By Keely Baribeau
The St. Clair Endowment Funds stand as a tribute to local generosity – created by and for the people of St. Clair. Over the years, these funds have touched nearly every part of community life; and behind the funds lies a story of vision, family, and enduring civic pride. It’s the story of two cousins — Frederick and Franklin Moore — whose shared commitment to their hometown helped build one of region’s most meaningful legacies.
The Moore family name has long been woven into St. Clair’s history. Before Fred and Frank, their grandfather, Fred W. Moore, left his mark as a civic leader so respected that 32 Mile Road still bears his name. That sense of responsibility, hard work and giving back, became a family tradition.
Franklin H. Moore Jr.: Visionary Banker and Community Builder
For 24 years Frank Moore Jr. served as President and CEO of The Commercial & Savings Bank. Alongside his father, Franklin Moore Sr., he played a major role in transforming St. Clair’s downtown in 1969, spearheading an ambitious “urban renewal” project that turned the area into an open-air shopping center and revitalized waterfront. That project also gave rise to the city’s beloved river walk, which still draws residents and visitors alike to the St. Clair River.
His passions included the local library, and he helped relocate the St. Clair branch and served as chairman of the library board. He was active in countless local initiatives, always searching for ways to make his hometown stronger and more connected. To those who knew him, Frank embodied what it meant to invest – with time and money – in the future of St. Clair.
“Frank would come to me each fall and ask about projects that needed funding,” recalled Daniel Lockwood, a longtime community volunteer and fund advisor. “He was genuinely interested in how the funds could make the most impact right here at home.”
Fred S. Moore: A Warm Return and a Heart for Community
Fred’s path to community leadership began far from Michigan. A successful real estate developer, he had built a career out west before returning to his hometown in 1986. His ties to St. Clair and to its cornerstone business, Diamond Crystal Salt Company drew him back. As chairman of the board, Fred helped guide the company through its sale, after which he decided to stay in St. Clair, embracing once again the small-town life and the people who welcomed him home.
Fred joined the St. Clair Rotary Club and became deeply involved with the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, following the example of his cousin Frank. He believed strongly in the model of endowed funds.
Fred’s approach to community-building was as personal as it was practical. Each Tuesday, he could be found at LaCroix’s Riverside Pub, where he held casual conversations about community goals and made new friends. His passion and kindness were contagious.
“Fred was known for his generosity,” said Lockwood. “Many of those lunches turned into lifelong connections – and lifelong support for St. Clair.”
Building the St. Clair Endowment Funds
The origins of the St. Clair Endowment Funds trace back to the early 1970s, when Charles F. Moore, Fred’s father, established the CF Moore Fund. When Diamond Crystal was sold Fred created the DSLT Fund from his share of the proceeds. Over time, additional Moore family members created their own endowed funds, all sharing a common goal: to give back to their hometown.
Together, Fred and Frank envisioned something bigger – a family of funds under the umbrella of their local community foundation that would unite donors and ensure lasting impact. They worked closely with the Community Foundation of St. Clair County to make that vision a reality.
Their model proved especially powerful in the 1990s, when the W.K. Kellogg Foundation challenged the Community Foundation of St. Clair County to raise one million dollars, promising to match the total for a youth-managed fund (which became the Youth Advisory Council -YAC). Fred and Frank quickly rallied 20 community members to launch another new fund – the Citizens for St. Clair Fund – to help the Community Foundation meet the match.
Today, the Citizens for St. Clair Fund has grown to almost $800,000 thanks to gifts small and large form local residents. It stands as a perfect reflection of the Moore’s belief that everyone can give back to their hometown.
An Enduring Legacy
Fred passed away in 2013 and Frank in 2018. “Their legacy lives on, every day,” said Randy Maiers, the CEO of the Community Foundation. “We see it everywhere and their philosophy of impact still carries on today with the current board of our St. Clair Endowments.”
The beautiful courtyard at Riverview Plaza in the heart of downtown recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. It’s just the latest in a long-line of community projects that includes nearby Little League fields, parks, waterfront developments and public art.
“There’s a saying,” Lockwood reflected, “that a person dies twice – once physically, and again when their name is spoken for the last time. Through these stories, we keep Fred and Frank’s names – and their generosity – alive.”
The St. Clair Endowment Funds are a testament to what happens when individuals choose to invest in their hometown’s future. Through their foresight and friendship, Fred and Frank Moore ensured that St. Clair will continue to thrive for generations to come.
Inspired to leave a legacy of your own? Contact Jackie Hanton at jackie@stclairfoundation.org or (810)984-4761 to learn more about giving options.