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MOMENTUM FOR TOMORROW
June was a month of both reflection and new beginnings for our family.
Over the past few weeks, we traveled to New York to celebrate my father's life alongside family and friends. It was a beautiful reminder that a person's greatest legacy isn't measured by what they leave behind, but by the lives they touch. We also had the opportunity to reconnect with dear friends in Connecticut - friendships that, despite the years and miles, continue to shape who we are today.
Shortly after returning home, our family was reminded just how quickly life can change when my husband unexpectedly required emergency surgery. Thankfully, he is recovering well, and the experience left us with a renewed appreciation for the incredible healthcare professionals who care for others every day, as well as the many friends and family members who surrounded us with encouragement and support.
Before we could catch our breath, our attention turned to another milestone: helping our daughter move out of state as she begins medical school on July 6. Like so many families across Allegan County, we're experiencing the mixture of pride, excitement, and just a little uncertainty that comes with watching someone you love take the next step toward their future. We were able to stop at Gateway Arch National Park - a perfect symbol as she moves west to chase her dreams.
These moments have reminded me that life is always moving forward. We honor those who came before us while investing in those who will carry the future. Legacy and opportunity are not separate ideas - they are deeply connected.
That connection is reflected throughout this month's newsletter.
You'll read about students receiving scholarships as they begin new chapters, children building brighter futures through My Future Fund, generous donors creating lasting impact through the Now & Forever Fund, and community partners working together to strengthen Allegan County. Every story is another example of people choosing to invest in something that will outlast them.
At the Allegan County Community Foundation, we believe that today's generosity becomes tomorrow's opportunity. Whether you establish a fund, support a scholarship, volunteer your time, or simply champion the work happening throughout our county, you are helping write the next chapter of Allegan County's story.
Thank you for being part of that story. Together, we are creating opportunities today while building a stronger community for generations to come.
With deep appreciation,
Stephanie
President/CEO
P.S. If you'd like to be part of creating opportunities now while building a lasting legacy for Allegan County, I invite you to consider supporting our Now & Forever Fund. Every gift helps meet today's community needs while strengthening our county for generations to come.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT ACCF
Who we are, what we do, and how we do it.
Meet longtime Allegan County Community Foundation supporters Bill Baillargeon and Brent Leonard as they share why giving back matters to them. Discover how ACCF helps donors turn their philanthropic hopes into meaningful action - creating impact today while building a stronger Allegan County - now and forever.
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Fennville Opens a New Community Gathering Space
Downtown Fennville has a fun new place for neighbors to gather, celebrate, and connect.
In June, the community celebrated the grand opening of City Square Park with live music, family activities, and the dedication of its new covered amphitheater, splash pad, and library patio. The celebration also kicked off the 2026 City Music Hall Series, bringing free concerts to City Square throughout the summer.
The Allegan County Community Foundation was proud to support this exciting project through a Community Legacy Grant and a grant from our TAG Team's Youth Fund to support the Gemini Band children's concert during the grand opening.
City Square is the result of an extraordinary community effort. Residents, businesses, organizations, and public partners worked together to transform a vacant downtown lot into a welcoming space that will serve families, support local businesses, and create opportunities for connection for years to come.
Now City Square is more than a park: it's a reflection of what can happen when a community comes together around a shared vision. We are proud to have supported this community effort and grateful to everyone who helped bring this project to life. We're looking forward to seeing the memories, traditions, and community celebrations that will grow from this special place.
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The Allegan County Community Foundation office will be closed July 6–10 as our team takes time to celebrate the holiday and enjoy time with family and friends.
We wish everyone a safe, happy, and relaxing week filled with summer fun and memorable moments. Thank you for being part of our community, we look forward to reconnecting with you when we return on July 13.
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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, attendees will learn how to build scenario-based strategies that can guide their organization through disruption and change. This workshop will teach individuals to craft meaningful scenarios, explore their impact across key organizational functions, and make decisions that align with your 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.
• Part 1: Overview
Defining and understanding scenario planning and its role in effective management,
including in times of crisis
• Part 2: Exercises
Applying through practice hands-on, scenario-planning exercises that demonstrate the
impact of financial and programmatic shifts
• Part 3: Tools & Takeaways
Date: Thursday, November 12th, 2026
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Location: Allegan Area ESA - 310 Thomas Street, Allegan
40 spots available
Tickets are $100
Lunch is included
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Looking to Make a Difference in Allegan County?
Do you believe in the power of philanthropy to bring people together and spark lasting change? Are you passionate about creating opportunities and tackling challenges that impact our entire community?
We need leaders like you.
The Allegan County Community Foundation is seeking individuals who want to make a meaningful, long-term impact on the region we all call home. Whether you're interested in serving on our Board of Directors, joining a committee, or contributing your time and talent as a volunteer, there’s a place for you here.
If you're ready to use your unique skills to support the greater good, we’d love to connect. Please apply below.
Together, we can positively impact Allegan County.
| | ALLEGAN COUNTY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM | | |
The 2025–2026 cohort of the Allegan County Leadership Program concluded in June with a graduation celebration at The Lynx Golf Course, where participants were recognized and awarded certificates in honor of their commitment to this nine-month leadership experience.
Throughout the program, the cohort participated in a variety of themed sessions covering topics such as poverty awareness, emergency services, economic development, and arts and culture. By dedicating one full day each month to learning, collaboration, and personal growth, these emerging leaders gained valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges facing Allegan County.
Congratulations to our graduates! We look forward to seeing the positive impact they will continue to make in our communities.
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Hidden inside all the coverage around the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act that was recently passed were key changes to the Rural Housing Service Reform Act.
This Act, which focuses specifically on the unique needs of rural communities was long overdue for revision.
Key changes include continuing rental assistance and funds for the refurbishment and revitalization of existing multifamily housing.
Both the need for more affordable multifamily housing and the fact that the majority of the county’s current housing stock is older were specifically mentioned in the Foundation-led 2023 Housing Study. The ability to keep our neighbors safe and secure while working to develop the new mixture of housing we need is vital, especially to our senior community.
We look forward to this passed legislation becoming law and working on implementing it with our community and regional partners.
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June was an exciting month for the Allegan County Community Foundation (ACCF) and our My Future Fund program!
We attended all three summer reading kick-off events hosted by the Allegan District Library, Fennville District Library, and Ransom District Library. These well-attended community events provided a great opportunity to connect with local families as they launched their summer reading activities.
During the events, our Youth Services Coordinator engaged students and families through a fun, interactive giveaway of 240 “dinosaur eggs,” helping spark excitement for reading and learning throughout the summer. Alongside these activities, families received information about My Future Fund and the benefits of Children’s Savings Accounts, including how early savings and financial education can support long-term educational goals.
We are grateful for our strong library partnerships and look forward to continuing outreach efforts that connect families with financial literacy resources and opportunities for their children’s future success.
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The Barton and Sheila Shaw Allegan Legal Assistance Scholarship Fund was established in 2026 to support Allegan County students pursuing studies in law. Barton and his late wife, Sheila, were proud to call Allegan County home for more than 50 years. To them, volunteering was more than a way to give back, it was an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the community and the people within it. Through those experiences, they came to believe that everyone is called to serve their community in different ways.
Bart worked for TruHeat for 37 years, during which time the company proudly supported numerous community initiatives through charitable giving. His passion for community engagement began when he joined the Board for the Allegan County Substance Abuse and Prevention Coalition. In the years that followed, Bart became deeply involved in Allegan County’s criminal justice and community support systems, serving on a variety of planning committees related to corrections, jail operations, and countywide public safety efforts. His leadership roles included chairing the Allegan County Sheriff’s Community Relations Advisory Board and contributing to organizations such as the Community Corrections Advisory Board and the Allegan Alliance for Safer Communities. He also worked closely with the Prosecutor’s Office as a victim advocate and supported prevention efforts related to substance abuse and impaired driving.
In 2011, Bart partnered with Judge Margaret Bakker, Professor Nelson Miller, the Community Safety Group, and the Grand Rapids Cooley Law School Pro Bono Group to establish the Allegan County Legal Assistance Center (ACLAC) as a nonprofit organization. Soon after, ACLAC became a reality and continues to serve as a valuable hub of legal information and self-help resources for Allegan County residents.
Beyond his work in the justice system, Bart has remained an active community leader, serving on boards and committees for organizations including United Way and Sylvia’s Place, but he is especially proud of his work with the Allegan Sports Complex. Bart lead a committee of by fundraisers for the 60+ acre complex, and says that it is something that he and the Allegan community can showcase with pride in perpetuity.
Sheila was equally dedicated to serving the Allegan community. She supported fundraising efforts for Wings of Hope Hospice, served as a judge for the Allegan County Fair Parade, and helped decorate fair booths for the Sheriff’s Office and the Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce. She also played an active role in organizing the Allegan Parks Garden Tours and Allegan General Hospital Home Tours and was instrumental in launching the downtown Allegan flower plantings.
Bart and Sheila’s lifelong commitment to service, public safety, and community well-being is reflected in the creation of this scholarship fund, which supports local students pursuing careers in law.
The scholarship is awarded to eligible Allegan County students attending accredited colleges or universities in Michigan. In addition to supporting students with aspirations in the legal field, the fund was also established to assist interns of the Allegan County Legal Assistance Center. Preference may be given to current or former ACLAC interns in recognition of their commitment to community service. Through this scholarship, the Shaw family hopes to strengthen access to legal services in Allegan County by investing in the education and professional development of future legal professionals.
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We hope you're enjoying all that Michigan summers have to offer! From beaches to blueberries, it’s a great time of year to be here. This season, we're sharing a few ideas to help you make the most of your philanthropy: from bringing your donor-advised fund closer to home, to inspiring the next generation of generous leaders, to taking a fresh look at your charitable plans. We hope these resources encourage meaningful conversations and help you continue making a lasting impact in our community.
As always, thank you for allowing us to be part of your philanthropic journey. It's our privilege to partner with you in strengthening Allegan County.
| | BRINGING YOUR DONOR-ADVISED FUND CLOSER TO HOME | | Many people begin their charitable giving journey by opening a donor-advised fund through a national charitable sponsor or commercial provider. These funds are a wonderful way to simplify giving while supporting the causes that matter most. | | GROWING THE NEXT GENERATION OF GENEROUS LEADERS | | |
One of the questions we hear most often at the Allegan County Community Foundation isn't about charitable giving, it's about family.
Parents and grandparents often tell us they want to pass along more than financial resources. They want to share the values that have shaped their lives: compassion, generosity, and a commitment to making our community stronger.
| | IS IT TIME TO REVISIT YOUR CHARITABLE PLAN? | | Life has a way of changing when we least expect it. Families grow, careers evolve, retirement arrives, and new opportunities (and new challenges) emerge in our communities. As John Lennon pointed out, “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.” | | 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 event's to it - for free!
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