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Community Foundation for Oceana County

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Community Foundation for Oceana County

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The Foundation exists to enhance the lives of the people of Oceana County by leading, promoting and c
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10/13/2026

We believe in forever impact.

Not just in the spaces we create, but in the students, nonprofits, families, and communities whose lives are enriched by what happens within them.

Our new home is a reflection of that commitment: honoring our history while investing in opportunities that will last for generations.

Rooted in Community. Growing Opportunities.

10/06/2026

When we were given the opportunity to purchase this landmark building, we immediately knew that preserving its character, honoring its roots, and salvaging as much original material as possible would be a top priority. As we carefully began renovations, we learned that the bricks used throughout the structure were handcrafted locally by Middlesex Brick & Tile Company, better known as “Pentwater Brick.”

The story of these bricks is woven into the history of our community. Early brickmaking efforts in Pentwater faced challenges until Charles Mears, a Massachusetts native, brought the knowledge and expertise needed to build a kiln and produce quality brick. The result was a thriving local industry whose craftsmanship can still be seen throughout Oceana County and beyond.

Knowing their history, we embraced every opportunity to reveal, reuse, and repurpose these bricks. In doing so, we hope to preserve not only the building's character, but also a meaningful piece of our community's story.

Oceana Community Foundation - Rooted in Community, Growing Opportunities.

09/29/2026

Since we got the keys, demolition has been completed, and construction is moving full steam ahead!
As we transform this historic building, a new vision is emerging, one that honors its rich history while embracing its future. Our aim is not simply to restore a landmark, but to create a lasting community home where people can connect, collaborate, and build on that legacy for years to come.
We're rooted in community and growing opportunities.

09/28/2026

The Oceana Community Foundation was honored to help organize the akoyaGO Michigan User Training and welcome fellow community foundations from across the state for a day of learning, collaboration, and connection.

Thank you to everyone who attended and shared ideas, best practices, and solutions that help strengthen our work. By learning from one another and improving how we use the systems that support our operations, we can better serve donors, nonprofits, students, and our communities.

We're especially grateful to Baker College, a partner school in our Complete Your Degree Program, for hosting the event; the Council of Michigan Foundations for their support in making the training possible; and the akoyaGO team for providing an engaging and informative training experience.

We left inspired, energized, and excited to put new ideas into practice to increase our impact across Oceana County and beyond. 💙

09/27/2026

👏 Say hello to Leadership Learning Lab Cohort 8!

We’re excited to welcome another great group of local leaders who are ready to learn, connect, and grow together!

The Leadership Learning Lab (LLL) is a 10-month leadership program made possible through a collaboration between Rotary Charities of Traverse City, the Frey Foundation, and community foundations across northern lower Michigan, including the Oceana Community Foundation. Site 1 brings together participants from Manistee, Mason, and Oceana counties.

Through monthly sessions, learning pods, and hands-on practice, participants build leadership skills, cross-sector relationships, and strategies for resilience and adaptation. We can’t wait to see the connections, ideas, and growth that come from Cohort 8! 💙

Meet the cohort (pictured):

Top: Amanda Babcock, Development & Communications Specialist, Benzie Area Christian Neighbors; Amber Valentine, Collections Manager, Mason County Historical Society; Amy Stone, Youth Worker, Staircase Youth Services; Bethanie Dean, Clinical Supervisor, District Health Department #10; Claire Wittlieff, Academic Advisor, West Shore Community College.

Second: Emelee Drier, Clinical Services Supervisor, Centra Wellness Network; Heather Stephenson, Outreach Regional Coordinator, Mid-Michigan Community Action Agency; Jack Boitel, Academic Advisor, West Shore Community College; Jo Estrada Guerra, Departmental Analyst, MDHHS Farmworker Outreach Services; Jodie Lynch, Planner, Manistee County Planning Department.

Third: Lindsay Brown, Economic & Community Development Coordinator/Utility Billing Clerk, City of Hart; Mara Davidson, Vice President, Feed Your Soul Food Pantry; Nate Markham, Activities Director, Manistee County Council on Aging; Quran Griffin, Community/Adolescent Health Coordinator, District Health Department #10; Stacey Smith, Operations Manager, Old Kirke Museum.

Bottom: Tyler Dula, Executive Director, Manistee Conservation District.

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

09/24/2026

🎉 Welcome to the Foundation team, Angela!

We’re excited to introduce Angela Ortiz, the Oceana Community Foundation’s first Youth Engagement Officer!

A Shelby native and lifelong Oceana County resident, Angela brings years of experience working with children and families and a passion for helping young people succeed.

In this new role, she’ll help us connect with youth and families across Oceana County, increase awareness of scholarship opportunities, support Read Early, Read Often, and build stronger relationships with our schools and community partners.

We’re so excited to have Angela on our team and can’t wait to see the connections she makes throughout our community! 💙

Please help us welcome Angela! 👏

09/23/2026

🍎 Oceana Teachers: Have You Applied Yet?

The deadline to apply for an Oceana Community Foundation Teacher Mini-Grant is just ONE WEEK away!

Every year, these grants help educators bring creative projects, classroom resources, hands-on learning experiences, and innovative ideas to students throughout Oceana County.

Don't let your great idea stay on the drawing board. Apply for up to $250 and see what is possible for your classroom!

📅 Applications close September 30. 🔗 https://oceanafoundation.org/grants/teacher-mini-grants/

Help us make sure no educator misses this opportunity by sharing this post and tagging our Oceana Teachers! 🍎✨

09/22/2026

Something big has been in the works over here at the Oceana Community Foundation.

A building with rich history and deep roots in Hart is being carefully transformed and will soon be the Foundation’s new home and community space. As demolition has been underway, we're uncovering the bones of a building full of history while preparing it for a new chapter.
Have you ever been in this building before? If so, tell us your story!

Follow along as we begin to share this restoration journey and see how this new space will become a community hub this fall. Stay tuned for more!

Oceana Community Foundation - Rooted in Community, Growing Opportunities.

09/20/2026

We're excited to welcome Chelsea Poyner to the Complete Your Degree (CYD) Program at the Oceana Community Foundation!

Chelsea is pursuing a nursing degree at West Shore Community College while balancing work, raising her two children, and caring for her home in Hart. Like so many adult learners, she's managing a lot while working toward her goals, and we're inspired by her determination to keep moving forward.

The CYD program exists to support students like Chelsea by providing one-on-one encouragement, helping connect them with resources, and walking alongside them as they navigate the challenges of school, work, and family life. We know earning a degree takes more than hard work, and we're proud to be part of her support system.

Please join us in welcoming Chelsea to the CYD family and wishing her success as she works toward becoming a nurse! 🎉

09/15/2026

We can’t wait to share more details with you about a project that’s been in the works for over a year now. Any guesses? Leave them in the comments!
Make sure you’re following along so you can see what we’ve got up our sleeves.

Oceana Community Foundation - Rooted in Community, Growing Opportunities.

Address

388 S. Hancock Street
Pentwater, MI
49449

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12318693377

Website

http://www.oceanafoundation.org/

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