Community Foundation of Marquette County gathers feedback for improving Ishpeming

The Community Foundation of Marquette County had help from the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan organizing focus groups at Bell Memorial Hospital Wednesday, where Ishpeming community members answered a series of questions.

“What are the major problems and challenges the community faces, what would you like to accomplish in your community, and if money was no object, what would your dream be,” asked Gail Anthony, CEO of the Community Foundation of Marquette County. The Community Foundation secured a grant through the Council of Michigan Foundations to help facilitate development in the county. The grant helps find funding from across the state that will then go to projects in the community. “So while there are no dollars that are being expended right now, the plan is in the future to really see where the community foundation should be placing their dollars,” said CEDAM executive director Jamie Schriner. Community members at the focus groups consisted of city officials, service providers, business owners, and youth and educational professionals. The most common issues brought up by the groups were blight issues, education, a need for community pride, and above all else, housing.

2018 Grant Distribution Event at Presque Isle Park a smashing success! 

The Community Foundation of Marquette County awarded over $73,000 in grant checks to successful applicants of the 2018 competitive grant cycle.   Community funds generated through a multitude of local donor gifts invested wisely over the last 30 years produced funds for Big Bay, Gwinn, Ishpeming, Negaunee and Marquette.
Grants from a number of these funds were distributed for varied projects throughout Marquette County.  115 applications produced a total 79 grants with projects ranging from an indoor rock-climbing wall for Negaunee Public Schools to funding for the Prime Time Family Reading Program at Peter White Public Library.  The new venue allowed easier access for media to grant recipients, resulting in two very nice articles in the Mining Journal and a story run by TV6.  It was a great opportunity for grant recipients to share their stories.  Please click here for a listing of the grants.

Community Foundation of Marquette County provides funding to support the maintenance of the Big Bay Pathway Ski Trail

Three component funds of the Community Foundation came together on June 5, 2018 to support the Powell Township Recreation Network. Health and Wellness Fund, Community Advised Big Bay Fund and the Robert Cowell and Kathleen Olivier Donor Advised Fund provided $500.00 grant each for a total of $1,500.00. The grant proposal was submitted to the Marquette Spring Program 2018.

Powell Township is reinvigorating its activities in relation to trail development after 8 years of development of two parks in the township– Thomas’ Rock Scenic Overlook and Burns Landing.   The investment in used equipment is necessary to move forward to maintain existing trails and to create an access trail for the youth from Powell Township School.

Pictured: Bob Cowell (Community Advised Big Bay Fund and Robert Cowell and Kathleen Olivier Donor Advised Fund) presents the grant to Lucy Wilcox (Parks and Rec Committee) and Sven Gonstead

Second Annual Blind Groundhog Beer Sampling – February 2, 2018

Will we have six more weeks of winter or an early spring? Who knows? Punxsutawney Phil is a groundhog, not a meteorologist! This year Phil and all other craft beer lovers will be invited to the Community Foundation of Marquette County’s second annual Blind Groundhog Beer Sampling. The event will be hosted by the Marquette Area Community Fund (“MAC”), an affiliate fund of the Community Foundation of Marquette County, on February 2, 2018, at the Marquette Regional History Center from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

During the event, guests will enjoy “blind” samples of brews selected by UP brewers. At the end of the evening, each of the brews will be revealed. Border Grill food, great beers, wine and lots of fun!

The event is intended to help to raise money for the  Community Foundation Grants Program, which provides grants to many local charities.

Must be 21 or older to participate in sampling. Valid ID is required at the door.

Healthy Living continues in Marquette County – MI Health Endowment

Healthy living will continue in Marquette County schools, preschools and day cares this year all thanks to a 100,000 grant from The Michigan Health Endowment Fund.

Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency (MARESA), and The Superior Health Foundation and the Community Foundation will be using the money to ensure the continuation of the PE-Nut Expansion Project (P.E.P).

The program is targeted at increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity of students in nine local elementary school and Early Childhood Programs in Marquette and Alger Counties.

As part of an in classroom component of the program a health educator visits the schools several times a year to ensure simple consistent messaging to motivate students. Students also get the chance to build their own healthy meals in those classroom settings.

The foundation’s CEO, Gail Anthony, is confident the lessons will provide a unique spin on health education.

“They introduce them in a fun way, hands-on activities, it is increasing the use of healthy foods in the home,” said Anthony. “It’s a fun activity and it’s a good outcome for the families.”

A new feature of P.E.P. is the addition of a new target audience of four-year-olds and their parents, along with an increased role for area grocers and produce departments. They are calling it the “Healthy Heroes” component of the grant. Pre-schools will start distributing punch cards that entitles each child to one free fresh fruit or vegetable per month for six months at participating grocers.

Families of the pre-schoolers will have access to a P.E.P. web page that links the fruit or vegetable of the month with recipes, resources and fitness/activity ideas. Cards will be punched for all 6 months and turned in for one of five “Healthy Heroes” grocery store gift certificates in the amount of $100.00.

Five major grocers have committed to partnering with MARESA. Participating grocers include Tadych’s Econofoods, Marquette, Super One, Negaunee, Jubilee Foods, Ishpeming, Larry’s Foods, Gwinn and Family Fare Supermarket, in Munising.