Staff
Laura
Heintzelman
Executive Director
(231) 723-7269
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Who We Are
The Manistee County Community Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization created in 1987 by and for the people of Manistee County. We are one of 65 community foundations in Michigan and one of more than 700 that exist throughout the United States to improve the quality of life of our communities.
As a publicly supported community endowment, the Foundation receives and manages contributions from community citizens and organizations who are charitably inclined and committed to the future of Manistee County. The Foundation supports a wide range of community issues and it is our intent to reflect the collective vision of all Manistee County residents.
Our Mission
The mission of the Manistee County Community Foundation is to:
1) Build community endowment;
2) Make grants that respond to community needs; and
3) Serve as a convener and community leader to affect positive change.
Operating Principles
In meeting community needs, the Manistee County Community Foundation adheres to the following operating principles:
- To respect the stated charitable intent of all donors.
- To emphasize and promote a long-term perspective toward community betterment and flexibility to meet immediate needs with an emphasis on the nonprofit sector.
- To reflect in Foundation activities, and in Board membership, the diversity of community issues.
- To maintain independence, integrity, and objectivity in Foundation pursuits.
- To emphasize a proactive posture and to focus on the prevention of problems, as well as on their cure.
National Standards
The Manistee County Community Foundation is in compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. Developed in the spirit of accountability, transparency, and continuous self-improvement, the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations are philanthropy’s most rigorous standards—evidence that community foundations seek excellence for their communities and donors.
These standards serve as both a blueprint for internal organizational development and a tangible set of benchmarks for external demonstration of operational excellence in six key areas:
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Mission, Structure, and Governance
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Resource Development
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Stewardship and Accountability
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Grantmaking and Community Leadership
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Donor Relations
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Communications
Financial Disclosure
The Manistee County Community Foundation IRS Form 990 and Independent Audit are available upon request. Please contact the Foundation office at (231) 723-7269 for further assistance.
Community Impact
Highlights from 2009 include:
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28 grants awarded totalling $39,285 to address community needs
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$23,000 in scholarships awarded to 24 students
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Seven grants totaling $1,500 awarded by the Manistee County Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)
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$180,004 in gifts and grants received
- 309 new donors for a total of $110,805 in gifts
- 33 people were memorialized/honored with gifts to the Foundation
- Six new funds established for a total of 48 funds managed by the Foundation
- $1,660,493 total assets under management as of December 31, 2009
