Donate Now

About Us

The Lapeer County Community Foundation

  • Builds and manages permanent endowment funds from a wide variety of donors to provide grants that enhance the quality of life in Lapeer County, now and for future generations.
  • Is a local organization directed by a local volunteer Board of Trustees focusing on local community needs for all of Lapeer County.
  • Is managed locally and known for prudent stewardship and investment practices.
  • Focuses on long-term enhanced community quality of life through endowment funds.

Your Gift to the Lapeer County Community Foundation

  • Can be distributed to a variety of our funds.  It’s simple. It’s efficient.  It stays in Lapeer County!
  • Can enable you to establish your own legacy by creating and naming a fund that represents your interests.  Recommend grants to the nonprofit groups you want to support!

The Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people of Lapeer County. It enables the people of Lapeer County with philanthropic interests to easily and effectively support the issues they care about most — immediately or through their will. Donors may contribute a variety of assets, most of which are eligible for federal tax deductions.

In its 25 year history, the Lapeer County Community Foundation has awarded over $5 million to brighten the lives of many in our community in areas such as education, healthcare, the arts, environment and economy. These grants would not have been possible without your generous donations.

Give today.  Impact tomorrow.

Higher Standards

Lapeer County Community Foundation has recently been reaccredited with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®—the highest standards for philanthropic excellence.

We work to support the causes our community cares about including education, supporting the arts and recreation, economic development, health and human services, public safety, hunger and poverty elimination, the environment, as well as other local needs. National Standards says that we meet the most rigorous standards in philanthropy and is a promise to our community that we’ll continue to do this good work together, right here in Lapeer County.

National Standards is not mandatory. We chose to go above and beyond by affirming our commitment to excellence and accountability. Our accreditation provides assurance that we have sound policies and practices in place. In short, it means we meet the highest standards for local giving.

To receive accreditation with National Standards, Lapeer County Community Foundation submitted our policies and procedures to a rigorous review of 26 National Standards in six key areas of community foundation operations, including donor services, investment management, grantmaking and administration.

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® program was established in 2000 in cooperation with the Council on Foundations. For more information about National Standards, visit www.cfstandards.org.

 

Give today.  Impact tomorrow.

History of the Foundation (1995 – 2015) 

1995-1996:  The fledgling Lapeer County Community Foundation temporarily affiliates with the Community Foundation of Greater Flint with a fund named the Lapeer County Community Fund.  The initial gift to establish this fund was a $20,000 gift from Bob and Lura Myers.  Seven more funds are established.

1997:  Three more funds are added.  $10,000 is received from W. K. Kellogg Foundation to start the Lapeer County Youth Initiative Fund.  A youth grantmakers group, the Youth advisory Committee (YAC) is formed consisting of 7-12 graders from around Lapeer County.  First grants are given, totaling $4,100.  Due to generous support by Lapeer County donors, the market value of Lapeer County Community Fund has quickly grown to $1,121,597.

1998-1999:  Lapeer County Youth Initiative Fund receives $300,000 in Kellogg matching funds, six new funds are added, and over $76,000 is given in grants.  The Lapeer County Community Fund closes out the century with assets of over $2 million.

2000-2001:  The Community Fund receives unrestricted gifts of $500,000 and $2,500,000.  Grants to brighten the lives of Lapeer County residents top $150,000.

2002: With an eye toward hiring an executive director to lead the Foundation in Lapeer, the Lapeer County Community Fund Administrative Endowment was established.

2003-2004: An executive director, Jan Manning, is hired and an office is opened in downtown Lapeer.   Council of Michigan Foundations standards criteria completed.

2005: The Lapeer County Community Foundation declares its independence and a celebration is held at the historic courthouse in downtown Lapeer.  One hundred women establish the Women’s Fund endowment to assist women and their families in the community now and into the future.  LCCF assets are now almost $6.5 million.

2006-2007: The Lapeer County Community Fund Administrative Endowment Fund is renamed the Thomas K. Butterfield Administrative Endowment Fund in memory of the Foundation’s Chair. LCCF is awarded W.K. Kellogg Foundation Access to Recreation Initiative grant of $262,000 to bring universal access to nature concepts to the city of Lapeer’s Prairies and Ponds and Lapeer County’s Torzewski Park.  Envisioning for Lapeer County’s Future is begun in partnership with Lapeer Development Corporation.

2008: The Lapeer County Community Foundation passes the $1 million mark in grants given.

2009-2011: Council on Foundations National Standards is attained. LCCF has 57 funds, ranging in interests from scholarships to service clubs and to cultural, health, education and economic support.

2012: A record breaking year, as the LCCF grants over half a million dollars to the community. A part time Youth Advisor and office assistant is hired.

2013-2015: The YAC reaches an all time record membership of 33.  A $20,000.00 bequest was made from the estate of Marilyn Buchanan. LCCF celebrates 10 years of independence from Community Foundation of Greater Flint.