April 2022 Blog | New Funds!
Cadillac Area Men’s Giving Circle
The Men’s Giving Circle is a group of forward-thinking men who care deeply about improving the quality of life for men and boys in our community. These passionate people don’t want to simply give their money, but they want to be a part of the process to help decide which organizations it is awarded to.
A local doctor was asked after retiring, “What are you doing to make a difference in the community?” His answer was “Not Much”. This bothered him. After sleeping on it for a while, he thought starting a Men’s Giving Circle could help with some unmet needs for men and boys in our community.
Established in December 2021 with the Cadillac Area Community Foundation a fund called the “Cadillac Area Men’s Giving Circle” was created. Participation requires a donation of $500 annually and today, 39 men have contributed to the fund. April 2022 will be their first grant season. (10% of annual contributions will be allocated to a second fund “Cadillac Area Men’s Giving Circle Field of Interest Endowment Fund). This endowment fund will be a perpetual Gift for Men and Boys unmet needs in our area.
Paul McMullen Track and Field Memorial Scholarship
Paul McMullen (February 19, 1972 – March 4, 2021) was an American middle-distance runner who specialized in the 1500 meters. Paul was known by some as “the pride of Cadillac” after qualifying and competing in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.
Paul McMullen attended Eastern Michigan University and graduated in accounting. After graduation, he ran three seasons for Asics Shoes and four seasons Saucony Shoes before enlisting in the United States Coast Guard at age 29 and served four years as a surface swimmer and Federal Boarding Officer on the Great Lakes. McMullen still holds the Coast Guard’s Cape May New Jersey Training Center 1.5-mile run record of 7:09 , which he ran on week 6 of basic training in December 2002. McMullen last broke the four-minute mile at the Premontane Classic in Eugene, Oregon at the age of 32 then later retired from running after failing to make the 2004 Olympic Team while representing the US Coast Guard.
Hall of Fame inductions: He was inducted into the Drake Relays Hall of Fame in 2000 and Eastern Michigan’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003.
Before his death, he worked as a Life Safety Consultant for EPS Security and competed in masters road cycling events during the summer. He was the founder and Coach of Chariots of Fire running club.
Today, the foundation holds the Paul McMullen Track and Field Memorial Scholarship for students in the Wexford Missaukee ISD School District. The annual scholarship will awarded to one girl and one boy in the Track & Field program.
The funds come from the Annual Paul McMullen Memorial 5k Run/Walk event held in August.
Korn First Generation Scholarship Fund
The Fund shall be used for support of the charitable purposes of the Scholarship Fund. It is understood that the primary purpose is to build a permanent endowment for the Scholarship Fund. The goal of the Korn Scholarship is to make college education possible for more students by working to remove social, financial, and academic barriers to success.
John Budde, Sr. & John “Sean” Budde, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund for Student-Athletes (Manton Scholarship)
The annual amount available for distribution from the Fund shall be made for the purposes of scholarship for student athletes graduating from Manton Consolidated School and attending a four-year college or university.
Brian Gaylord Scholarship Fund (Lake City Scholarship)
The annual amount available for distribution from the Fund shall be made for the purposes of a Scholarship for a graduating student(s) from Lake City Public Schools.
Clark A. Riddell Healthcare and Patient Assistance in Wexford County Fund
The Fund is to provide a vehicle to support Healthcare and Patient Assistance in Wexford County.
