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, the 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.

Congratulations Dexter Community Orchestra on your grant award! We are excited to see this project come together in the...
10/08/2026

Congratulations Dexter Community Orchestra on your grant award! We are excited to see this project come together in the spring! 🩵💚🤍

Calling all DEXTER youth! Help us ensure that Dexter is represented with your voice!
10/05/2026

Calling all DEXTER youth! Help us ensure that Dexter is represented with your voice!

Announcing the 2026 Washtenaw County Youth Needs Assessment!

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation’s Youth Council has officially launched its Youth Needs Assessment for all high school students across Washtenaw County!

This survey was created by youth, for youth, to ensure local high school voices directly shape area philanthropy. It is designed to gather critical data on the real issues, challenges, and unique perspectives of high schoolers.

The feedback collected will directly inform the Youth Council's grantmaking priorities, ensuring that funding and resources go where Washtenaw County youth need them most.

- It’s Quick: It takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
- It’s 100% Anonymous: No names are collected, and individual privacy is strictly protected.
- It’s Impactful: Your responses leave a lasting impact on your community.

If you are a high school student in Washtenaw County, click the link below to share your perspective and help guide local change.

🔗 tinyurl.com/5n6mp62f

10/05/2026

Celebrating 10 years of the Dexter Community Fund!

Established in 2014 through the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, the Fund was created as a permanent endowment to strengthen the Dexter area for generations to come.

Since awarding its first grants in 2017, the Fund has invested $127,000 in the community, including $26,000 this year. Today, it has grown to over $1.3 million in assets, creating an enduring source of support for Dexter.

We’re grateful to the donors and advisors whose vision continues to make this impact possible. 💙

Learn more about the Dexter Community Fund and its impact: https://buff.ly/JAoVLq4

October is here! 🍁 We are excited to be chosen as the Good Neighbor Tap partner for October by Erratic Ale Co., and th...
10/01/2026

October is here! 🍁 We are excited to be chosen as the Good Neighbor Tap partner for October by Erratic Ale Co., and the first for the new owner! 🫶

Erratic Ale Co. will donate $2.00 to the Dexter Community Fund for each pint purchased during the month of October. 🍺

Stop by and buy, say hi, and you might see one of us too!

Thank you Andrew and Erratic Ale Co. for supporting us!

🩵💚🤍

Thank you to everyone that came out last weekend for our Grant Award Presentation Event! Despite the gloomy wet weather...
09/24/2026

Thank you to everyone that came out last weekend for our Grant Award Presentation Event! Despite the gloomy wet weather outside, it was bright and cheerful on the inside. 🌞

How fortunate we are to have such dedicated organizations and services available in Dexter! Each grantee shared how they plan to use their award in the Dexter community with heartfelt stories full of hope and gratitude. The abundance of pride and commitment behind their missions was overflowing in every word. 💖

A huge shout out to those that contributed to making our event a successful one! Thank you to Dexter Senior Center for sharing your space and hosting us 🫶, Ziggi's Coffee for the flavorful coffee that kept us warm 🍵, Postal + Prints for your consistent customer service and high-quality print materials 🖨️, Value Copy for our fun big checks and last-minute specialty help ⏰, and Creative Confections by Maria for the yummy logo frosted cookies 🍪. We appreciate your support and relationships! 🤝

We enjoyed the opportunity to expand awareness about the Dexter Community Fund, fostering communication and collaboration among the recipients, and meeting new faces. ☺️

Stay tuned for our spotlights on the grant recipients in the coming months!
🩵💚🤍

Dexter Community Orchestra
Dexter Senior Center
Faith In Action - Chelsea/Dexter
Huron River Watershed Council
Many Hands Lifesharing Community
Michigan Foster Care Closet
SafeHouse Center
Webster Township Historical Society

09/04/2026
Drum Roll Please 🥁... presenting our 2026 Grant Recipients! 👏Be sure to attend our presentation event, September 19th, ...
09/03/2026

Drum Roll Please 🥁... presenting our 2026 Grant Recipients! 👏

Be sure to attend our presentation event, September 19th, 10:00 am, at the Senior Center and learn what these amazing organizations have planned for their grant award! Hope to see you there! 💙💚🤍

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. 🩵💚🤍

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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