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We are a non-profit, community giving organization created by and for the people in the Dickinson area. We're here to help our donors do good work. The Foundation is not designed to compete with, nor duplicate the efforts of other agencies that provide ongoing support for charitable organizations and services. Rather, the Foundation provides "one-time-only" and start-up funding, support for innovative projects when there is an identified need that cannot be met by other means, and programs that enhance the quality of life in our community. History: The first community foundation was organized in Cleveland in 1914. Today, community foundations are the fastest growing sectors of organized philanthropy. There are now more than 350 community foundations in the United States, with aggregate assets in excess of $8.7 billion and grant making of $769 million each year. In Michigan, there are 61 community foundations with assets of more than $1 billion in endowment funds and nearly $50 million in local grants. Nearly all of the Lower Peninsula is served by community foundations and community foundations are developing throughout the Upper Peninsula. Dickinson County has already reached $3.3 million in assets and has set $4 million as a goal for 2002. With more than 20 funds, the foundation has granted more than $90,000 in annual grants and scholarships in the year 2000; more than $225,000 has been granted in the past five years.
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