These values shape and define our company culture

  • Bold
  • Collaborative
  • Inclusive
  • Leaders
  • Ethical
  • Innovative

Our Core Focus

Purpose: Build a more vibrant and prosperous region.

Niche: Leading boldly and engaging community through philanthropy.

The Community Foundation’s strategic fucus runs in three-year cycles and guides all our work. Our current 2025-2027 cycle will be focused on the areas below.

  • Expand Rural Philanthropy
    • Yale Community Fund (2025)
    • Marine City Community Fund (2026)
  • Coastline Communities/Bridge to Bay Corridor (B2B)
    • Increase focus on “anchor projects” – economic anchors which spur visitor spending and attract tourists and visitors on evenings and weekends.
  • Placemaking – anywhere in our region
    • Public Assets and Amenities
    • Multi-use bricks and mortar projects
    • Public Art – local, large scale and regional
    • Trails, trailheads, outdoor recreation projects and facilities – with focus on our smaller and more rural communities
    • Blue Water River Walk – Phase 2 Fishing Pier & rebuild the southern Ferry Dock. Add additional lighting
    • Update master plan for St. Clair Courtyard
  • Workforce & Small Business
    • Continue to focus on post-secondary success: college degrees, skilled trades, certificate programs
    • Emphasis on students at our local community college
    • Increase support for career exploration, especially skilled trades
  • Nonprofit Capacity
    • Pursue increased support for single purpose food and shelter organizations in the short and long term through our evolving basic needs theory
    • Increase our emphasis, support and capacity building work related to our local nonprofits that have endowed funds with the Foundation

Other Areas of Interest

The Foundation manages hundreds of endowed fund and works with 1,000+ annual donors who have a wide and diverse range of interest areas. The majority of the Foundation’s assets have pre-determined goals, objectives and focus areas.

We will always strive to help our donors achieve their individual goals and objectives. Traditionally, these areas of support have included:

  • Early childhood issues and challenges
  • Basic needs for disadvantaged members of our community
  • Support for arts and culture initiatives and growth
  • Programs, projects and initiatives targeting an entire family to help them become self-sufficient and be able to contribute to our region’s growth and prosperity


In addition to making outright grants, the Foundation is currently engaged in these key programs.