The Saginaw Community Foundation (SCF) granted $208,390 in the second quarter of 2015, supporting 51 programs and projects via its administrative and competitive grant processes. Through the first two quarters of 2015, SCF has granted a total of $730,049.10 in administrative and competitive grants.

“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 Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra and Saginaw Valley Agricultural Association. Administrative and competitive grants were funded by The Dow Chemical Company Foundation Community Donor Advised Fund, the Dow Corning 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.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church received a $2,500 grant for its Saginaw Teen MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers) group. The group is for all young/teen moms with young children. Its purpose is to provide a place where young/teen moms can come together for mentoring and encouragement, in a non-judgmental, supportive, faith-based environment. The church hopes this group will help teen moms become more self-sufficient, confident, mature, and equipped young women. Funds for this grant were provided by the YWCA Fund for Women and Children.

A $6,000 grant was awarded to the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra (SBSO) to support its hosting five auditioning conductors during its upcoming season. Each conductor will spend a week in Saginaw, meeting SBSO patrons and sponsors, community leaders and college administration and faculty as well as working with the SBSO. Each conductor will have three rehearsals with the SBSO musicians, culminating with a concert at the end of their one week visit. Conductors scheduled to audition are Alexander Platt, Maruisz Smolij, Stilian Kirov, Andrés Franco and Laura Jackson. Funds for this grant were provided by the Senior Citizens Enrichment Fund.

Saginaw Valley Agricultural Association received a total of $18,000 in grants for the expansion and improvement of the horse arena located at the Saginaw County Fairgrounds in Chesaning. Due to rapid growth of programs and clubs that utilize the arena, an expansion is needed to accommodate all. The arena itself is in need of new, rock-free sand to serve as the footing of the arena. The current footing has stones and debris that may cause injury to a horse’s hooves and may cause potential lameness. The conditions make it difficult to promote and even dangerous for horses to use the arena. The SCF Unrestricted Fund provided $10,000 and The Dow Chemical Company Foundation Community Donor Advised Fund provided $8,000 toward this project.

The next competitive application grant deadline is August 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:

Dow communityGives – $10,000

Hemlock Historical Society – $1,000 (Hemlock Boy Scouts)

Immanuel Bible Church Youth Group – $1,000

Saginaw Community Foundation – $1,000 (Stu’s Crew Fund)

Saginaw Township Community Schools – $2,000 ($1,000 – Hemmeter Elementary School Destination Imagination Team; $1,000 – Heritage High School Boys Lacrosse Team)

Saginaw Township Soccer Association – $1,000 (Saginaw Storm 98 Blue Boys Soccer Team)

St. Peter Lutheran School (Hemlock) – $1,000

Swan Valley Community Schools – $1,000 (Swan Valley High School Band)

Water and Woods Council – $2,000 ($1,000 – Merrill Cub Scout Pack 3317; $1,000 – Saginaw Boy Scout Troop 342)

Damuth Family Fund – $500

Saginaw Community Foundation – Heroes for Kids Fund

Elizabeth Eddy Fund – $5,000

Saginaw Art Museum – $2,500 (unrestricted)
Temple Theatre Foundation – $2,500 (unrestricted)

Aarol W. & Elaine M. Irish Family Foundation Fund – $4,389

St. Stephen’s Church – ($500 – Catholic Services Appeal; $3,889 – General support)

Nexteer Education Fund – $8,500

Bay City Public Schools – $4,000 (Western High School FIRST Robotics Team)

Midland Public Schools – $4,000 (Midland Dow High School FIRST Robotics Team)

Saginaw Township Community Schools – $500 (Hemmeter Elementary School Destination Imagination Team)

Saginaw Leadership Cares Fund – $2,600

Houghton Jones Neighborhood Task Force (General support)

SCF Staff Discretionary – $7,000

Hemmeter Parent Teacher Council – $1,000 (Hemmeter Elementary School Destination Imagination Team)

Major Chords for Minors – $5,000 (Operating support)

Saginaw Future – $500 (Saginaw Soup – a competition to support local entrepreneurs)

Saginaw National Association for the Advancement of Colored people – $500 (Saginaw NAACP Youth Image Awards)

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

Ascension Lutheran– $1,500

(from the At-Risk Youth Fund)
Back to School Fair

Bethlehem Lutheran Church – $2,500

(from the YWCA Fund for Women and Children)
Saginaw Teen MOPS

Center of Attraction Outreach – $7,000

(from the SCF Unrestricted Fund)
Summer Day Camp (outdoor pavilion and play equipment)

City of Light – $5,000

($2,241 from the Mildred Culbert Kelly and Fred W. Kelly Fund; $1,499 from the SCF Unrestricted Fund; $1,260 from the YWCA Fund for Women and Children [contingent upon proof provided that mental health funding is secured])
City of Light Summer Program

Community Village (division of City Rescue Mission) – $10,000

(from the Senior Citizens Enrichment Fund)
Video Surveillance Installation

Hemlock Public Schools – $7,000

(from the SCF Unrestricted Fund Fund) 
Hemlock Middle School Anytime, Anywhere Personalized Learning Project

Kids Against Hunger – $1,000

(from The Dow Chemical Company Foundation Community Donor Advised Fund)
Packaging Events in Saginaw, Midland and Bay City

The Legacy Center for Community Success – $8,000

(from the Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund)
Preschool Tool Tote Program

Merrill Community Child Development Center – $8,000

(from the Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund)
Development Center Support

Michigan Technological University – $4,667

(from the Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund)
2015 Mind Trekkers Festival

Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum – $8,000

(from the Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund)
2nd Graders are a 1st Class Initiative

Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum – $1,334

(from The Dow Chemical Company Foundation Community Donor Advised Fund)
Water, Water Everywhere Gallery Slate Wall

Music with a Message for Kids, Inc. – $2,500

(from the Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund)
Program support for “Good Vibrations … The Science and Math behind Making Music”

Mustard Seed Shelter – $10,000

(from The Dow Chemical Company Foundation Community Donor Advised Fund)
Mustard Seed Emergency and Transitional Shelter

Saginaw Public Schools – $1,500

(from the YWCA Fund for Women and Children)
Birth-Five Program

Saginaw Public Schools – $7,000

(from The Dow Chemical Company Foundation Community Donor Advised Fund)
SASA Green Space Project

Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra – $6,000

(from Senior Citizens Enrichment Fund)
SBSO: 2015-16 Auditioning Conductors

Saginaw Valley Agricultural Association – $18,000

($10,000 from the SCF Unrestricted Fund, $8,000 from the Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund)
Saginaw County Fairground’s Horse Arena Improvements

Saginaw Valley State University – $4,000

(from the Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund)
Saginaw Community Writing Center

Saginaw Valley State University – $567

(from The Dow Chemical Company Foundation Community Donor Advised Fund)
SVSU STEM Day

Smart Growth America – $5,833

(from the SCF Unrestricted Fund)
Michigan Walkable Urban Places

Tri-City (MI) Chapter of The Links, Inc. – $20,000

(from the SCF Unrestricted Fund)
Great Lakes Bay Region Shake, Rattle and STEAM

Underground Railroad, Inc. – $8,000

(from the Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund)
Security Equipment for the Safety and Resource Center

Underground Railroad, Inc. – $10,000

(from The Dow Chemical Company Foundation Community Donor Advised Fund)
Emergency Shelter Security System Upgrade

Underground Railroad, Inc. – $5,000

(from The Dow Chemical Company Foundation Community Donor Advised Fund)
Great Lakes Bay Girls on the Run Program Support and Expansion

United Way of Saginaw County – $8,000

(from the Dow Corning Donor Advised Fund)
Healthy Kids Healthy Futures Partnership AmeriCorps Program