Dexter Community Fund

Dexter Community Fund The Fund's Advisory Committee will award grants beginning in 2016. The Dexter Community Fund is an affiliate of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF).

Established in 2014 as part of the AAACF, the Dexter Community Fund (DCF) is a permanent endowment dedicated to enriching the quality of life of everyone who calls Dexter home. Established in 2014 by a group of passionate Dexter residents, the Dexter Community Fund (DCF) is a permanent endowment that will benefit the community and residents of Dexter. As a source of permanent community capital, th

e DCF will be available to support and invest in a wide range of community initiatives, projects, and organizations that enrich the quality of life in Dexter across a number of areas: arts and culture, education, the environment, youth, senior services, health and wellness, human services, and/or community improvement. The Dexter Community Fund is also a vehicle for those interested in supporting Dexter to give back to the community. Members of the DCF’s initial Advisory Committee have made personal contributions to establish the Fund and to kickstart fundraising efforts, with hopes that additional contributions from local residents, businesses, community groups and anyone with roots or ties to Dexter will help grow the Fund. The vision for creating a permanent community endowment for Dexter originated more than ten years ago with Julie Schumaker, a local resident and member of the Dexter School Board. Schumaker shares, “I wanted to create a vehicle for those of us who love Dexter to be able to say thank you and financially support the community in perpetuity.” Early in 2014, Schumaker partnered with Ann Davis, another long-time Dexter resident, to explore the possibilities and find a way to make it happen. The pair recruited an Advisory Committee comprised of other local residents and community leaders with expertise in finance, law, business, education, government and the non-profit sector. The AAACF was founded over 50 years ago on the idea that, by building a permanent endowment for the local community, more could be accomplished together than individuals could accomplish on their own. Today, AAACF manages over $75 million in assets and has improved thousands of lives through $35 million in grants and scholarships.

Presenting the “caboose” of our 2025 grantee spotlight encores, the Ann Arbor Model RR Club Inc – Huron Valley Railroad!...
08/03/2026

Presenting the “caboose” of our 2025 grantee spotlight encores, the Ann Arbor Model RR Club Inc – Huron Valley Railroad! 🛤️🚆🚉

The Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club has been busy using their grant award to raise the ceiling in its upper level, converting it into a media room! Once completed, this majorly renovated space will provide a designated area for watching educational films and videos about railroads and the history of the rail system. This exclusive space will be available only to those attending a scheduled tour (hint hint to all the teachers out there - field trip!) 🚌

The Dexter Community Fund grant cycle is now closed. Thank you to all who applied. We will be selecting and announcing our 2026 recipients in the next coming months. Stay tuned!

The AAMRC is one of the oldest, continuing operating model railroad clubs in the United States.

Be sure to check out their open house on the first Wednesday of every month, from 7:30 – 9:00 pm. The public is welcome to sit outside and watch the evening train go by, or come in and witness the coolest indoor model train operation! It depicts the tracks throughout Dexter, Chelsea, and Jackson and continues to flourish.

Such a delight for train lovers big and small, and it’s even dog friendly 🐶. Located on the corner of Broad and Third streets, Dexter depot is considered their “clubhouse” and is a registered Michigan historic site.

There are plenty of opportunities for helping rebuild sections of the train layout and learn just about any aspect of model railroading from the AAMRC experienced members. If you are interested in volunteering or want more information, check out their website @ https://www.hvrrhs.org/. 🩵💚🤍

07/06/2026
Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE) is really making some waves in the Dexter Community! 🌊🚐🏞️“WAVE will begin sh...
06/25/2026

Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE) is really making some waves in the Dexter Community! 🌊🚐🏞️

“WAVE will begin shuttling groups to events at Metro Parks this summer with the grant. This is a stepping stone for the plans the parks have - they would like to work with all public transportation for their areas to get more people to the parks. Thank you for supporting the start of an amazing opportunity for our communities!”

The Dexter Community Fund grant cycle is now closed. Thank you to all who applied. We will be selecting and announcing our 2026 recipients in the next coming months. Stay tuned!

WAVE connects residents to essential resources, employment, education, recreation, and community events, empowering individuals and promoting sustainable growth for local businesses and services in Western Washtenaw County, with a special fixed-route connector in Dexter. As a non-profit, WAVE relies on the generous support of the community and accepts donations to help expand its services and reach more individuals in need.

Be sure to check out their website (https://ridethewavebus.org) for a full transportation schedule and routes offered in the Dexter community. 🩵💚🤍

Ann Arbor Trout Unlimited we commend your determination, collaboration, and all-around grit to improve our historic Mill...
06/19/2026

Ann Arbor Trout Unlimited we commend your determination, collaboration, and all-around grit to improve our historic Mill Creek and its ecosystem! 🌳🧑‍🌾🐟

The successful four phases of the Mill Creek Prairie Project and Restoration involved replacement of invasive (tall and tough) reed canary grass with prairie grasses and other native species, transforming a .8-mile stretch along the Mill Creek above the Dexter cemetery upstream to the pedestrian bridge.

These phases began in May and included: a mowing and de-thatching (Phase 1); an early June herbiciding with water safe treatment (Phase 2); a burning on June 12th (Phase 3); and to prepare the ground for replacement seeding and other treatments - a solarization plot and a sawdust & seeding plot (Phase 4).

On June 13th, Phase 4 was conducted. 20 volunteers under the expert guidance of Terry Sharik worked from 8-5 to prepare the soil, spread seeds, rake, tamp, spread tarp on sections, and wheelbarrow in several inches of shavings in another section for Nitrogen neutralization. Wow! 🥵💪🫶

“Now we have the happy prospect of layering continued diligence on this project with successes nearby!”

The Dexter Community Fund is accepting applications for its 2026 Grant Cycle. The deadline for applying is next Wednesday, June 24th.

Sign up at: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=aaacf

The Mill Creek Prairie Project and Restoration main collaborators also include Washtenaw County Pheasants Forever Chapter #151, Washtenaw County Conservation District, Huron River Watershed Council, and University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability. For more information about this project and AATU, visit www.annarbortu.org .🩵💚🤍

Like music to our ears Dexter Community Orchestra! 🎶🎻🎹“The Dexter Community Orchestra is so appreciative of the wonderfu...
06/12/2026

Like music to our ears Dexter Community Orchestra! 🎶🎻🎹

“The Dexter Community Orchestra is so appreciative of the wonderful support provided by the Dexter Community Foundation. We are using our grant to pay for a number of additional expenses associated with the DCO's twentieth anniversary season. These include fees for guest artists, including engaging a large chorus for our annual holiday concert, a special performance of George Gershwin's "Concert in F" with guest soloists, and bringing an organ to the Center for the Performing Arts for our upcoming performance of Camille Saint-Saen's mighty "Organ Symphony".”

The Dexter Community Fund is now accepting applications for its 2026 Grant Cycle. The deadline for applying is June 24th.

Sign up at: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=aaacf

The Dexter Community Orchestra is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) founded in 2005. The DCO has an honored history of talented music directors and musicians, offering an enriching musical experience for its volunteer musicians and its dedicated and growing audience. Located in Dexter, Michigan, the Dexter Community Orchestra is dedicated to cultural enrichment through the gift of live musical performances.

🩵💚🤍

How fortunate we are to have a gem like The Encore Musical Theatre Company in our community providing arts and culture f...
06/08/2026

How fortunate we are to have a gem like The Encore Musical Theatre Company in our community providing arts and culture for everyone to enjoy! 🎬🎭🎤

“Thank you so much for your continued support of A Thoroughly Friendly Day at The Encore for Neuro Divergent and Sensory Sensitive community members. It's such a very important event to us and, based on the feedback, to the community as well. We're so very glad you're a part of it, helping to make it a reality.”

The Dexter Community Fund is now accepting applications for its 2026 Grant Cycle. The deadline for applying is June 24th.

https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=aaacf

A Thoroughly Friendly Day at The Encore Theater featuring an inclusive, sensory friendly live theater performance of Fiddler on the Roof is scheduled for June 17th, 2026. For more details and tickets, call The Encore’s box office at 734-268-6200 (Tuesday-Friday 10a-2p). All seats just $20; Doors Open @ 1:00pm; Performance Begins @ 2:00pm. 🩵💚🤍

Address

Dexter Community Fund In C/O AAACF, 301 N. Main Street , Ste. 300
Ann Arbor, MI
48104

Telephone

(734) 663-0401

Website

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