MGCF February Newsletter

Dear Friends and Supporters of the Community Foundation,

As we dive into the month of February, we are filled with gratitude for the warmth and support you continue to pour into our community foundation. This month, we're excited to share updates on ongoing projects, highlight community champions, and invite you to join us in spreading love throughout our vibrant community.

Creating a Strong, Vibrant, Caring Community

Donor Impact:
While attending Buchanan H.S., I received scholarships to summer camps for Journalism and Student Government, which were a great benefit to me. Years later I had the opportunity to help with the development of two group scholarship funds at Michigan Gateway. These experiences inspired me to create a new fund with MGCF to support academic enrichment opportunities for Buchanan students. Michael and the entire staff were very helpful throughout the process, and with the added generosity of friends and family, the fund has reached endowment status. This year we made our first grant for a deserving student to participate in study abroad with the B.H.S. Spanish class. Best of all, in the future, the fund will provide enrichment scholarships for students annually and forever. I would encourage anyone wanting to make a positive contribution to our community to consider establishing a fund or partnering with an existing one at MGCF.

Jack McClellan

Grantmaking: The City of Niles and the enFocus home repair team are working to assess community needs and enroll residents in the program.

Residents have received the first official program announcement and a survey to assess repair needs. As the City of Niles waits to hear residents' responses, the Home Repair team is in the process of developing an application for the program and is contacting local contractors to proceed to enroll home repair requests efficiently and effectively this spring.

The program's home repairs and improvements will add to the overall revitalization of the City of Niles by reducing blight, providing improved housing, and bolstering the aesthetic and economic value of the 3rd Street corridor in line with the redevelopment goals of the community.

New Opportunities

We are excited to announce fresh opportunities and initiatives through the Foundation:

2024 Scholarship Application is Open: The application period for our scholarships opened on January 15th and closes on March 15th! Encourage deserving students in our community to apply and take the first step toward achieving their dreams. To apply, click here!
New Scholarships: We are thrilled to share that we are introducing a new scholarship this year; the Thaddeus Stephens Russell Memorial Scholarship, thanks to the generosity of donors. These scholarships are designed to support various academic interests and talents. Learn more about the Thaddeus Stephens Russell Memorial Scholarship Fund here!
February Grant Cycle: Applications for our latest grant cycle just ended on February 1st. Stay tuned as we announce the nonprofits and initiatives receiving grants! If you have any questions about applying for a grant, please contact us at info@mgcf.org.

Ways to Get Involved

Your involvement is essential to our success. Here's how you can contribute to our mission in 2024:

Donate: Your financial support, no matter the amount, goes a long way in helping our community thrive.

Volunteer: Ask us how to get involved in the Foundation! We are always in need of volunteers to assist with scholarship selection committees, mentorship programs, and community events. Your time and expertise are invaluable.

Spread the Word: Share our newsletter and the work of the Community Foundation with your friends and family. Together, we can reach even more individuals who want to make a difference.

Thank you for being the heart of our community. Together, we are creating a legacy of positive change that will be felt for generations to come. Wishing you a February filled with love, unity, and meaningful connections.

With Gratitude and warm regards,
Your Michigan Gateway Community Foundation Family