Donor Stories
Honoring Sharon: A Special Conversation
In 2021, the Jumpstart a Heart campaign was organized by the Marquette County Law Enforcement Administrators and Association (MCLEAA) and the Community Foundation of Marquette County to replace the automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) for law enforcement units...
Celebrating the Joy of Clean Laundry
North Star Montessori Academy students, who are enjoying the school'sbrand new laundry room, made a sign to thank the Community Foundationand the donor who sponsored the project. Finding solutions to community needs, whether they’re large or small, usually takes time,...
We Remember: Charles P. “Snook” Smith and June Schaefer
The Community Foundation would like to remember Charles P. “Snook” Smith, a longtime Ishpeming resident who passed away on December 27, 2022 at the age of 94. A husband, dad, grandpa and great grandpa, Charles leaves behind “a legacy of songs, stories, memories and...
John D. Voelker Foundation Partners With CFMC to Establish the Native American Law School Scholarship Endowment Fund
Pictured Above: John D. Voelker fly fishing at his beloved Frenchman’s Pond. Photo: Sunday Magazine of the Detroit News (June 18, 1967) The Community Foundation of Marquette County (CFMC) is very pleased to announce the John D. Voelker Foundation Native American Law...
Year-end charitable giving
As you work with your advisors on year-end planning, consider some of these giving strategies that will allow you to support the Community Foundation and charitable causes important to you while accomplishing tax savings. Claim an Above-the Line Deduction in 2021 For...
Paul F. Blewett Legacy Funds Distribute Over $75,000
The Paul F. Blewett Legacy Funds were established at the Community Foundation of Marquette County in 2010, to provide support to multiple local and regional organizations that Paul cared most about. This year, a total of $ 76,192.65 was distributed. Following the...
Johanna Pohjala Fund for Weavers : Fund Spotlight
A loom made by Matt Riihinen in Negaunee during the winter of 1945-1946. Photo courtesy of Christine Simonen This loom has a fascinating history, and helped inspire the Johanna Pohjala Fund for Weavers, a field of interest fund established at the Community Foundation...
Schenk Scholarship Legacy Fund : Fund Spotlight
Schenk Scholarship Legacy Fund : Fund Spotlight The children of Wilbur and Catherine T. Schenk wanted a way to honor their parent’s memories and support the educational pursuits of Forest Park High School’s graduating seniors. Wilbur Schenk was principal, then...
Over $100,000 in Grants to Local Nonprofits Awarded
The Community Foundation of Marquette County, including four affiliate funds – Negaunee, Greater Ishpeming, Marquette, and Gwinn Area – recently granted over $100,000 as part of the annual competitive grant cycle. Of the total grant funding, over $25,000 was awarded...
Over $35,000 in COVID-19 Relief Grants Announced for Marquette County Nonprofits
The COVID-19 Community Response Fund, a collaboration of the Community Foundation of Marquette County and United Way of Marquette County, recently granted over $35,000 to twenty-three Marquette County nonprofits. These grants were given as “phase two” of the fund,...
Huron Mountain Club Fund Distributes $56,000 to Local Nonprofits
The Community Foundation of Marquette County, on behalf of the Huron Mountain Club Fund, is pleased to announce $56,000 in grants and awards to nonprofits in Marquette County. Several Big Bay organizations received support as well as other local nonprofits, including...
Gail Anthony to Retire as CEO of the Community Foundation of Marquette County, New Fund Announced in Her Honor
After eight years of service as CEO of the Community Foundation of Marquette County, Gail Anthony is retiring December 31, 2020. “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve the communities of Marquette County,” said Anthony. “Getting to know and work with the...
Paul F. Blewett Legacy Funds Distribute Over $125,000
The Paul F. Blewett Legacy Funds were established at the Community Foundation of Marquette County in 2010, to provide support to multiple local and regional organizations that Paul cared most about. This year, a total of $128,409.37 was distributed. Following the...
2020 Grant Recipients Announced
The Community Foundation of Marquette County, including four affiliate funds – Negaunee, Greater Ishpeming, Marquette, and Gwinn Area – granted a total of $58,334 this year in the annual competitive grant cycle. Forty-one percent ($24,000) was awarded to programs that...
Marion C. Vander Veen Family Great Lakes Education Donor Advised Fund
Marion Vander Veen was born in Webberville, MI on January 21 in 1924. She then moved to various cities in Michigan, before meeting husband, Dick, in Muskegon, where they played opposite each other in their high school Christmas pageant. While Dick served in WWII,...
Clark Lambros’ Beach Park Fund Donor Story
It’s Tuesday afternoon, and Vango’s is alive with friendly conversation and the warm smell of pizza dough. The Marquette restaurant has served as a gathering spot for the community for decades, in large part because of the generous and dedicated work of Michele...
Matt Davidson Donor Story
On March 1, 2017, the Matt Davidson Memorial Scholarship Fund, a permanent endowment, was established at the Community Foundation of Marquette County with gifts received from family and friends. This fund will be used primarily to provide scholarships to graduating...
Mark Ulrickson Donor Story
A new scholarship fund at the Community Foundation of Marquette County will help local students receive a college education and carry on the legacy of the late Dr. Mark Ulrickson, a Marquette ophthalmologist, Ishpeming native and supporter of the Big Brothers Big...
Pam Benton Memorial
Pam served as a Trustee of the Community Foundation since the fall of 2013. She brought to the position her experience and knowledge of philanthropic operations and development and quickly embraced the philanthropic goals of the foundation. “Pam was a dynamic and...