Our Stories
Donor Stories
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...
Grantee Stories
Ray Leverton: A Lifetime of Service
Ray Leverton with Jason Chapman, Ishpeming City Council member, displaying the tribute from the State of Michigan recognizing Ray for his lifelong service to the community. Photo courtesy of the City of Ishpeming Ishpeming lost one of its dearest community members on...
Six Feet Over Recognizes Suicide Survivors Fund as Model
Katie Hardy, executive director, Six Feet Over; Zosia Eppensteiner, CEO, CFMC;and Dave Aro, who established the Marquette County Suicide Survivors Support Fund. Six Feet Over, a nonprofit based in Detroit that provides suicide support and prevention services, recently...
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...
Anthony and Edmark Join Community Foundation Board of Trustees
The Foundation is pleased to welcome Gail Anthony and Shannon Edmark to its Board of Trustees. Gail Anthony joins the board as an honorary trustee. Anthony served as CEO of the Community Foundation for eight years, retiring in December 2020. She has served the...
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...
Celebrate Community Together!
You’re invited to the Community Foundation of Marquette County’s 2022 Annual Celebration on Wednesday, September 14 at 5:00 p.m. The event will be held at the Northern Center on the campus of Northern Michigan University. The evening will be a celebration of the...
Youth Advisory Committee Stories
Catpacks
Packing Catpacks: an organization that supplies food to children who are facing food insecurities over weekends and holidays during the school year.
Just Believe
Delight Hill, with Just Believe, stopped by to discuss her work with sun safety programs in the community and to make ultraviolet detecting bead bracelets.
YAC Hats!
Amanda Matznick, Owen Morton, Levi Giroux, Spencer Giroux and Myah McNabe help make and deliver winter hats to the local Salvation Army.