Otsego Community Foundation

10/13/2026

Together, we are making a difference.

During the third quarter, the Otsego Community Foundation awarded $196,699 in grants to support organizations and initiatives that strengthen our community. From disaster response and human services to education, arts & culture, conservation, and youth development, these grants are creating impact where it matters most.

This work is only possible because of the generosity of our fundholders, donors, and community partners. Thank you for investing in a stronger, more vibrant Otsego County.

Congratulations to all of this quarter's grant recipients, and thank you to the funds that made these grants possible!

10/12/2026

☕ Join Us for Sip. Share. Connect. Tomorrow!

Looking for a chance to connect with others in the community? Join us tomorrow, October 13, from 9:00-10:00 AM, at the Otsego Community Foundation office, 316 W. Main Street, Ga***rd, for Sip. Share. Connect.

Whether you're curious about the work happening across our community, have ideas you'd like to share, are looking to meet new people, or simply want to stop by for coffee and conversation, we'd love to see you. There's no agenda and no presentations, just a welcoming space to connect, learn, and build relationships with others who care about making our community stronger.

Grab a cup of coffee and join the conversation. We look forward to seeing you!

10/10/2026

Mental Health Matters

Mental health affects every one of us, yet too often it remains a topic discussed in whispers rather than openly and without judgment.

Since 2020, the Stephanie J. and Brian L. Quaal Mental Health Fund has invested more than $12,000 in organizations dedicated to improving mental health in our community.

On World Mental Health Day, we are reminded that meaningful change happens when people choose to care, give, and support one another. We're grateful for the vision of the Quaal Family and for the organizations working every day to strengthen mental health and wellness across our region.

Together, we are helping create a community where no one faces life's challenges alone.

If this cause speaks to you, consider making a gift to the Stephanie J. and Brian L. Quaal Mental Health Fund. Your support helps continue investing in local programs and services that promote mental wellness, provide hope, and connect people with the resources they need. Click the like below to give today: https://godonate.akoyago.com/OCF/fund/stephanie-and-brain-quaal-mental-health-fund

10/08/2026

Are you a nonprofit volunteer, board member, or staff member looking to connect with others who care deeply about strengthening our community?

If you haven't heard of it before, Nonprofit Exchange (NPX), meets monthly over Teams as an hour dedicated to nonprofit networking and may be just what your organization needs! Content varies month to month from general connection and sharing, asking questions and supporting one another through challenges, and learning together as local passionate leaders.

For October's meeting, OCF has partnered with Rotary Charities to bring a guest speaker who will facilitate a conversation on program lifecycles. Topics will include program development, sustainability, sunsetting programs, and the benefits of collaboration and program partnerships. Whether your organization is launching something new, refining an existing program, or considering what's next, this conversation will provide valuable insights and practical takeaways.

Interested in attending this month and connecting with other local leaders moving forward? Email DeLayni, [email protected], for the meeting link!

Event Details:
📅 October 14
⏰ 8:00 a.m.
💻 Virtual via Teams

We look forward to you joining us, we are all better when we can work, learn, and grow together!

10/07/2026

🚑 Every day is different in the Emergency Department.

In this Career Pathways video, Katie Drzewiecki, Emergency Department Manager at Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital, shares what makes a career in nursing both challenging and incredibly rewarding.

From comforting patients during difficult moments to being part of life-saving care, Katie offers an honest look at the realities of working in emergency medicine and the impact nurses make every day.

She also discusses the many educational pathways available for aspiring nurses, proving there's no single route to a successful healthcare career. Whether through a community college, university, online learning, or a combination of them all, there are more opportunities than ever to enter the profession.

For students interested in healthcare, helping others, problem-solving, and working in a fast-paced environment where no two days are alike, nursing may be a career worth exploring.

🎥 Watch Katie's story and learn more about a profession that continues to change lives, one patient at a time.

10/06/2026

🎄✨ Extreevaganza returns this December, with Treetops Resort leading the way as host of the 2026 celebration benefiting the Otsego Community Foundation!

We're grateful to Treetops for stepping up to carry on this beloved community tradition and for helping create an unforgettable evening of holiday fun, featuring festive cocktails, chef-prepared hors d'oeuvres, live music, dueling pianos, desserts, dancing, and more.

📅 Saturday, December 5, 2026�🎟️ Tickets and reserved tables are on sale now!

Read more and get your tickets here:

https://www.otsegofoundation.org/extreevaganza-2026-presented-by-treetops-resort/

10/05/2026

Sometimes, the biggest barriers to education have nothing to do with the classroom.

Thanks to a $5,000 barrier removal grant from the Otsego Career Access Network Fund of the Otsego Community Foundation, the Kirtland Foundation Student Emergency Fund has helped students at Kirtland Community College overcome immediate challenges that could have derailed their education.

So far:
✅ 30 students have received gas cards
✅ 15 students have received food cards
✅ Additional funding has stocked the campus food pantry with grab-and-go items for students balancing work, family, and classes

For many students, this support meant more than a tank of gas or a week of groceries. It meant staying enrolled, finishing a class, and continuing to work toward a degree.

One student shared:
"I was going to have to drop out of my class because transportation was becoming an issue... I finished my class this spring and it felt so good."

Another student, a single mother recovering from an unexpected injury, said:
"I found myself deciding if I could continue my classes or put food on our table... What a relief. Our groceries were covered for that week, and I was able to continue my class toward my degree."

These stories are a reminder that removing basic needs barriers can have a life-changing impact. When students feel supported both inside and outside the classroom, they are better positioned to succeed, complete their education, and enter the workforce.

10/02/2026

Reason #3 to partner with the Otsego Community Foundation: Personalized Service.

Every donor has a unique story, and every charitable goal deserves a personalized approach.

Whether you're interested in supporting a specific cause, creating a family legacy, honoring a loved one, or planning a future gift, our team is here to help. We take the time to understand what matters most to you and connect your charitable goals with opportunities to make a meaningful difference in our community.

Meet the team behind your community foundation:

Dana Bensinger, Executive Director
Helping chart the course. Dana helps steer the ship by guiding the Foundation's vision, building community partnerships, establishing charitable funds, and connecting people and resources to strengthen our community.

Amanda Sosa, Director of Donor Services
Part strategist, part storyteller, and part philanthropic matchmaker. Amanda helps donors connect their passions with meaningful opportunities to give, while sharing the impact those gifts make.

Katie Warner, Operations Manager
Making sure every detail matters. Katie keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes, ensuring gifts, funds, and Foundation operations are managed with care and attention to detail.

DeLayni Brown, Program Manager
A champion for local nonprofits. DeLayni works alongside community partners to support grants, scholarships, and programs that help great ideas grow into lasting impact.

At the Otsego Community Foundation, meaningful philanthropy starts with strong relationships. Whether you're a donor looking to make an impact or a nonprofit working to create one, we're here to help you connect to what matters.

09/30/2026

📍 Ever wonder what a land surveyor actually does?

For many students, land surveying is a career they may have never considered, but it's a profession that combines technology, problem-solving, research, and outdoor work.

In this Career Pathways video, Ray Kihn, a land surveyor with MDOT, shares what it's like to help determine property boundaries, create mapping and 3D models for transportation projects, and contribute to making Michigan's roads safer.

Ray also offers a fascinating look at how the profession has evolved over the years, from chains and tape measures to drones, robotics, lasers, and advanced mapping technology.

If you enjoy working with technology, being outdoors, solving puzzles, and making a lasting impact on your community, land surveying might be a career worth exploring.

🎥 Watch Ray's story and learn more about this exciting career pathway.

09/28/2026