Between Oct. 9 – Dec.14, 2015, Saginaw Community Foundation (SCF) granted $230,361.88 supporting 44 programs and projects via its designated, donor advised and competitive grant processes. During 2015, SCF granted more than $1.15 million.
“Every person who has supported the foundation – whether through donations, volunteering or advocacy – has helped us give much needed support to area programs. It’s people like you who truly help make an impact in Saginaw and make our community a better place,” said Reneé Johnston, president and CEO of the foundation. “We strive to grant funds to support programs that will make a difference in our communities.”
Programs managed by a variety of organizations were supported, including SVRC Industries, the Saginaw Valley Concert Association and Westlund Guidance Clinic. During this most recent grant cycle, grants awarded were funded by The Dow Chemical Company communityGives Youth Volunteer Grant Program, the Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund, the Nexteer Steering the Future Fund, the SCF Unrestricted Fund, as well as various designated and donor advised funds.
Currently, SCF manages 25 unrestricted funds, 66 designated funds and 49 donor advised funds.
A $50,000 grant was awarded to SVRC Industries specifically to support the new Outdoor Farmer’s Market pavilion that will be built at the SVRC Marketplace, providing a permanent home for the Downtown Saginaw Farmers’ Market.. SVRC Industries is redeveloping the iconic former Saginaw News building in downtown Saginaw into a 100,000 square foot mixed-use facility, to be named SVRC Marketplace, supporting an indoor/outdoor farmers’ market, food processing hub, university sponsored-incubators, culinary arts training programs, demonstration kitchen, cooler space, offices and retail spaces. Funding for this grant was provided from the SCF Unrestricted Fund.
A $5,000 grant was awarded to the Saginaw Valley Concert Association to support its 2015-16 concert season. The season, which began on Nov. 15, 2015 and concludes on Apr. 24, 2016, features live performances at the Temple Theatre in Saginaw. This season’s performers include Thomas Pandolfi – a classical pianist who features the works of George Gershwin, the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club, Rhonda Vincent and The Rage – an American bluegrass group, and The Capitol Steps. Funding for this grant was provided by the SCF Unrestricted Fund and the Senior Citizens Enrichment Fund.
Westlund Guidance Clinic in Saginaw was the recipient of a $10,000 grant to aid in the expansion of its Autism and Behavioral Treatment Program. Currently, the program focuses on treating clients with a diagnosis of Autism from ages 18 months to 6 years. Beginning in 2016, expansion of benefits statewide will include those individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder ages 18 months to 21 years. This grant will allow Westlund Guidance Clinic to create more treatment areas and expand services to serve more clients. Funds for this grant were provided by the At-Risk Youth Fund and the YWCA Fund for Women & Children.
Organizations interested in applying for a grant through SCF can learn more at our Grants page, or contact Kendra Kempf, program officer, at (989) 755-0545 or via email.
The following SCF funds provided designated and donor advised (non-competitive) grants, Oct. 9 – Dec. 11, 2015:
A String Instrumental Program Fund – $2,420
First Presbyterian Church (Saginaw Strings Tuition assistance for the 2015 fall session)
Circle Michigan Fund – $326
Allen Park Public Schools – $160 (Arno Elementary School to attend The Henry Ford Museum)
Bellaire Public Schools – $166 (JRRodger Elementary School to attend to the Michigan State Capitol)
Nancy Claramunt Dance Foundation Fund –$2,500
SCF – Nancy Claramunt Dance Scholarship $1,000
SCF – Nancy Claramunt Dance Scholarship $1,500
Community Advancement Network Fund – $3,888
Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square (Fund development and board governance education)
Dow communityGives Fund – $6,000
Birch Run Community Schools – $1,000 (High School Robotics Team)
Merrill Community Schools – $1,000 (FIRST Robotics Team)
Saginaw Kiwanis Foundation – $1,000 (Saginaw Golds 11U Baseball Team)
Saginaw Township Community Schools – $3,000 (Heritage High School Latin Club, $1,000; Heritage High School Robotics Team, $1,000; JV Pom Pon Team, $1,000)
The Edward & Erna Ederer Family Foundation Fund – $2,500
Covenant HealthCare Foundation – $1,000 (support the annual fund drive)
READ Association of Saginaw County – $1,500 (purchase books from the Reading Is Fundamental [RIF] program)
Nexteer Community Improvement Fund – $2,635
Buena Vista Township (community center support)
David G. & Lois B. Wilkins Donor Advised Fund – $3,568
Jump Fresh Youth Academy (support for dance recital in December)
Wolohan Enterprises, Inc. Fund – $2,500
Delta College Foundation (support for the Possible Dream Program)
The following organizations received grants to support programs/projects via various competitive grants available through SCF:
Boy Scouts of America, Ojibway District – $15,000
($10,000 from the Lulah C. McMullen & Family Endowment Fund; $5,000 from the FORCE Youth Advisory Committee)
Saginaw Scoutreach
BSA Water & Woods Field Service Council – $2,666
(from the Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund)
Regional Support for the STEM in a Box Program
Gamma Kappa Kudos – $4,000
(from the Nexteer Steering the Future Fund)
Phi Delta Kappa Midwestern Regional Conference
Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance – $4,372.24
(from the SCF Unrestricted Fund)
Art Wave
Hearts for the Community – $15,000
(from the Lulah C. McMullen & Family Endowment Fund)
Wrought Iron Fence
Hospital Hospitality House – $3,500
(from the SCF Unrestricted Fund)
Room Safes
Kids Run the Nation, Saginaw – $8,000
($4,272 from the Carl Werth, Sr. & Ruth Werth Memorial Fund, $2,028 from the SCF Unrestricted Fund; $1,700 from the YWCA Fund for Women & Children)
Kids Run the Nation – Saginaw Expansion
RISE Educational Consulting – $1,500
(from the FORCE Youth Advisory Committee)
Girls in the Lab
Saginaw Intermediate School District – $11,700
($10,000 from the SCF Unrestricted Fund; $1,700 from the YWCA Fund for Women & Children)
SISD Career/College Advisor Calendar Extension
Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity – $20,000
($8,000 from the Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund) – Equipment and Training; ($12,000 from the Lulah C. McMullen & Family Endowment Fund) – Neighborhood Revitalization
Saginaw Valley Concert Association – $5,000
($3,000 from the SCF Unrestricted Fund; $2,000 from the Senior Citizens Enrichment Fund)
SVCA Season 2015/2016
SVRC Industries – $50,000
(from the SCF Unrestricted Fund)
SVRC Marketplace
Saginaw Valley State University – $10,000
($8,000 from the Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund) – Regional Support for the Garden to Plate Education, Wellness and Health Initiative; ($2,000 from the SCF Unrestricted Fund) – Veterans’ Mural Project
Westlund Guidance Clinic – $10,000
($8,300 from the At-Risk Youth Fund; $1,700 from the YWCA Fund for Women & Children)
Autism and Behavior Treatment Program
The following school districts received Grants for Excellence Teacher Mini-Grants (a competitive grant program at SCF) to support educational programs at specific schools:
Frankenmuth School District – $5,000
Frankenmuth High School – $2,500 (Computer Programming with Arduino and Raspberry Pi Boards)
List Elementary School – $2,500 (Makerspace … Creating STEM Minds)
Saginaw Public Schools – $1,483
Arthur Hill High School (Reading and publishing project)
Saginaw Township Community Schools – $2,033
Arrowwood Elementary School (Ukuleles for Youngsters)
Swan Valley School District – $1,483
Swan Valley High School (“Soar to Create”)