The Saginaw Community Foundation (SCF) granted $521,659.10 in the first quarter of 2015, supporting 47 programs and projects via its administrative and competitive grant processes.

“We strive to grant funds to support programs that will truly make a difference in our communities,” said Reneé Johnston, president and CEO of the foundation. “Every person who has supported the foundation – whether through donations, volunteering or advocacy – has helped us give much needed support to area programs. It’s people like you who truly help make an impact in Saginaw and make our community a better place.”

Programs managed by a variety of organizations were supported, including Pit and Balcony Theatre, Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy and Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity. Administrative and competitive grants were funded by The Dow Chemical Company Donor Advised Fund, the Nexteer Steering the Future Fund, the Carl, Jr. and Sandra Werth Donor Advised Fund, the SCF Unrestricted Fund, as well as various field of interest and donor advised funds.

Currently, SCF manages 25 unrestricted funds, 32 field of interest funds and 47 donor advised funds.

Pit and Balcony Theatre received a $10,000 grant to support its 2015-16 play season. Now in its 83rd season, Pit and Balcony Theatre is the only live community theatre in Saginaw serving up to 8,400 persons annually. Each season is carefully chosen to appeal to the diversity and multicultural demographics of our area. An individual show allows local directors, actors, painters, set builders and musicians to participate in a live theatre experience. Funds for this grant were provided by the Saginaw Community Arts Fund and the SCF Unrestricted Fund.

A $20,000 grant was awarded to Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy to create a state-of-the-art technology lab for use in technology-infused informational research-based instruction. The technology lab will facilitate in providing appropriate gifted and talented and accelerated lessons for absent or homebound students or for any student with limited extended learning opportunities due to inadequate or no technology in the home, thus providing equal access to technology for students and families of all socioeconomic and racial demographics. Funds for this grant were provided by the FORCE Youth Advisory Committee, the SCF Unrestricted Fund and the Arthur H. Webster Fund.

Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity received a $12,000 grant to support its upcoming 2015 Neighborhood Revitalization project. The project will mostly work to repair and preserve homes in the City of Saginaw, Freeland and Buena Vista Township. Utilizing three programs – Critical Home Repair, Weatherization and A Brush with Kindness, Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity addresses the varied needs of homes in specific target areas of Saginaw County, serving low- to very-low income individuals and families. Funds for this grant were provided by the Neighborhood Revitalization Fund and the Lulah C. McMullen & Family Endowment Fund.

The next competitive application grant deadline is May 1. Organizations interested in applying for a grant through SCF can learn more at our Grants page, or contact Kendra Kempf, program officer, at (989) 755-0545 or via email. 

The following SCF funds provided administrative (non-competitive) grants:

Community Advancement Network Fund

Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square – $2,430 (Regional capacity building cost-share grant for further strategic planning)

Dow communityGives

Sanilac Child Abuse Council – $1,000 (Great Lakes Orioles U12 baseball team)

Dr. Roy A. Hills Endowment Fund – $11,400

Carrollton Public Schools – $1,000 (Scholarships)

City Rescue Mission – $1,000 (Program support)

East Side Soup Kitchen – $1,000 (Program support)

Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine – $1,500 (Scholarships)

Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine – $1,000 (Scholarships)
MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine – $1,000 (Scholarships)
Public Libraries of Saginaw – $900 (Zauel Memorial Library)

Saginaw Public Schools – $1,000 (Scholarships at Arthur Hill High School)
St. Mary’s of Michigan Foundation – $1,000 (Seton Cancer Institute)

St. Stephen Church – $1,000 (Program support)
Salvation Army – $1,000 (Program support)

Junior League of Saginaw Valley Endowment Fund

Freeland Little League – $2,000 (Supporting field improvements)

K.P. Karunakaran Family Foundation Fund

Saginaw Township Soccer Association – $500 (General support)

Lucille & James Martineau Family Fund

Saginaw Art Museum – $450 (Great Lakes Bay en Plein air week [painting on location])

Saginaw Leadership Cares Fund

SCF – A Place for Grace Fund – $2,900 (Purchase equipment and supplies)

SCF Unrestricted Fund

Council of Michigan Foundations – $7,200 (2015 dues)

Carl, Jr. and Sandra Werth Donor Advised Fund – $350,000

SCF – Grants for Excellence (Teacher mini-grants) – $10,000

SCF – High School College Advisor Fund – $250,000
SCF – Youth First – $90,000

The following organizations received grants to support programs/projects via various competitive grants available through SCF:

Above the Wake – $1,000

(from the Nexteer Steering the Future Fund)
Paddle in the Park

Angels Among Us – $1,000

(from the Nexteer Steering the Future Fund)
Rabies Awareness 2015

The Bay Arts Council – $2,500

(from the FORCE Youth Advisory Committee)
Mid-Michigan Singers and Mid-Michigan Voice Academy

Castle Museum of Saginaw County History – $2,500

(from the Nexteer Steering the Future Fund)
Inspired by Bricks: Geared Up!

City of Light Community Development – $4,000

($2,000 from the FORCE Youth Advisory Committee; $2,000 from the YWCA Fund for Women and Girls)
A New Attitude Charm Course (ANACC)

City Rescue Mission – $4,200

($3,000 from the Carl Werth, Sr. and Ruth Werth Memorial Fund; $1,200 from the YWCA Fund for Women and Children)
Women’s emergency shelter living area furniture

Council of Michigan Foundations – $1,250

(from the FORCE Youth Advisory Committee)
Learning to Give Website Transformation

Davenport University – $3,929.10

(from The Dow Chemical Company Donor Advised Fund)
CSI Davenport: Summer Forensic Academic Enrichment Summer Camp

Emmaus House of Saginaw, Inc. – $6,000

(from the Lulah C. McMullen & Family Endowment Fund)
Repair roof on House #2

Friends of Theodore Roethke – $2,800

(from the Heroes for Kids Fund)
“Child on Top of a Greenhouse” Language Arts Review Camp

Girls on the Run Saginaw Bay (Underground Railroad) – $500

(from the Nexteer Steering the Future Fund)
Program support

Hemlock Public Schools – $10,000

(from The Dow Chemical Company Donor Advised Fund)
Multi-use pavilion

Invent Now – $5,000

(from the FORCE Youth Advisory Committee)
Camp Invention STEM Programs in partnership with Saginaw Public Schools, Saginaw Township Area Schools and Saginaw Area Catholic Schools

Major Chords for Minors – $10,000

(from The Dow Chemical Company Donor Advised Fund)
Free private music instruction for at-risk youth

Merrill Elementary School – $1,800

(from the Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund)
Johnathan Rand presentation and workshop

Michigan Jazz Trail – $2,500

(from the FORCE Youth Advisory Committee)
Jazzistry Workshops in Saginaw at SASA and First Ward Community Center

Pit and Balcony – $10,000

($864 from the Saginaw Community Arts Fund; $9,136 from SCF Unrestricted Fund)  
2015-16 Play Season

Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy (Saginaw Public School District) – $20,000

($6,000 from the FORCE Youth Advisory Committee; $6,216 from the SCF Unrestricted Fund; $7,784 from the Arthur H. Webster Fund)
SASA Technology Lab

Saginaw Intermediate School District – $7,500

(from The Dow Chemical Company Donor Advised Fund)
STEM Career Exploration Program

Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity – $12,000

($584 from the Neighborhood Revitalization Fund; $11,416 from the Lulah C. McMullen & Family Endowment Fund)
Neighborhood Revitalization – City of Saginaw, Freeland and Buena Vista Township

Saginaw Valley Historic Preservation Society – $2,500

(from the SCF Unrestricted Fund)
Saginaw Valley Humanities Lecture Series

Temple Theatre Foundation – $15,000

(from the SCF Unrestricted Fund)
Marquee Restoration

Tittabawassee Township Fire Department – $7,000

(from The Dow Chemical Company Donor Advised Fund)
Operation Public Fire Awareness

Underground Railroad – $3,500

($2,500 from the Carl Werth, Sr. and Ruth Werth Memorial Fund; $1,000 from the YWCA Fund for Women and Children)
Human Trafficking Task Force

YMCA of Saginaw – $3,500

(from the SCF Unrestricted Fund)
Experience Saginaw – Community Partnership Program