Community Foundation for Oceana County

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Community Foundation for Oceana County The Foundation exists to enhance the lives of the people of Oceana County by leading, promoting and c
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🎄 The spirit of the "Christmas in July" Is Still Making an Impact This Fall 🎁As the weather turns cooler and the holiday...
10/23/2026

🎄 The spirit of the "Christmas in July" Is Still Making an Impact This Fall 🎁

As the weather turns cooler and the holiday season begins to feel a little closer, we're reflecting on a special community effort that continues to bring joy to local children.

Foundation friends Jim and Cindy Pearce hosted a member dinner at the Pentwater Yacht Club on July 27 and decided to add a fun charitable twist to the event. The theme of the dinner was "Christmas in July" with all the trimmings, a traditional holiday meal and beautifully decorated trees overflowing with gifts for area children.

Guests were asked to bring a children's toy or make a cash gift for the Oceana Community Foundation to share with area nonprofits. All cash gifts were distributed to Roy's Kids, a law enforcement program that provides toys, warm winter clothing, and holiday food baskets to area families in need, delivered by Santa and a uniformed officer in a police cruiser "sleigh" during the holiday season.

With the help of our Youth Advisory Council, which sorted the donations by age group, more than 100 gifts collected at the Christmas in July dinner, hosted by the Pearces and their team of elves, were distributed to nonprofit partners serving vulnerable children, including:

🎁 Roy's Kids
🎁 CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
🎁 Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative with DHHS (foster children)
🎁 Lakeshore Children's Advocacy Center
🎁 COVE (Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters)
🎁 Lakeshore Food Club

What began as a festive summer celebration has continued to create moments of comfort, support, and joy for children throughout our community. Thank you to Jim and Cindy, their team of elves, and everyone who contributed to making a lasting difference for local youth.

❤️ Because of your generosity in July, children are still benefiting today.

10/21/2026

As we prepare to open the doors to our permanent home in downtown Hart, we thought it was a good time to introduce ourselves.

We're the Oceana Community Foundation.
We believe strong communities start with people who care. That's why we help connect generosity with opportunity, supporting students, families, nonprofits, and local initiatives that make Oceana County stronger.
We know lasting impact doesn't happen alone. It happens through partnerships with donors, organizations, businesses, and community leaders who share a vision for the future.
We're deeply invested in this place we call home, celebrating its history, strengthening its communities, and helping create opportunities for future generations.

And through it all, we're working toward greater prosperity for Oceana County, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

This new home is more than a building. It's a reflection of our commitment to the community and a place where connections, ideas, and impact can continue to grow.

Oceana Community Foundation - Rooted in Community, Growing Opportunities.

⛳ 53 years. 36 holes. One lasting legacy.The June 2026 Joe Foster Golf Tournament marked the 53rd year of this highly an...
10/21/2026

⛳ 53 years. 36 holes. One lasting legacy.

The June 2026 Joe Foster Golf Tournament marked the 53rd year of this highly anticipated regional golf tradition—and its impact reaches far beyond the course.

Named for Joe Foster, Oceana Golf Club's first resident PGA Professional, Joe began his career at the club in 1965 and spent 27 years running the clubhouse. In 2021, his children, Tim, Tammy and Tom, established the Joe Foster Jr. Golf Fund at the Oceana Community Foundation to honor their father and support the next generation of golfers. Both Tim and Tom followed in their dad's footsteps and worked as head golf pros at multiple clubs over their careers and now give back locally through youth golf lessons.

Proceeds from the annual tournament have helped put nearly $25,000 back into area youth golf programs—from a lead gift towards the golf simulator and practice room at the new Tiger Athletic & Community Center in Shelby, to new golf bags, carts and uniforms for the boys’ and girls’ golf teams at Hart and Shelby High Schools.

A tournament that began more than five decades ago is continuing to grow a love of the game—and create opportunities for young golfers right here at home. 💚

What a legacy. What a way to give back.

We believe in forever impact.Not just in the spaces we create, but in the students, nonprofits, families, and communitie...
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.

When we were given the opportunity to purchase this landmark building, we immediately knew that preserving its character...
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.

The Oceana Community Foundation was honored to help organize the akoyaGO Michigan User Training and welcome fellow comm...
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. 💙

👏 Say hello to Leadership Learning Lab Cohort 8!We’re excited to welcome another great group of local leaders who are re...
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

🎉 Welcome to the Foundation team, Angela!We’re excited to introduce Angela Ortiz, the Oceana Community Foundation’s firs...
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! 👏

🍎 Oceana Teachers: Have You Applied Yet?The deadline to apply for an Oceana Community Foundation Teacher Mini-Grant is j...
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! 🍎✨

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

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