Mission: The Cadillac Area Community Foundation enhances the quality of life for all people of our community through philanthropy – connecting donor gifts with the needs in our community.
CACF Grant Awarded:
Eagle Village, Inc. | Scholarship Program
Up North Arts | Pottery Wheels
Viking Baseball Association | Batting Cages for at the Wex
Wexford-Missaukee Great Start Collaborative ISD
CADILLAC YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE Grants Approved:
Eagle Village, Inc. | $Scholarship Program
Viking Baseball Association | Batting Cages for the Wex
Northwest Michigan Works! | Healthy Snacks
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Cadillac Area Community Foundation enhances the quality of life for all members of our community through philanthropy – connecting donor gifts with the needs of our community.
Important News & Application Forms
2022 Updates
The Cadillac Area Women’s Giving Circle is building a community of philanthropists and creating a permanent legacy to address the needs of women and girls of the Greater Cadillac Area. The group is financially committed to making a difference in the lives of community women and girls in need.
The Women’s Giving Circle is a Field of Interest Fund held with the Cadillac Area Community Foundation and has granted over 195,000 since 2009. Grants are awarded annually to creative solutions to the critical needs of women and girls in our community. Applications are due March 1 and can be found at cadillacareawomensgivingcircle.org.
Cadillac Area Community Foundation Scholarships: Due April 1, 2022
When you are ready to apply, it’s important to get organized. One of the most important steps once you find an award that interests you is to read the directions, and qualifications. Make sure you included all form required.
For additional information and application, click here.
Veterans Fund of Wexford and Missaukee Counties accepts applications for Emergency Needs all year long. Click Guidelines and application information or by calling the Foundation offices at 231-775-9911.
Youth Grant Applications are accepted from September through May. Click Guidelines and an application.
CACF Trustee Grant Applications cycle deadlines: February 28, June 30, & October 31. Click Guidelines and application.
You can view all of our Grant Making and Scholarship Deadlines by clicking on the “Deadlines” Tab at the top of this page.
Executive Director’s Blog
The National Standards Seal by our name indicates official confirmation from the Council on Foundations that we have met the most rigorous standards in philanthropy. It affirms our commitment to financial security, transparency and accountability. It says our grantmaking includes an open, competitive process designed to address the changing needs of our community. The National Standards Seal also confirms our history of honoring donors’ wishes.
May 2020
/in Executive Director's Blog /by Doreen LancVirtual Celebrations
Our seniors were shortchanged from their high school experience. They were born in the devastation of 9/11 and graduating during the COVID 19 Pandemic.
No prom, no cap & and gown, no ceremony, no pictures with high school friends, no presentation of diploma in front of family and friends, no celebrating their high school accomplishments, and no graduation parties.
They have worked hard for this moment, and they are resilient, they are strong, they are persistent, they are determined, and they ARE going places!
The 2020 seniors will have lasting memories, just not the ones they planned on. The new wave of recognition includes: drive-in graduation ceremonies, scholarship awards via Zoom, and honoring seniors on Facebook all because of our response to the social distancing ban, and it is new to every single one of us.
Our schools, teachers, and parents, are going to great lengths to find ways to honor their students. They are being very creative in showing their gestures to the class of 2020. In the wave of technology, schools are reaching out in many ways to celebrate. Facebook, websites, signs in yards and even billboards seem like a small gesture but mean everything to a senior during COVID-19.
We will probably never again feel comfortable in public places, shaking hands even with close friends, and standing close to people we don’t know. It may be a long time to feel comfortable in large groups, sporting events, and even going to the movies.
But, we will continue to celebrate the milestones in our lives and we will continue to face unprecedented challenges, with determination and technology, virtual memories will be made!
Congratulation to the 2020 Senior Class – Stay Safe – Stay Strong!
We are in this together!
Doreen
April 2020
/in Executive Director's Blog /by Doreen LancWe’re living in uncertain times. We hear about the challenges our healthcare workers, essentials workers like grocery store employees, police officers, and EMS workers deal with every day. We have seen teachers and school staff members that are touching base with their students, friends and families being apart due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. It is real and serious for everyone!
The Cadillac Area Community Foundation granted Love Inc. and Community Hope $50,000 to support the emergency needs of food and shelter in the Wexford and Missaukee county areas from our Community Fund. These grants were just the beginning; donations we receive will be pushed out to the community to meet the needs as they occur. We are keeping contact with our non-profits who are providing so many essential services to individuals and families impacted by the instability and economic consequences associated with COVID-19.
A collaborative effort by the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau, Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Cadillac, Cadillac Area Community Foundation, Alliance for Economic Success and the Downtown Cadillac Association have put together necessary information for business help and support for companies impacted by COVID-19 Coronavirus.
City of Cadillac updates: https://www.cadillac-mi.net/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=443
Resources for businesses/food pantries: https://cadillacmichigan.com/covidupdates/
MI Blood locations: https://donate.miblood.org/donor/schedules/zip
We are here for the long haul, making sure we support our community of urgent needs.
If you would like to make a charitable donation to support with challenges facing a non-profit organization you have passion for, please write the name of the organization in the check memo and send to CACF, 201 N. Mitchell Street, Ste. 101, Cadillac, MI 49601, or donate on-line at www.cadillacfoundation.org. Please add the name of the organization’s you wish to support in the comments section.
Any support large or small is a positive sign of hope.
Stay Safe and Healthy,
Doreen
March 2020
/in Executive Director's Blog /by Doreen LancA Safe & Healthy Community
Safe & Healthy Communities (SHC) is a local community coalition comprised of a variety of health professionals focused on addressing substance abuse in Wexford and Missaukee Counties. Their mission is to build and mobilize a comprehensive, community-wide social movement to substantially reduce substance abuse in our extended communities. .
Unfortunately, the fact is that people have died from causes associated with the use of vaping products, and underage drinking.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that, as of December 10, 2019, there are 2,409 hospitalization cases of vaping-related lung injuries in the U.S., resulting in 52 deaths across 26 states. A recent survey done by the Cadillac Youth Advisory Committee asked students 9-12 grade, which substance is currently being abused, 73.1% said vaping. When asked if they knew the health risks, 97.4 said they did. The 7th & 8th graders said 89.2% of the students are abusing vaping. The numbers are shocking! 99.1% said they understand the health issues associated Read more
February 2020
/in Executive Director's Blog /by Doreen LancFocusing on what really matters.
At the end of January the Cadillac Area Community Foundation (CACF), CACF Youth Advisory Committee, the Missaukee Area Community Foundation (MACF), and MACF Youth Advisory Committee partnered to help fund a student program. The program, presented by national speaker Tony Hoffman, covered his battles with anxiety, depression, drug addiction, and mental health. On January 29th over 1000 students from 7 schools heard Tony Hoffman’s inspirational message of overcoming his struggles with homelessness, suicidal thoughts, drug addiction, bad choices, going to prison; and then turning his life around and participating in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as a coach.
Many of the issues raised by Tony Hoffman in his program were also brought to light in a recent survey of area youth undertaken by the CACF Youth Advisory Committee. A total of 617 Cadillac Area Public Schools (CAPS) students participated in the surveying that took place in January 2020.
33% (270) of CAPS students in grades 9-12 participated in the survey. These survey participants feel that the top issues currently affecting them are stress from school (91.1%), mental health (75.3%), and stress from friends (54.4%). The survey also revealed substance abuse that included vaping ( 73.1%), marijuana use (15%), and alcohol abuse (9.6%).
73% (347) CAPS students in the 7& 8 grade responded to the same survey. They revealed that stress from school (80.5%), stress from friends (44.1%), and mental health issues (41.4%) are already a concern to them in the lower grades. Substances most abused by these survey participants included vaping (89.2%), marijuana use (38.5%), and alcohol use (26.2%).
These numbers are alarming! So where do we go from here? Read more
January 2020
/in Executive Director's Blog /by Doreen LancInvesting in People is investing in the Future. That is the Key to Success for Non-Profit Organizations!
An organization’s success lies in the professionalism, compassion, vision, competence, and expertise of the people within the organization.
Nonprofit work is known to be mission-driven. Often achievement comes with pushing yourself and your team to its limit.
In the non-profit world, the roles and responsibilities of those that work for the non-profit often entail much more than any job description; rather it becomes a way of life. The folks who dedicate their lives to the mission often become the very symbol of the organizations focus.
Similar to the for-profit world of dollars and cents, working in nonprofits means being able to explain with a “business-minded” focus exactly what a donor’s return on investment looks like in terms of impact and change. Being transparent, knowledgeable, and passionate about the mission are skills every nonprofit leader needs because donors want to see their investments grow for the purpose of their own personal charitable cause(s). Read more
December 2019
/in Executive Director's Blog /by Doreen LancThe holidays are my favorite time of year as we all take time to give more to others and reflect on everything for which we are thankful.
As I reflect on 2019, the Cadillac Area Community Foundation is proud to have played a part in a number of activities that have led to positive results in our community.
Read more