary Fund
Oriole Tennis Maintenance Fund
Mason County Library Endowment Fund
Mason County Historical Endowment
Mason County Walleye Association Fund
Memorial Medical Center Fund
Oakview Medical Care Facility Fund
Sandcastles Children’s Museum Fund
United Way of Mason County Fund
Andre Bosse Center Fund
Friends of the Women’s Shelter Fund (COVE)
Zonta/Shirley Smedley Memorial Fund
Ludington Area Arts Council Capital Campaign Project
Ludington Dog Park, Inc. Capital Campaign
Mason County District Library Capital Campaign
Mason County Historical Society Capital Fund
Sandcastles Children’s Museum Capital Campaign Fund
Mason County Triad Fund
Ludington All Sports Boosters Club Fund
Frequently Asked Question
What is Match Day?
A one-day event in which anyone can make a donation to a qualifying Mason County nonprofit organization and receive a minimum 50% match to the same organization. Donations will be collected and match dollars will be applied in the order they are received.
When is Match Day?
Thursday, June 17, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How and where do I donate?
Bring your cash or check to the Gallery in the Ludington Area Arts Council Center at 107 S. Harrison St in Ludington, to be collected and processed by Community Foundation staff, board, Youth Advisory Council and volunteers. Then, mingle with your favorite nonprofits while enjoying punch and refreshments.
Why should I participate?
Match Day provides the opportunity to multiply support to your favorite nonprofits by matching your donation with Foundation funds. All donations collected on Match Day will be “passed through” the Foundation to the designated nonprofits, at no cost to you or the nonprofits.
Which nonprofit organizations qualify for match dollars?
A qualifying organization is any Mason nonprofit or group that has a Fund with the Community Foundation that is designated to support its charitable mission or community project.
Is there a minimum or maximum donation amount?
No. All donation amounts will be accepted, but there is a match limit of $1,500 per donor ($3,000 donation = $1,500 match). Donors may certainly give more, but only $1,500 can be matched.
Can I mail in my donations?
No. In order to qualify for match dollars, donation will be collected by Community Foundation staff in the order they are received. If you can’t join us in person, you can give your pre-dated check to the organization of your choice and they can deliver the check to us on Match Day.
Can I donate online?
No, for the same reason as explained above.
What if I want to contribute but cannot get to the Arts Council Center on the 17th?
You can give your check to a friend or family member and ask them to bring it in on your behalf-you might even encourage them to write a check of their own! Or, if that’s not possible, you can give your check to the nonprofit you wish to support prior to the 17th and they can turn it in for you.
To whom should my check be made payable?
Community Foundation for Mason County (CFMC). In the memo line on your check, please indicate which organization you are donating to.
Can I make a donation to more than one organization?
Yes! Please use the Qualifying Organization List to indicate which organizations you are supporting and how much you wish to donate to each organization, only one check is necessary.
When will the organizations receive the money collected on Match Day?
The organizations will receive their money at the Community Foundation’s annual dinner later this summer.
Spring Grant Deadline
PRESS RELEASE
For More Information Call:
Michael Oakes -Coordinator
Community Foundation for Mason County
P.O. Box 10, Ludington, MI 49431
Phone 845-0326 For Immediate Release
January 25, 2010
FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES GRANT DEADLINE
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday March 31, 2010
The Community Foundation for Mason County announces a March 31, 2010 Grant Deadline for projects in the following interest areas: Community projects, meeting the needs of women, children and the aging, environment, or other projects that are beneficial to the residents of Mason County. To be eligible for support, applicants must have a tax-exempt status under Section 501 (C) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) of the Foundation will consider applications that address projects and programs that engage youth in the community and involve them in constructive activities while building unity among youth.
Grant applications will be evaluated in part on the following organizational characteristics:
• Sound fiscal policy and responsible financial management
• Capacity to measure results and conduct program evaluation
• Evidence of collaboration and cooperation with other organizations where appropriate
• A base of community and organizational financial and program support
All applications are online therefore: Potential applicants interested in submitting a grant application are encouraged to call Mike Oakes at the Foundation office (845-0326) to discuss their interest prior to submission of an application.
The Community Foundation for Mason County was created in 1988 to improve the quality of life for Mason County residents. A publicly supported community endowment, the Foundation receives and manages contributions from community citizens and organizations that are committed to the future of Mason County. Supporting community projects in the areas of Arts, Education, Community Development, Environment, Health and Human Services and Youth issues, the Foundation reflects the collective vision of Mason County residents and provides a cost effective method for contributing to the community through gifts of any size and of many types.
$2 Million Grant Mark Reached
Community Foundation reaches $2 million mark
by Diane Nemitz - Daily News Staff Writer
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The Community Foundation for Mason County has provided $2 million in grants to the community and members celebrated that fact during the foundation’s annual awards dinner Wednesday evening at Lincoln Hills Golf Club.
“It took 18 years to reach $1 million in giving back to the community and in the last two years we have reached $2 million,” said the Rev. Wayne Buskirk, foundation vice president.
Following an invocation by Buskirk, a DVD made by David Gibbs was shown. Gibbs was vacationing at his family’s vacation home in New York so he made the DVD to welcome members and guests and get the group thinking about the many contributions they’ve made working together. He pointed to four different personality types, calling them circles, squares, triangles and squiggles, and how they interact with each other and how they live up to the foundation’s motto, “For good. For ever.”
The Foundation for Mason County is part of the Muskegon Community Foundation with affiliates in Oceana and Manistee counties. Buskirk introduced the Muskegon foundation members and said the Mason County foundation has benefited greatly from its membership in the larger group since 1996. Buskirk briefly outlined the Mason County foundation’s accomplishments over the past year, which included establishment of eight new funds, awarding of 82 grants and the beginning of the Legacy Society.
According to the brochure given to the dinner guests, the society was begun “following a significant bequest from (the late) Shirley Smedley. The Legacy Society will celebrate those individuals and families who choose the Community Foundation for Mason County as a way to improve and enhance the community for future generations through an estate plan bequest or other planned gifts to the Foundation.”
Another significant recent accomplishment was the Youth Advisory Council’s “Kids Against Hunger” project, which resulted in 15,000 nutritious meals packed for the hungry.
The Waterfront Park Sculpture Fund helped to erect the “Hooked on Hamlin” sculpture this year, and next year the park’s final sculpture is planned. It will be dedicated to farming.
Former Chamber of Commerce President Alberta Muzzin presented special recognition awards to Sid and Carol McKnight and Budde Reed for their service to the foundation and the community.
“So many members of the community give back to the community,” she said. “Most of the time they do it very quietly and behind the scenes.”
She then listed Sid McKnight’s many accomplishments as a community volunteer and added “When Carole (his wife) gave me the information for Sid she said ‘this would be an unexpected surprise’. Well, Carole, I know you will be unexpectedly surprised to hear that you are also being honored this evening.” She then presented a plaque to the McKnights as Fund Holders of the Year.
Carole not only helps Sid with his duties as a charter member of the Sable Point Power Squadron, through which he teaches boating safety courses, but as a resident of Epworth Heights she has been very active in Vacation Bible School and the Women’s Bible Study group.
Sid McKnight has summered at Epworth for 50 years and lives in Kansas the rest of the year. He said Mason County is his second home, and now that he is retired and able to spend more time here it is almost becoming his first home because he concentrates all his volunteering here. The McKnights and Buskirk then got together to give a “Jayhawks whoop” because they are Kansas graduates.
Budde Reed, well known in the community for his many volunteer activities, was also presented with a special recognition award, which was accepted in his absence by his wife, Sheryl. Buskirk mentioned that Reed was most recently instrumental in starting the Mason County Veterans Fund during the past year.
Letter from the Chairman
Letter from the Chairman
May, 2009
David H. Gibbs, Jr.
A lot has happened since my last message to foundation stake holders. Despite the obvious market turmoil the Community Foundation for Mason County remains strong and true to our mission. The Foundation continues to grow the number of funds and provide leadership and support for important projects within the community. In shaky economic times it is more important then ever that the Foundation helps the community by providing stability through its leadership and wise use of its assets…I believe we are fulfilling that role.
I have been thinking of my Dad while writing this message. A few years ago I was getting on my Dad's case for not taking a stand or jumping up and down about all the problems I felt we had in this world. If you know my father, Dave Sr., he is not the type to jump up and down about much except an MSU game. I turn forty this summer and they say wisdom comes with age, boy it sure comes slow! I now realize he was taking a stand and jumping up and down in his own way. He was putting his money were my mouth was. That clever old conservative accountant was leveraging his assets by investing in our Foundation through regular gifts to his Fund. My old man is changing the world and will continue to do so long after my kids are too old to jump up and down.
With your sustained support we will continue to jump up and down on your behalf and together we will make this community a better place and help to change the world forever. I am proud of the work we have accomplished at the Foundation and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead. I am truly thankful for the efforts and commitment of our board members and the trust granted to us by our fund holders and benefactors. Oh, and of course you too Dad!
Sincerely,
David H. Gibbs JR.
$1 Million Challenge
$1 Million Dollar Endowment Challenge Met
Foundation Focus Newsletter - Spring 2008
When it comes to campaigns, the folks up in Mason County know how to build capacity for their community. Often leading the charge is the board of the Community Foundation for Mason County. Two of their past successes include the West Shore Community College Ice Arena and the Ludington Waterfront Sculpture Park. 2007 was no exception - in fact, it was a break out year for the Foundation.
“We had a goal of reaching $7 million in assets by 2007,” explained Board Chair Tom Paine. With assets of $4.3 million, Paine and fellow trustee Budde Reed enthusiastically began to schedule some lunches. The response to their first invitation “knocked their socks off.” They were told to not waste time on a lunch, but to just sign me up! “We discovered that many of the people we talked to felt honored to be asked and thanked us for calling,” said Paine.
In less than four months, they raised over $2 million from 11 donors – one million of which will go into the Foundation’s unrestricted fund. Reed, well-known as a champion fundraiser, feels the Foundation can move the needle even higher. “The board has made another goal to be at 10 million by 2010, but why wait until then?” Paine adds, “This is a great example of what can happen if we all work together toward a collective good. Honestly, it’s a fun place to be - to speculate on where we will go from here.”
