Manistee County Community Foundation

Directions Website Contact the organization

Manistee County Community Foundation GIVE. GROW. GRANT. These three words summarize our work and the concept of endowment. Join us and help to build a healthy, involved, and thriving community!

We are a public charity whose mission is to build community endowment, effect positive change through grant making, and provide leadership on key community issues, all to enhance the quality of life for Manistee County. Generous people contribute, we invest those gifts for growth, and the
investment earnings are used to make grants that build our community...forever. Since 1986, people have been using the Manistee County Community Foundation to build the community they want to live in.

The MCCF Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is seeking several new members for the 26/27 school year!The YAC serves as the Fou...
10/06/2026

The MCCF Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is seeking several new members for the 26/27 school year!

The YAC serves as the Foundation’s local panel of experts on the needs and issues that face area youth and advises the Board of Directors on grants from MCCF’s Youth Endowment Fund. YAC members provide leadership, learn about philanthropy and actively serve their community.

Each year the YAC works to recruit members that are diverse and will be a positive representative of their school and community. We want to ensure that we hear the many voices and perspectives of the young people in our community and encourage youth representing any and all perspectives and identities to complete this form.

There are no academic or other pre-requisites to participate in YAC, just a willingness to learn alongside other YAC members and be a voice for Manistee County youth!

This year, the YAC is seeking members from the specific grades and schools to round out its roster. Students may learn more about the YAC and access the YAC Recruitment Form on our website at https://manisteefoundation.org/youth-advisory-council-yac.

We are excited to share additional details about enhancements underway to the Manistee County Community Foundation’s pro...
10/01/2026

We are excited to share additional details about enhancements underway to the Manistee County Community Foundation’s property, adjacent to the City of Manistee’s new River Street Plaza in downtown Manistee!

MCCF’s project was designed to complement the City of Manistee’s new curbless plaza, further expanding access to recreation at the adjacent Municipal Marina park and through two nearby accessible ramps to the Riverwalk below. Additionally, it will expand the plaza footprint, providing more space and seating for community gathering and events within the downtown district in Manistee.

We’re particularly excited about several improvements to the iconic fountain that will improve both its form and function, including:

- A beautiful new base featuring a larger, deeper, pool which will also reduce overspray
- The addition of 8 new bubblers within the fountain pool
- New LED lighting with color changing abilities within the fountain pool and within each fountain tier
- A complete rebuild of the inner workings of the fountain, with features that reduce maintenance and enhance its sustainability
- And lastly…thanks to the City of Manistee…the refurbished original cast iron fountain will return home to be placed upon the new base and complete the project.

We expect this work to be completed by the end of November 2026, barring unforeseen circumstances.

We are grateful to Integrated Architecture, Spicer Group, Inc., Chicago Fountain, Tridonn Construction Co. , and others for their expertise in bringing this project to fruition.

This project is made possible through the MCCF Minger Family Endowment Fund and the generosity of Community Foundation donors.

We hope our collaboration with the City of Manistee and Downtown Manistee will inspire other ideas for collaborative, recreation placemaking projects across Manistee County!

Refer to the conceptual renderings for a sneak peek. 👀

The Manistee County Community Foundation welcomes 16 new participants to the Leadership Learning Lab (LLL) as part of th...
09/22/2026

The Manistee County Community Foundation welcomes 16 new participants to the Leadership Learning Lab (LLL) as part of the 2026-2027 Cohort at Site 1!

LLL is a 10-month leadership program made possible through a collaboration between Rotary Charities of Traverse City, the Frey Foundation, and northern lower Michigan Community Foundations, including MCCF. Cohorts are organized across five regional sites, with Site 1 including participants from Manistee, Mason, and Oceana counties.

Through monthly sessions, learning pods, and hands-on practice, participants strengthen their leadership capacity, build cross-sector relationships, and develop strategies for resilience and adaptation.

Members of the Cohort (pictured) are as follows:

Top Row (left to right): Amanda Babcock (Development and Communications Specialist, Benzie Area Christian Neighbors), Bethanie Dean (Clinical Supervisor, District Health Department #10), Claire Wittlieff (Academic Advisor, West Shore Community College), Jack Boitel (Academic Advisor, West Shore Community College), and Lindsay Brown (Economic and Community Development Coordinator / Utility Billing Clerk, City of Hart).

Middle Row (left to right): Amber Valentine (Collections Manager, Mason County Historical Society), Emelee Drier (Clinical Services Supervisor, Centra Wellness Network), Jodie Lynch (Planner, Manistee County Planning Department), Nate Markham (Activities Director, Manistee County Council on Aging), and Tyler Dula (Executive Director, Manistee Conservation District).

Bottom Row (left to right): Amy Stone (Youth Worker, Staircase Youth Services), Quran Griffin (Community / Adolescent Health Coordinator, District Health Department #10), Mara Davidson (Vice President, Feed Your Soul Food Pantry), and Stacey Smith (Operations Manager, Old Kirke Museum).

Not pictured: Jo Estrada-Guerra (Departmental Analyst, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services) and Heather Stephenson (Outreach Regional Coordinator, Mid Michigan Community Action Agency).

September marks the beginning of the 2026-2027 program, and we look forward to its positive impact on participants and our region alike!

Learn more about LLL here: https://www.rotarycharities.org/learning/leadership-learning-lab.html

Did you know MCCF publishes a monthly newsletter? When you subscribe to Manistee County Community Foundation's newslette...
09/21/2026

Did you know MCCF publishes a monthly newsletter?

When you subscribe to Manistee County Community Foundation's newsletter, you can expect 1 email a month with the latest updates on all things MCCF: uplifting impact stories in Manistee County, giving opportunities, our Grant & Scholarship Programs, the Youth Advisory Council and more.

On rare occasion, we may send out time-sensitive announcements, but don't worry, we have no intention to spam you. We will respect your inbox! 😉

Check out our 2026 September Edition (linked in the comments).

08/27/2026

🌼 MCCF awarded $12,113 to the Manistee Downtown Development Authority to help pilot a native planting project with SEEDS EcoCorps among select locations of the Manistee Riverwalk. SEEDS EcoCorps will be providing routine maintenance among these select garden beds, as well as putting together a cohesive management plan for future caretakers of these gardens, with native plants made a top priority.

We thank Andrew Stafford of Downtown Manistee and Hayley Wolgamott of SEEDS for their time!

Here's a helpful half-pager to remind you about our Fall Grant Cycle... there is still time to apply! Is your nonprofit ...
08/18/2026

Here's a helpful half-pager to remind you about our Fall Grant Cycle... there is still time to apply!

Is your nonprofit considering a future project, but lacking the funds to get it off the ground? The MCCF Grant Program may help. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, school districts, and units of government, including federally recognized tribes.

Applications for the 2026 MCCF Fall Grant Cycle are due September 15, 2026. A Grant Inquiry Form is requested two weeks in advance of the deadline.

Funding decisions are made November 15, 2026. Proposed projects may not begin prior to this date.

Take the next step by visiting https://manisteefoundation.org/grant-opportunities/ or by contacting our Grants Team at [email protected].

Was your organization negatively impacted by the major flooding that brought damage across Manistee County in April 202...
08/18/2026

Was your organization negatively impacted by the major flooding that brought damage across Manistee County in April 2026? You may be eligible for disaster loan support. ❤️‍🩹

The U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience is offering low-interest loans to support organizations that suffered property damage or cannot meet financial obligations after flooding and other natural disasters that took place between April 10 and April 21.

The deadline to apply for a loan to help with physical damage is August 31, 2026. The deadline to apply for a loan to help with economic injury is March 30, 2027.

Attached to this post is a flyer and detailed fact sheet with more information.

Check eligibility and apply for a disaster loan at https://www.sba.gov/disaster/ or call 1-800-659-2955.

Seeking support for a charitable project in Manistee County... but lack the sufficient funding? The Manistee County Comm...
07/30/2026

Seeking support for a charitable project in Manistee County... but lack the sufficient funding? The Manistee County Community Foundation Grant Program may be a viable opportunity for support.

Applications for the 2026 MCCF Fall Grant Cycle are due September 15, 2026. A Grant Inquiry Form is the first step and is requested two weeks in advance, by September 1, 2026.

Projects must be located in Manistee County, unless pre-approved by the Community Foundation, and benefit residents of Manistee County.

The Manistee County Community Foundation is the only entity serving Manistee County that impacts all aspects of life. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, school districts, and units of government, including federally recognized tribes.

Learn if you're eligible at: https://manisteefoundation.org/grant-opportunities/

Today, the cast iron fountain at the west end of River Street in Manistee is being disassembled and transported to Alaba...
07/22/2026

Today, the cast iron fountain at the west end of River Street in Manistee is being disassembled and transported to Alabama for refurbishment by Robinson Iron Corporation, the original manufacturer. The fountain will return to Manistee later this year.

The fountain is owned by the City of Manistee and located on the Manistee County Community Foundation’s property. It was originally placed in 2001 as part of the streetscape project at that time.

The removal of the fountain enables the demolition of the current fountain base so that a new and larger pool can be constructed in roughly the same location. Additional improvements include a complete rebuild of the inner workings of the fountain, additional nozzles, decorative lighting, and other enhancements to be completed by Tridonn Construction Co. and commercial water fountain design and engineering group, Chicago Fountain, later this summer.

The exterior refurbishment is funded by the City of Manistee which includes work to remove and transport the fountain, cleaning, repair, and recoating of the cast iron surface. Construction of the new fountain base and other interior enhancements will be funded by the MCCF as part of plans to renovate its property.

Stay tuned for updates by MCCF as the fountain restoration continues and for additional details about the MCCF’s renovation of its property adjacent to the River Street Plaza, currently under construction in Downtown Manistee.

For updates about the City of Manistee and the Manistee DDA Streetscape Project, visit Downtown Manistee or manisteedowntown.com. To learn more about the Manistee County Community Foundation, visit manisteefoundation.org.

Address

400 River Street, Suite 50
Manistee, MI
49660

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Manistee County Community Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Manistee County Community Foundation:

Shortcuts

Share

Category