Bay Area Community Foundation

10/12/2026

October gets busy! 👀Keep FAFSA, college applications, scholarships, and important deadlines on your radar this month.

📲Save this checklist to help you stay on track

10/09/2026

💡Did you know? 7 out of 10 students attending a four-year college in Michigan may qualify for up to $27,500 through the Michigan Achievement Scholarship?

The first step? Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)! This application helps determine your eligibility for financial aid that can make college more affordable.

🔗 Learn more about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship: https://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid/programs/michigan-achievement-scholarship/college-and-university

10/08/2026

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Scholarships are awarded each year to Bay County high school seniors who embrace Dr. King’s dream of improving racial harmony and social justice. The scholarship award(s) will be presented at the annual Great Lakes Bay Regional Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration program held each January.

📆 Save the date for January 21, 2027 at Saginaw Valley State University!

This scholarship is also available to Midland and Saginaw County students through their respective community foundations.

Apply today! ➡️ https://bayfoundation.org/scholarship-programs/mlk-regional-scholarship/

Questions? Contact Program Officer, Aaron Faist at [email protected] or (989) 893-4438

10/08/2026

What an incredible evening celebrating the people who make our community stronger 💜✨

Faces of Philanthropy 2026 brought together friends, donors, community partners, and community changemakers to celebrate the power of connection and the impact we can create when we work together.

This year, we were honored to present the Peggy Rowley Community Enrichment Award to Ellen Charlebois and Michael Hanisko in recognition of their dedication to strengthening our community and creating meaningful connections across Bay and Arenac Counties.

To everyone who joined us, supported the event, shared their stories, and continues to believe in the power of philanthropy - thank you. Your generosity, partnership and commitment make all this possible.

Stronger Together, Connected for Good 💙

📸 Thank you to Harbour Light Photography for capturing the evening!

10/08/2026

What a night! 💜✨

Faces of Philanthropy 2026 was such a beautiful celebration of connection, community, and the people who make a difference across Bay and Arenac Counties.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening of celebrating what happens when we come together - Stronger Together, Connected for Good 💙

📽️ Thank you to Imageworks LTD for capturing the evening!

10/07/2026

Launch Your Future: Scholarship & Financial Aid Workshop is coming to Arenac County! 🚀

The Bay Area Community Foundation invites high school seniors and adult learners to Launch Your Future, a free, hands-on workshop designed to help you take the next steps in your education or training journey.

Join us at the Sunrise Community Resource Center to connect, ask questions, and start planning for what comes next! 🎓🛠️💼

📍Sunrise Community Resource Center, 583 E Cedar St. Standish, MI 48658
📆 November 10, 2026
🕰️ 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

And if you're in Bay County... Launch Your Future: Scholarship & Financial Aid Workshop (Bay County) is just around the corner! Save the date and register for either event here: https://form.jotform.com/251766056826061?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv4_a1demo0ebcd26c&fbclid=IwY2xjawUwkcBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBWJyaWQRMWJ5U1JpQklzUWg5M0R0VUhzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEezg7ED6Hh3yaa-FRkj42viIt3m5rkkte9Jh_zKCxljUR3t6HtBYHT2Bzrhbo_aem_QWWv5ZjMyFa8oXyJAlG3ZQ

⭐ Exhibitors include colleges and universities from across the Great Lakes Bay Region, Michigan Works!, trade unions, and military branches.

💡 Special Workshops (offered at 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.)
• FASFA: What It Is & How to Complete It with Delta College
• Get Money! How to Graduate Debt-Free with Anderson Bearden, Complete College Advising

💰🎓 Scholarship Giveaway! Attendees will have a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship. You must register in advance and attend to be eligible and win.

Your future starts with what you explore today! 🚀🌟

10/06/2026

We look forward to seeing you this Friday at the October Eye Opener Breakfast! ☕️

How can we better prepare students for college, training and careers?

Join us at the October Eye Opener Breakfast to hear from Shawna Walraven, President & CEO of the Bay Area Community Foundation, and Anderson Bearden, Founder of Complete College Advising and Coordinator of BACCAN.

They’ll share how local partners are working together to strengthen college and career readiness, remove barriers for students and better connect them with opportunities across Bay and Arenac counties.

Friday, October 9, 7:15am

Reserve your seat today!

https://www.baycityarea.com/event-detail/5sdkNM9tw4Eyznykqi5I9w2/eye-opener-breakfast-october-2026

10/06/2026

Bay Commitment is more than just a scholarship, it's an investment in your future! 🧩🌟

The Bay Area Community Foundation's Bay Commitment Scholarship Program has expanded to provide first-generation Bay County students with more flexibility, personalized support, and resources to help them successfully navigate college and reach their career goals.

Here's what you can expect:

💰 $2,000 initial scholarship, renewable for up to four years
🧩 Greater flexibility - unused first-year scholarship funds can be transferred to another eligible institution outside of Delta College or Saginaw Valley State University.
🎓 Personalized college advising - get support with financial AID, course registration, academic requirements, scholarships, and more.
💙 Support beyond the scholarship, because getting to college is just the beginning! Bay Commitment is designed to help students stay on track through graduation and toward their future careers.

Are you a Bay County high school senior and a first-generation college student? This could be the support that helps you complete your college journey!

📆 Application are open September 1, 2026 - December 1, 2026

Learn more and apply: bayfoundation.org/scholarship-programs

Questions? Contact Aaron Faist at [email protected] or 989-893-4438

10/05/2026

College Month Quick Fact! 💡

Workers with a bachelor's degree have a 53% lower unemployment rate than workers with only a high school diploma.

Education beyond high school can open doors to new opportunities, career pathways, and greater financial stability.

Looking for help navigating college access or paying for your education? The Bay Area Community Foundation offers scholarship and college access opportunities to help students reach their goals.

Contact Program Officer, Aaron Faist, to learn more or explore available opportunities at [email protected] or (989) 893-4438