News & Events

THIS IS SENT ON
PURPOSE:

AN UPDATE FROM YOUR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION for MUSKEGON COUNTY

NOVEMBER 5, 2010

A Message From Us
$69 Million and Counting!
The Inside Scoop - You're Invited
Investing ON PURPOSE.
Imagine 5%

A MESSAGE FROM US:

As we journey toward the end of 2010, we consider the tremendous strength philanthropy has added to our community during this time of transition for Muskegon and Michigan. We are proud to be the Community Foundation in a place where so many share so well!

$69 MILLION AND COUNTING!

The grant committees have met, the board has given approval, and grant dollars are on their way back into the community. Over time, these grants have topped $69 million! We're excited to share some of this round's highlights:

Pioneer Resources has $3,600 to provide training and support for a new model of supported living for people with disabilities, and Read Muskegon will be using $2,500 to support adult literacy in Muskegon County.
Thanks to the Thomas & Geraldine Seyferth Fund, two area agencies will continue working with those facing housing challenges. Community enCompass received $10,000 to support housing foreclosure counseling services, and West Michigan Therapy has another $10,000 for its Housing Plus Program, which works with those in need of housing and to prevent homelessness.
We were pleased that a number of individual donors stepped forward with grant dollars from their Donor Advised Funds to allow several environmental requests to be funded! Watch this spring for a unique West Michigan Symphony Sustainability performance and a GVSU/MAREC Renewable Energy (RE) Technology Fair, and further habitat restoration work at the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve!
Read more...

THE INSIDE SCOOP...YOU'RE INVITED

Join us on the Frauenthal Theater Stage on Wednesday, November 17 from 4 - 5:30pm and hear what's going on in downtown Muskegon! We've asked some exciting guests to share what their

plans are and tell us why they're committed to

our downtown. Don't miss it!

RSVP to Pat Horsfall at 231.332.4116 or phorsfall@cffmc.org.

2009 Stage Event

INVESTING ON PURPOSE.

We invest ON PURPOSE: not to time the market, but to make money and give it away. Our third quarter statements went out recently, reporting good news! Our investment return was 9.91% for the quarter, which put us up 6.68% year to date. Consulting Group, our advisor since 2009, has helped us create a flexible framework for our investments to "reduce the downside risk" but still "allow for significant upside capture," says Gary Jbara of CG. "The CFFMC portfolio now has greater flexibility to navigate through all market environments. It's designed for consistency of returns leading to lower spending variability, and the lower fee structure translates to more available spending for the Foundation." We're pleased that they understand our grantmaking mission so well! The CG 2010 outlook and strategy is available on our website...we encourage you to check it out.

IMAGINE 5%

IMAGINE...IF EVERYONE LEAVES 5% of their estate to a fund at the Foundation, over $100 MILLION more will be invested in Muskegon County!

If you want to make a difference, leave a gift to the community in your will or trust. Anyone can do this! Simply name the Foundation as the beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy...or work with your attorney to craft an estate plan designation that's tailored to your specific goals.

Fleischmann Roberta crop 2

Roberta Fleischmann has been living her life ON PURPOSE, and her influence will continue after she's gone. "I feel honored to join the many others who have named the Foundation in their will or trust. Join me by choosing to do the same!"

Have questions? Just ask us. Contact Bob Chapla at bchapla@cffmc.org or 231.332.4111.