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BUILDING WHAT COMES NEXT
October always feels like a season of transition. The leaves are changing, another year is beginning to wind down, and our thoughts naturally start turning toward what comes next.
It’s fitting that October is also National Financial Planning Month, a yearly reminder to take a closer look at our financial goals, habits, and plans before the end of the year. It’s a chance to ask: Are we prepared for where we want to go? Are the decisions we’re making today helping us build the future we envision?
Those are questions we think about every day at the Allegan County Community Foundation, not just financially, but for our entire community.
Throughout this newsletter, you’ll see examples of what it means to build what comes next. Our TAG Team is beginning a new year of youth leadership. My Future Fund students are learning to save and plan for their futures. A new cohort of the Allegan County Leadership Program is preparing to better understand and serve our community. We’re listening to residents as we work toward housing solutions, launching a new Community Health Improvement Plan, and creating more flexible grant opportunities for the nonprofits doing important work throughout Allegan County.
We’re also exploring new ways to put charitable dollars to work locally through the Building Allegan County Fund and impact investing, creating resources that can be invested, returned, and reinvested in solutions for our community.
And as we approach year-end, planning matters for each of us personally, too.
This is a great time to talk with your financial, tax, or estate planning advisor about your goals for the future. Whether you are considering a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA, reviewing beneficiary designations, thinking about year-end giving, or considering the legacy you want to leave, those conversations can help ensure your financial plans reflect what matters most to you.
ACCF can be part of that conversation.
We are happy to work alongside you and your professional advisors to explore charitable strategies that help you accomplish your goals while supporting the organizations, communities, and causes you care about.
Because whether we’re helping a child save their first few dollars, supporting a nonprofit’s next great idea, investing in housing, or helping a family create a charitable legacy, the work is really about the same thing: Making thoughtful choices today that help build a stronger tomorrow.
I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter and I hope it inspires you to think about what you want to build next.
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Stephanie Calhoun
President/CEO
P.S. I hope to see you at our November Celebration, A Growing Legacy. I’ll be sharing a few fun stories and even a few gifts from my grandma as we celebrate the legacies our neighbors are planting for future generations.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT ACCF
Who we are, what we do, and how we do it.
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BREAKFAST & LEARN
Allegan County Community Foundation invites you to join us for
TOP 10 CHARITABLE TRENDS
EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW IN 2026
Featuring Guest Speaker
BRYAN CLONTZ
Thursday, October 22, 2026
8:00 – 10:00 AM
The Silo
1971 32nd Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Charitable planning is changing. Are you keeping up?
The charitable planning landscape continues to evolve, and understanding what’s changing can help advisors better serve their clients while creating greater charitable impact.
Join us for breakfast and an engaging conversation with nationally recognized charitable planning expert Bryan Clontz as he explores the Top 10 Charitable Trends Everyone Should Know in 2026.
We’ll explore questions including:
- What charitable vehicles and assets are gaining momentum?
- How will changing demographics reshape charitable planning?
- How well are advisors engaging clients in charitable conversations?
- How are advisors and charities navigating the abundance of charitable planning information?
These are just a few of the provocative topics Bryan will unpack during this timely and practical presentation.
BREAKFAST • INSIGHTS • CONVERSATION
Complimentary breakfast | Registration required
Presented by
Allegan County Community Foundation
Helping advisors connect charitable goals with lasting community impact.
| | Come to this FREE workshop on Wednesday November 4th from 10:00am-11:30am at Christian Neighbors SE (Plainwell). | |
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6:00 PM – Rooted in Community
Cocktails, conversation, and connection as we celebrate the people and generosity that have helped ACCF take root and grow.
7:00 PM – Growing Together
Gather around the table for dinner and stories of the generosity that is creating opportunities and strengthening Allegan County today.
8:00 PM – What Will Your Legacy Be?
Look ahead with us as we celebrate what we’re growing together - and the lasting impact each of us can plant for generations to come.
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From Scenarios to Strategy: Introduction to Scenario Planning
This workshop is designed to help nonprofit leaders prepare for an uncertain future. Through hands-on exercises, expert insights, and real-world case studies, participants will learn how to build scenario-based strategies that can guide their organization through disruption and change. Participants will learn to craft meaningful scenarios, explore their impact across key organizational functions, and make decisions that align with their organization’s mission and values.
Whether you’re facing economic shifts, changing community needs, or operational challenges, this session will empower individuals to approach the future with clarity and confidence.
Limited spots available
Tickets are $100
Lunch is included
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The TAG Team kicked off the year in September during their first official meeting! Students from high schools across Allegan County spent their first meeting getting to know one another, sharing what’s happening at their schools, and learning about the different initiatives and opportunities in their communities.
They also got creative with a team-building activity, using Play-Doh and a variety of tools to build something that represented themselves. The activity gave students a fun way to share a little about who they are while getting to know their fellow TAG Team members.
The group then looked ahead to the year, setting goals and talking about the issues they want to focus on, projects they’d like to take on, and ways they can make a difference through TAG Team.
We’re excited to see where their ideas take them this year!
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Our first Deposit Day of the school year was a success! Students across all of our My Future Fund districts visited us to make deposits, with more than 20 students visiting us to add to their savings.
In celebration of National Savings Day on October 12, we’re partnering with local libraries to bring families a fun way to practice saving, math, and financial literacy.
The library is under attack! Join the Allegan County Community Foundation for Dragon Tamers: The Great Library Escape - a family adventure where you'll solve puzzles, practice financial literacy and math skills, tame dragons, and save the library!
And there’s a little extra incentive to: My Future Fund students who participate will receive $5 deposited into their My Future Fund savings account.
Upcoming library events:
Allegan District Library: Monday, October 5 | 1–2 p.m.
Fennville District Library: Tuesday, October 13 | 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Ransom District Library (Plainwell): Wednesday, October 14 | 4–4:45 p.m.
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Our community showed up for Give Like Dolly Day, helping raise $1,426 to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Allegan County!
That will help provide nearly 475 books to local children. Every dollar raised helps keep free, age-appropriate books arriving in the mailboxes of children across Allegan County.
Through the program, children from birth to age five receive a new, carefully selected book in the mail every month, building home libraries and helping foster a love of reading from an early age. Today, approximately 3,500 Allegan County children receive a book each month.
Thank you to everyone who helped make Give like Dolly Day a success and continues to help us keep the books coming!
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ACCF is excited to launch the third cohort of the Allegan County Leadership Program (ACLP) this month on October 7th! This dynamic nine-month program offers emerging leaders from various sectors a comprehensive understanding of key community issues, challenges, and solutions.
Through site visits and conversations with local businesses, leaders, nonprofits, and community members, ACLP supports leadership development, essential for building sustainable, healthy communities. We are excited to welcome 13 participants to the 2026-2027 cohort!
Interested in sponsoring a session? There are still Leadership Day Sponsorships available! Check out our sponsorship menu below or contact lvanderploeg@alleganfoundation.org to learn more.
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The numbers tell part of the story. We want to hear the rest.
The Michigan League for Public Policy’s annual Kids Count report shows that nearly 10,000 Allegan County residents are spending more than 30% of their income on housing. For many, that can mean being just one unexpected expense away from losing stable housing.
As the Allegan County Community Foundation works with partners to address our county’s housing shortage, we know the numbers only tell part of the story. Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a lived experience.
Have you experienced housing in Allegan County in any way, whether as a renter, homeowner, someone looking for housing, or someone who has struggled to find or maintain a place to live? We want to hear from you. Your response will remain confidential and help us better understand the people behind the numbers as we work toward solutions for our community.
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Announcing Changes to the Community Grants & TAG Team Youth Grants Cycles!
More opportunities. More flexibility. More time to plan.
We’re excited to announce some changes coming to two of our most competitive grant programs beginning with the 2027 funding year!
Starting in 2027, Community Grants will expand from one annual cycle to three, and TAG Team Youth Grants will expand from one annual cycle to two.
We made these changes based on feedback from our nonprofit partners and a desire to provide more flexibility in when organizations can request funding. We recognize that a once-a-year grant cycle doesn’t always align with the timing of your projects, programs, or organizational needs. By offering additional opportunities throughout the year, we hope to give you more flexibility when planning your funding requests.
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Community Grants
Beginning in 2027, Community Grant applications will be accepted during three funding cycles throughout the year, rather than just once annually.
This means you’ll have more opportunities to apply when the timing makes sense for your organization and project.
Even better, if your application is recommended for funding but is not funded due to the competitiveness of the cycle, ACCF may offer you the opportunity to roll your application into the next funding cycle for consideration. This means you may not need to start the application process over for the same project or program.
2027 Community Grant Cycles
Cycle #1
Application Open: December 1, 2026 – February 15, 2027
Funds Awarded: April 1, 2027
Cycle #2
Application Open: February 16 – June 15, 2027
Funds Awarded: August 1, 2027
Cycle #3
Application Open: June 16 – October 15, 2027
Funds Awarded: December 1, 2027
Applications will be available beginning December 1, 2026.
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TAG Team Youth Grants
We’re also excited to announce the addition of a second TAG Team Youth Grant cycle!
TAG Team Youth Grants will now offer two application opportunities each year, giving organizations additional flexibility when seeking funding for programs and projects that support Allegan County youth.
Unlike Community Grants, TAG Team Youth Grants will not operate on a rolling basis. Applications must be submitted during one of the two designated application windows.
2027 TAG Team Youth Grant Cycles
Cycle #1
Application Open: October 15 – November 15, 2026
Funds Awarded: February 1, 2027
Cycle #2
Application Open: April 15 – May 15, 2027
Funds Awarded: July 1, 2027
We hope these changes make our grant opportunities more accessible and flexible for our nonprofit partners. We’re grateful for the work you do to positively impact Allegan County and look forward to continuing to partner with you to support our community.
Stay tuned for additional information about the 2027 grant cycles, including application details and funding priorities!
Please note: Organizations may still only receive one award per calendar year. The addition of cycles is intended to provide additional opportunities to apply throughout the year, not multiple funding awards from the same cycle within the same calendar year.
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The 2026 Allegan County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is here!
After months of collaboration, community input, and thoughtful planning, the 2026 CHIP is officially published!
The CHIP provides a shared roadmap for advancing health and quality of life across Allegan County, with a focus on Housing Stability, Health Education & Navigation, Food Security, and Digital Literacy & Access.
We’re excited to officially debut the 2026 CHIP to community partners at ACCF’s MACC General Meeting on Wednesday, September 23rd, where we’ll explore the priorities and begin dreaming big about opportunities for collaboration and collective action.
The CHIP is more than a plan. It’s a roadmap to create meaningful, lasting change across Allegan County. We’re excited for what’s ahead!
Explore the 2026 CHIP and learn how you can be part of the work!
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The Building Allegan County Fund gives donors an opportunity to invest in the future of Allegan County in a new and powerful way. Gifts to the fund help expand the Allegan County Community Foundation’s impact investing efforts, putting charitable dollars to work locally in projects that address critical community needs while creating lasting impact.
Through impact investing, ACCF can invest directly in opportunities such as housing, community development, nonprofit facilities, and other projects that strengthen Allegan County. As investments are repaid, those dollars can be reinvested in future projects, allowing one charitable gift to make a difference again and again.
The Building Allegan County Fund helps us move beyond simply funding good work to investing in solutions that build a stronger Allegan County - now and forever.
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SPONSORSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES
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Partnership with a Purpose
Put your partnership into action by sponsoring A Growing Legacy, ACCF’s Annual Celebration on November 5, 2026.
Event proceeds will support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Allegan County, providing books each month to more than 3,500 local children.
Your sponsorship helps make the celebration possible while investing in early literacy and the next generation of Allegan County.
Become a sponsor and help us grow a legacy - one book, one child, one future at a time.
For sponsorship information, contact Stacy Todd, Community Connections Manager.
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Your IRA can help provide for your future, but did you know it can also be a meaningful way to support the people, organizations, and causes you care about?
We know the rules around QCDs, beneficiary designations, and charitable giving can feel a little overwhelming. That’s why we’ve gathered five things to know, plus a reminder that you don’t have to navigate it alone. ACCF is here to help you explore your options and work alongside you and your advisors to make your giving go further.
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When you’ve supported an organization for years, trust becomes part of the relationship. You’ve seen the work, know the people, and understand the difference they’re making in our community.
Sometimes, the best way to help is simply to ask, “What do you need most?” From unrestricted gifts to longer-term commitments, trust-based philanthropy is about listening, learning, and giving nonprofits the flexibility to respond to what’s happening on the ground.
Learn how ACCF can help you build stronger relationships with the organizations and causes you care about.
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The end of the year will be here before we know it, and with it comes a flood of charitable giving reminders and tax tips. How do you know what’s worth paying attention to?
From choosing the right assets to give to understanding new 2026 tax rules and making the most of your IRA, a little planning can go a long way. We’ve pulled together five things to consider as you think about your year-end giving, along with ways ACCF can help.
| | Thank you for allowing us to be part of your philanthropic journey. Your generosity helps create opportunities, strengthen nonprofits, and improve lives throughout Allegan County. We are honored to partner with you in this important work and look forward to helping you make an even greater impact in the months and years ahead. | | Please support our work by donating to the NOW and For Ever Fund. When you give, you invest in both the present and the future of Allegan County. Half of every gift provides flexible funding to address today's greatest opportunities and challenges through grants and community initiatives, while the other half is permanently invested to create a lasting source of support for generations to come. Your generosity helps strengthen our communities today and ensures resources will be available to meet tomorrow's needs - creating impact now and forever. | | |
Want to hear about the incredible work our nonprofit partners are doing in the community? Check out our Nonprofit Spotlight!
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Don't forget to check out our Community Calendar for upcoming events and opportunities in Allegan County! It's a great resource for staying informed and getting involved. You can also add your group or business events to it - for free!
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