Sturgis Area Community Foundation
- Aug 26
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Sturgis Area Community Foundation
Sturgis Area
Community Foundation
About
The Sturgis Area Community Foundation is a $30M foundation committed to serving the charitable needs of our community and enriching the quality of life for all people in the Sturgis area.
Grants
Our grantmaking framework is the vehicle that provides funding to nonprofits creating impact, empowering the people and organizations that best understand how to serve their communities with the resources they need. These investments are powered by the generosity of donors who have entrusted the Foundation to meet our community’s needs.
Community Impact
Individually, we drive our community forward. Collectively, we have the power to change it forever. Reaching our full potential starts with ensuring every individual has the opportunity to succeed. We partner with nonprofits, stakeholders and donors to cultivate thriving and collaborative communities, celebrate diverse perspectives and create clear paths to economic security and well-being for all.
Recent Grants
Recent Grant
Thurston Woods Village
Engaging in the Meaningful Present
Social isolation amongst seniors is a dangerous reality that affects many older adults in senior living communities. The feeling of limited freedom can lead to depression or isolation in nearly 40% of residents, making this a concerning mental health epidemic. Fortunately, the introduction of shared virtual reality (VR) for seniors at Thurston Woods Village offers a creative solution to address these issues. This specific VR program allows seniors to Relive, Reinspire, and Reconnect. It is especially powerful for older adults who may be experiencing cognitive decline, impaired vision, or mobility issues. Through this innovative technology, seniors can explore the world, experience things they may no longer have the physical ability to do, and interact with family and friends. Supported by funding from the Sturgis Area Community Foundation, Thurston Woods Village is excited to provide residents with the opportunity to embark on these exciting virtual journeys.
Recent Grant
Doyle Community Center
MMA Floor Renovations
At the Doyle Community Center, they believe that everyone deserves a safe and welcoming place for recreational activities and fitness. With over a decade under its belt, the MMA class has become a staple of the center. The program is diverse, welcoming everyone from teenagers to retirees, competitive fighters, and those simply seeking something different for their workout. While the program has achieved immense success and gained tremendous support, the current state of the training room floor requires improvement. Without it, the space hinders the program's growth and endangers members' health and safety. The Sturgis Area Community Foundation has granted the Doyle Center the funds needed to renovate the space to meet modern standards and keep the MMA program thriving. With these changes, the center can continue to offer a safe and enjoyable space for residents in the Sturgis area.
Recent Grant
City of Sturgis DDA
Bringing Communities Together in Downtown Sturgis
The City of Sturgis Downtown Development Authority is focused on enriching the cultural and commercial aspects of downtown Sturgis. Its mission is to bring communities together, providing an inclusive gathering place where all residents of diverse backgrounds and ages can come together. The Sturgis Area Community Foundation has awarded the DDA with a grant to support two main events: “Art Around Town 2023” and “Movies on North”. “Art Around Town 2023” aims to display the best of local artists' 2D medium pieces throughout downtown Sturgis. These pieces will be carefully chosen and blown up, turning the area into an outdoor art gallery. Meanwhile, “Movies on North” offers a monthly free movie showing on a big-screen truck for everyone to enjoy - a perfect opportunity to bring family and friends together while soaking up some cinematic entertainment. These events are testimony of the City of Sturgis Downtown Development Authority's dedication to enhancing the city's vibrancy in a creative and inclusive way.
Recent Grant
Youth For Christ of Southwest Michigan
Youth Center Renovations
Youth For Christ (YFC) of Southwest Michigan has been a safe haven for local youth in the Sturgis area communities since 1986. With their Campus Life programs, they have successfully reached over 900 teenagers in the last year alone, and their attendance continues to grow. YFC is always on the lookout for opportunities to expand and renovate the Youth Center to better serve students. Recently, the Sturgis Area Community Foundation has generously supported their latest project, which includes the installation of a new single-use bathroom that is handicap accessible. This new addition is crucial for YFC to accommodate every student attending Campus Life activities. By building relationships with these students at pivotal moments, YFC is making a positive impact on the lives of local youth.
Recent Grant
CASA of Southwest Michigan
Advocacy for Children in St. Joseph County
The Court Appointed Special Advocacy (CASA) program of Southwest Michigan is a vital resource for abused and neglected children who are looking for a way out of foster care and into a safe, permanent home. With volunteers at CASA, the program is able to provide the court with solid recommendations about where the children they represent should live permanently. This involves careful communication and coordination with multiple parties, including foster and biological parents, CPS caseworkers, and court-appointed attorneys. Unfortunately, the pandemic has made identifying cases of child abuse more challenging, resulting in increased numbers of children needing the support of the CASA program. Fortunately, Sturgis Area Community Foundation is here to lend a hand, supporting CASA's internal needs and helping to fund the training requirements as the program seeks to help more children in need.
Recent Grant
Watershed Voice
Community News Coalition
Local news coverage has steadily declined over the years, leaving communities uninformed and underserved about important issues affecting their daily lives. As a result, many neighborhoods, rural areas, and issue-based communities have become news deserts. Watershed Voice aims to change this by providing credible and reliable local news and cultural coverage to communities across Southwest Michigan. Thanks to the support from the Sturgis Area Community Foundation, Watershed Voice is able to expand its staff and uphold its values of substantive reporting, quality over quantity, equity, and community. By continuing to prioritize these values, Watershed Voice is filling a much-needed gap in local news coverage and ensuring that these communities have access to the information they need to be active members of their community.
Upcoming Events
RSVP ClosedTue, Aug 20SturgisAug 20, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PMSturgis, 21050 US-12, Sturgis, MI 49091, USAAug 20, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PMSturgis, 21050 US-12, Sturgis, MI 49091, USA100 Women Who Care is a group of local women who care deeply about impacting their community. This group will gather over dinner, where each woman gives $100. Your $100 gift gives you one vote toward selecting a nonprofit recipient for the combined group gift of up $10,000.
RSVP ClosedTue, Jul 25SturgisJul 25, 2023, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PMSturgis, 21050 US-12, Sturgis, MI 49091, USAJul 25, 2023, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PMSturgis, 21050 US-12, Sturgis, MI 49091, USA100 Women Who Care is a group of local women who care deeply about impacting their community. This group will gather over dinner, where each woman gives $100. Your $100 gift gives you one vote toward selecting a nonprofit recipient for the combined group gift of up $10,000.
RSVP ClosedFri, May 26SturgisMay 26, 2023, 11:00 AMSturgis, 21050 US-12, Sturgis, MI 49091, USA
Multiple DatesFri, Sep 16North Street Between US 12 & John StreetSep 16, 2022, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMNorth Street Between US 12 & John Street, Sturgis, MI 49091, USA
Multiple DatesWed, Aug 31Online Event, ZoomAug 31, 2022, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PMOnline Event, ZoomAug 31, 2022, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PMOnline Event, ZoomWe're launching a new grant application in September. Join us via Zoom for one of four available information sessions with SACF staff. Learn how to apply for grants using the new application. We'll also talk about upcoming grant opportunities and new streamlined micro-grants for requests up to $5K.
RSVP ClosedFri, Aug 05Sturges-Young Center for the ArtsAug 05, 2022, 7:00 PMSturges-Young Center for the Arts, 201 N Nottawa St, Sturgis, MI 49091, USAAug 05, 2022, 7:00 PMSturges-Young Center for the Arts, 201 N Nottawa St, Sturgis, MI 49091, USAOn Friday night, August 5th, our town will come together to celebrate its history of benevolence. We'll see several films, listen to guest speakers, and watch historical characters of our past come alive on stage – all in honor of our long tradition of giving. Get your tickets now!
Mon, Jul 04Constantine Little League FieldsJul 04, 2022, 7:00 PMConstantine Little League Fields, Constantine, MI 49042, USA
RSVP ClosedSat, Jun 25Sturgis American LegionJun 25, 2022, 9:00 AMSturgis American Legion, 500 W Chicago Rd, Sturgis, MI 49091, USA- RSVP ClosedFri, May 27Klinger Lake Country ClubMay 27, 2022, 11:00 AMKlinger Lake Country Club, 21050 US-12, Sturgis, MI 49091, USA
Fri, Sep 17Location is TBDSep 17, 2021, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMLocation is TBD
RSVP ClosedSat, Aug 21SturgisAug 21, 2021, 9:00 AM EDTSturgis, 201 N Nottawa St, Sturgis, MI 49091, USAAug 21, 2021, 9:00 AM EDTSturgis, 201 N Nottawa St, Sturgis, MI 49091, USAForm your team and enter the Battle on the Blacktop, a free 3-on-3 basketball tournament open to middle school, high school and adult players. Cash prizes will be offered to winning teams in each age group at this Sturgis Fest All Sports Day event.
Fri, Aug 13Location is TBDAug 13, 2021, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMLocation is TBD
Fri, Jul 16Location is TBDJul 16, 2021, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMLocation is TBD
RSVP ClosedTue, Jun 22SturgisJun 22, 2021, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PMSturgis, 201 N Nottawa St, Sturgis, MI 49091, USA
RSVP ClosedWed, May 26OnlineMay 26, 2021, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDTOnlineMay 26, 2021, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDTOnlineJoin us for a spring tax seminar: Taxes, Charitable Giving, and the New Normal presented by David Bennet, Community Foundation Research and Institute. Sponsored by Branch County Community Foundation, Sturgis Area Community Foundation, and Three Rivers Area Community Foundation
RSVP ClosedFri, Apr 30Sturges-Young Center for the ArtsApr 30, 2021, 7:00 PM EDTSturges-Young Center for the Arts, 201 N Nottawa St, Sturgis, MI 49091, USAApr 30, 2021, 7:00 PM EDTSturges-Young Center for the Arts, 201 N Nottawa St, Sturgis, MI 49091, USAJoin us at the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts on Friday, April 30, at 7PM for a a kickoff celebration and film screening of the classic 1987 coming-of-age romance, Dirty Dancing, as we announce the launch of our latest Road to Restoration campaign.
News & Updates
Youth Advisory Council is currently accepting proposals!
Applications are due September 13.
Change happens when bold leadership meets opportunity. Our Community Foundation is dedicated to addressing our communities’ most challenging issues and providing hope for the future. By bringing together the dedication of community members and the generosity of philanthropic partners, we work to be a center for progress and a catalyst for change.
Igniting passion for transformational change
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