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Content about Michigan

August 23, 2011
Three Lansing-area nonprofits awarded 2011 impact grants

In its third year awarding Impact Grants, the Capital Region Community Foundation has chosen the Allen Neighborhood Center, REACH Studio Art Center and the Greater Lansing Food Bank to receive grants totaling $189,280.

In its third year awarding Impact Grants, the Capital Region Community Foundation has chosen the Allen Neighborhood Center, REACH Studio Art Center and the Greater Lansing Food Bank to receive grants totaling $189,280.

February 1, 2012
The disappearance of Michigan's Community Foundation Tax Credit

The State of Michigan Community Foundation Tax Credit was abolished by Gov. Rick Snyder at the end of December 2011.  Originally signed into law Dec. 29, 1988, the Michigan Community Foundation Tax Credit was designed to encourage individuals and businesses to build the permanent endowments of community foundations across the state. This tax credit was intended to bring additional dollars to communities by generating new donors and encouraging more permanent endowment support rather than tempting donors to shift their dollars from other organizations.

December 6, 2011
Nonprofit Center at the Armory receives $125,000 grant from Consumers Energy Foundation

The Consumers Energy Foundation announced it is awarding $1.25 million in grants to 10 community projects as part of the utility’s 125th anniversary celebration.

The Michigan Nonprofit Association was awarded a $125,000 grant on behalf of the Nonprofit Center at the Armory.

The Consumers Energy Foundation announced it is awarding $1.25 million in grants to 10 community projects as part of the utility’s 125th anniversary celebration.

The Michigan Nonprofit Association was awarded a $125,000 grant on behalf of the Nonprofit Center at the Armory.

To encourage local support for the projects, the 125th anniversary grants are matching grants. That means when the projects raise $125,000 in other contributions, the Consumers Energy Foundation will match that amount with its anniversary grants.

October 5, 2011
Our next chapter: A new home

After many months of planning and renovating, several Lansing-based nonprofits will be calling the former Marshall Street Armory home this fall.

The historic building at 330 Marshall St. in Lansing is set to open in November 2011. The Nonprofit Center at the Armory will house the offices of the Michigan Nonprofit Association, Capital Region Community Foundation, Capital Area United Way, Michigan Association of United Ways, the Food Bank Council of Michigan and other nonprofits.

The organizations based in the Armory represent a diverse collection of Mid-Michigan’s nonprofit leaders and funders, and the shared space encourages collaboration in every sense of the word.

After many months of planning and renovating, several Lansing-based nonprofits will be calling the former Marshall Street Armory home this fall.

The historic building at 330 Marshall St. in Lansing is set to open in November 2011. The Nonprofit Center at the Armory will house the offices of the Michigan Nonprofit Association, Capital Region Community Foundation, Capital Area United Way, Michigan Association of United Ways, the Food Bank Council of Michigan and other nonprofits.

October 5, 2011
Our next chapter: A new home

After many months of planning and renovating, several Lansing-based nonprofits will be calling the former Marshall Street Armory home this fall.

The historic building at 330 Marshall St. in Lansing is set to open in November 2011. The Nonprofit Center at the Armory will house the offices of the Michigan Nonprofit Association, Capital Region Community Foundation, Capital Area United Way, Michigan Association of United Ways, the Food Bank Council of Michigan and other nonprofits.

The organizations based in the Armory represent a diverse collection of Mid-Michigan’s nonprofit leaders and funders, and the shared space encourages collaboration in every sense of the word.

After many months of planning and renovating, several Lansing-based nonprofits will be calling the former Marshall Street Armory home this fall.

The historic building at 330 Marshall St. in Lansing is set to open in November 2011. The Nonprofit Center at the Armory will house the offices of the Michigan Nonprofit Association, Capital Region Community Foundation, Capital Area United Way, Michigan Association of United Ways, the Food Bank Council of Michigan and other nonprofits.

November 22, 2010
An awesome twist on "Can we have class outside?"

Remember when you were a kid in school and you'd look out the classroom window and wish you could be "out there" instead of cooped up at your desk?

So you'd plead with your teacher, "Can we pleasehave class outside today?"

For some Lansing-area students, having class outside is a reality.

And this is what $13,781 buys you for an outdoor classroom: Woldumar Nature Center, on the banks of the Grand River.

October 22, 2010
Connecting with his community

Kevin's family established the Kevin A. Kelly Action Fund to help people in need and provide opportunities for people to be lifted up from their troubles, their challenges and their pain.

As executive director of the Michigan State Medical Society, Kevin saw the big picture, advocating for access to health care and working to envision the future of medicine.

Kevin Kelly was a son, husband, father, mentor and friend.

As executive director of the Michigan State Medical Society, Kevin saw the big picture, advocating for access to health care and working to envision the future of medicine.

But nurturing relationships was important to him as well, said Dr. Michael Sandler, former president of the 16,000-member society, based in East Lansing.

October 22, 2010
Connecting with his community

Kevin's family established the Kevin A. Kelly Action Fund to help people in need and provide opportunities for people to be lifted up from their troubles, their challenges and their pain.

As executive director of the Michigan State Medical Society, Kevin saw the big picture, advocating for access to health care and working to envision the future of medicine.

Kevin Kelly was a son, husband, father, mentor and friend.

As executive director of the Michigan State Medical Society, Kevin saw the big picture, advocating for access to health care and working to envision the future of medicine.

But nurturing relationships was important to him as well, said Dr. Michael Sandler, former president of the 16,000-member society, based in East Lansing.

October 22, 2010
It's music to their ears

Getting schoolkids excited about classical music might seem like a tough job. But the Lansing Symphony Orchestra’s music director Timothy Muffitt welcomes the challenge.

Through a $3,286 grant from the Capital Region Community Foundation in 2009, Muffitt and the orchestra bring classical music to thousands of kids each spring — for free.

Getting schoolkids excited about classical music might seem like a tough job. But the Lansing Symphony Orchestra’s music director Timothy Muffitt welcomes the challenge.

Through a $3,286 grant from the Capital Region Community Foundation in 2009, Muffitt and the orchestra bring classical music to thousands of kids each spring — for free.

October 19, 2010
Community perspective from 10,000 feet

Pilots often have great perspective on life, both literally and figuratively.

From 10,000 feet above, they see things those of us on the ground often don’t or can’t see. Instead of seeing the front of a building, they see the building in its entirety and the grounds — and community — surrounding it.

Views like these can shape a perspective on life, too. That seemed to be the case for Gerald and Dorothy Francis, a Grand Ledge couple who were pilots.

Pilots often have great perspective on life, both literally and figuratively.

From 10,000 feet above, they see things those of us on the ground often don’t or can’t see. Instead of seeing the front of a building, they see the building in its entirety and the grounds — and community — surrounding it.

Views like these can shape a perspective on life, too. That seemed to be the case for Gerald and Dorothy Francis, a Grand Ledge couple who were pilots.

October 19, 2010
Community perspective from 10,000 feet

Pilots often have great perspective on life, both literally and figuratively.

From 10,000 feet above, they see things those of us on the ground often don’t or can’t see. Instead of seeing the front of a building, they see the building in its entirety and the grounds — and community — surrounding it.

Views like these can shape a perspective on life, too. That seemed to be the case for Gerald and Dorothy Francis, a Grand Ledge couple who were pilots.

Pilots often have great perspective on life, both literally and figuratively.

From 10,000 feet above, they see things those of us on the ground often don’t or can’t see. Instead of seeing the front of a building, they see the building in its entirety and the grounds — and community — surrounding it.

Views like these can shape a perspective on life, too. That seemed to be the case for Gerald and Dorothy Francis, a Grand Ledge couple who were pilots.

October 18, 2010
Cleon Mingus: A hero for all generations

What does Cleon Mingus, a retired autoworker who lived most of his life in a small home near Lansing, Mich., have in common with Andrew Carnegie, W.K. Kellogg and S.S. Kresge?

They all were philanthropists who left behind a lasting legacy that will benefit future generations in perpetuity.

What does Cleon Mingus, a retired autoworker who lived most of his life in a small home near Lansing, Mich., have in common with Andrew Carnegie, W.K. Kellogg and S.S. Kresge?

They all were philanthropists who left behind a lasting legacy that will benefit future generations in perpetuity.

October 5, 2010
Grant Guidelines

Criteria that organizations must meet when  applying for a grant from CRCF.

September 18, 2010
Disabled kids thrive on horseback

Thanks to a $10,386 grant from the Capital Region Community Foundation in 2009, the Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center can provide scholarships for horseback riding lessons to young people with disabilities.

A classroom aide pushed what looked like a cross between a stroller and a wheelchair into the riding stable. In it sat a tiny, pink-clad girl who looked half asleep, eyes gazing at nothing in the distance.

After a few seconds, the little girl realized where she was and sprang to life, jumping out of the chair and running over to Janet Gross, program manager at the Beekman Therapeutic Riding Stables.

“Good morning, Faith! Are you ready to ride?” Gross asked.

September 18, 2010
On a mission for medicine

Cristo Rey is the only organization in mid-Michigan with one staff member entirely devoted to helping uninsured, low-income residents receive access to free medication. Veronica Almaguer is an angel to hundreds of tri-county residents who otherwise would never be able to navigate the intricacies of all of the forms drug companies require to qualify for such assistance.

Some people in our community are forced to choose every day between paying for the prescription drugs they need and buying groceries or paying rent.

It’s a choice Veronica Almaguer, case manager at Cristo Rey Community Center in Lansing, sees all too often.

September 18, 2010
Open Door feeds the belly and the spirit

Lansing's homeless and working poor can go to Open Door Ministry in downtown Lansing’s Central United Methodist Church, a day shelter that  feels more like a community center. The large basement dining hall is full of activity from the moment the doors open at 8:30 a.m. each weekday. Coffee, juice, pastries and listening ears are ready for anyone in need. There’s no sign-in sheet. No one’s required to show ID or proof of need. Just come in, have a seat, take a nap in one of the recliners or catch up with friends.

Most mid-Michigan shelters offer a place for homeless people to sleep at night. But what do those people do during the day if they aren’t employed and are looking for work?

What about the working poor who need a support system during the day as they move toward what many of us think of as “normal life”? Where can they go to just “be”?