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INVESTING IN POTENTIAL.
As I write this, our family is celebrating a milestone that many of you know well - watching a child graduate from high school and step into the next chapter of life.
This season is filled with excitement, uncertainty, pride, and possibility. As parents, grandparents, mentors, and community members, we spend years helping young people prepare for their future, knowing that their potential is far greater than any one moment can capture.
At ACCF, we believe that investing in young people is one of the most powerful ways we can strengthen our communities - both now and forever. This year, through the generosity of donors who established scholarship funds, we will help students across Allegan County pursue college, skilled trades, certification programs, and other educational opportunities. These scholarships are more than financial support; they are a vote of confidence from a community that believes in their dreams and wants to see them succeed.
That same belief inspired the creation of My Future Fund. Through this initiative, local students are building savings, learning financial skills, and beginning to see themselves as future college students, business owners, skilled trades professionals, and community leaders. By helping children connect today's actions with tomorrow's opportunities, we are planting seeds of possibility that can grow for years to come.
The future holds incredible potential for Allegan County. Every scholarship awarded, every dollar saved, every caring adult who invests in a young person's success helps create a stronger community for generations to come.
Thank you for being part of that work. Your generosity, encouragement, and belief in our young people are helping shape a future filled with opportunity.
With deep appreciation,
Stephanie
President/CEO
P.S. Please be on the lookout for information about an upcoming community clean-up day as we continue supporting families impacted by this series of storms. Together, we can continue helping our neighbors recover and rebuild.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT ACCF
Who we are, what we do, and how we do it.
What does a community foundation really do?
At the Allegan County Community Foundation, we connect generosity to purpose. We transform charitable gifts into real, measurable impact, responding to community needs today while planning for tomorrow.
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The exhibit features the works of local artists Theresa Frank, Ella Sue Schneider, and Linda Enzinger of Brave Art Studios and Gallery.
Come visit us during Fork in the Road on Monday, June 15th, to see our new art exhibit in our office - 112 Locust Street, Allegan. We'll be here to welcome you, 5-7pm.
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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.
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2026 Community Grants deadline coming soon!! Grants opened on May 15th and are due by June 15th. Please visit alleganfoundation.org/grants for more information on funding priorities and to access the grant portal.
Contact grants@alleganfoundation.org with questions.
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The 2026 Housing Summit was an inspiring day of connection, learning, and collaboration. And in short, it was amazing!
On May 8, 2026, 88 housing advocates, elected officials, municipal staff, and representatives from the banking and real estate sectors gathered at The Griswold to explore solutions to one of Allegan County's most pressing challenges: a housing shortage of approximately 4,600 units.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in conversations about zoning and Allegan County's inclusion in the National Zoning Atlas, innovative approaches to workforce housing, advancements in manufactured and modular housing, and how local governments can foster community engagement and build momentum for housing solutions.
What stood out most was the energy in the room. Each session sparked thoughtful discussion, meaningful questions, and the sharing of ideas and experiences. It was encouraging to see so many people from different sectors come together with a common goal: creating more housing opportunities and strengthening communities across Allegan County.
Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to the conversation. The commitment, creativity, and collaboration demonstrated throughout the day are powerful reminders that meaningful progress happens when communities come together to address challenges and build toward a stronger future.
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ACCF recently completed its first school year sponsoring the My Future Fund program with students across multiple Allegan County school districts, including Allegan Public Schools (West Ward Elementary, Dawson Elementary, and Pine Trails Elementary kindergarteners), Fennville Public Schools (Fennville Elementary School kindergarteners and Fennville Middle School 6th graders), Glenn Public School (kindergarten through 5th grade students), and Plainwell Community Schools (Cooper, Gilkey, and Starr Elementary kindergarteners).
Throughout the 2025–2026 school year, My Future Fund participated in more than 16 community-wide events, including My Future Fund Kick-Off events, district kindergarten roundups, school-based events, and community incentive activities. This spring, ACCF deposited $65 in seed money into 434 Allegan County students’ (FREE) Children’s Savings Accounts through Huntington Bank. Students and families also had opportunities to earn additional $5 incentives for making first-time deposits, participating in school-based incentive activities, and attending community-based activities hosted by the Allegan District Library, Fennville District Library, and Ransom District Library.
Next month, ACCF looks forward to sharing the total amount contributed through incentive deposits, along with funds collected by families during our 32 Deposit Days held across nine participating school buildings this spring
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We’re excited to announce that this year’s scholarship awards totaled $437,567!
This total includes both one-time and renewable scholarships that will support students throughout their educational journeys. Stay tuned for recipient spotlights, scholarship breakdowns, and more!
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As summer begins to unfold, many of us look forward to a change of pace: a chance to reflect, reconnect, and spend time with the people and causes that matter most. It's also a wonderful time to consider the impact your generosity is making across our community.
At ACCF, we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with donors like you who are helping create a stronger, more vibrant Allegan County. Whether you're supporting a favorite nonprofit, involving the next generation in philanthropy, or planning for a lasting charitable legacy, we're here to help you make the most of your giving.
This month, we're sharing ideas and resources to help you strengthen your charitable impact:
| | | | Many donors are discovering new ways to use their donor-advised funds to support the causes they care about, engage family members in philanthropy, and navigate life's important transitions. Explore how a donor-advised fund can grow alongside your charitable goals. | | | | Your attorney, CPA, and financial advisor each play an important role in helping you achieve your goals. Discover how connecting your trusted advisors with the Community Foundation can strengthen collaboration and uncover new opportunities for charitable impact. | | | | How can your giving respond to today's challenges while supporting long-term community well-being? Learn how a thoughtful charitable strategy can help you remain flexible, responsive, and focused on lasting impact. | | 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 Forever 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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