The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation

Mission Statement

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation exists to facilitate, promote and serve philanthropy and permanent endowments, thereby enhancing the quality of life in its five-county region. We do this by developing and supporting a diverse collection of permanent endowment funds supported by a wide range of donors; involving a large number of regional volunteers in developing, managing, disbursing income and setting policies for the funds; developing an understanding of the role of charitable giving in filling community needs; empowering youth to make a difference through grand making and leadership.

Brief History

Established in 1992, with support from Rotary Charities, the Regional Community Foundation is the center for philanthropy and the largest grantmaker in our five-county region.

The Regional Community Foundation got a W.K. Kellogg Foundation matching grant program that helped to establish a Youth Services Endowment and a Youth GrantMaker program to teach high schoolers about philanthropy and involve them in grantmaking. Now, more than 15 years later, our local Youth Services Endowment and Youth GrantMaker program are the largest in the state.

Goals

The Regional Community Foundation plays a variety of roles in our region and strives to respond to community needs. One way we do this is by offering a complete package of support for projects that may be a one-time special initiative or start-ups that need to test community response. These are called Sponsored Projects and sometimes include Capital Campaigns. An array of services is tailored to a project's individual need and includes accounting, investment management, gift receipting, communications support, fundraising guidance, and organizational consultation. Currently, the Regional Community Foundation is sponsoring a number of projects including, the Campaign for a New Y, Fourth and Goal for Thirlby Field, Crystal Lake Art Center, Central Lake Athleteic Complex, and Chamber Music North.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers from the five-county region that represent various perspectives and backgrounds. Volunteers are also involved as advisors to each of our component funds. Volunteer fund advisors help to build gifts to the fund and recommend grants from the fund they represent. For more information on becoming involved, contact us at 935-4066 or info@gtref.org.

Giving Opportunities

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation accepts contributions of various types including cash or check, credit card, stock, and planned gifts (including charitable trusts, bequests, and gift annuities). Donors may give existing funds that benefit community enrichment, cultural arts, environmental, and youth and education related causes. Donors may also establish a Donor-Advised Fund, which provides donors an opportunity to have collaborative involvement with the fund. Staff can assist with identifying the charitable issues and needs in the community that the donor cares most about.

Donate Now!