ABOUT US
The St. Ignace Area Community Foundation (SIACF) was established in 1995 by a group of concerned citizens who recognized a need and found access to some matching grant funds to enhance the initial contributions to the SIACF. Organized as a member of the Community Foundations of the Upper Peninsula (CFUP), Jack Swope, Fred Stearns, and Dr. A.D. (Don) McKinnon secured an anonymous contribution establishing the Education Enhancement Fund and a contribution from the local American Legion Post establishing the American Legion Fund as the initial Funds within SIACF.
Additional civic organizations, the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, community members and matching grants from the Kellogg Foundation resulted in a number of funds being established and the first awards were made by the SIACF in 1996. Fundraising, memorials, and a key estate contribution have played a key role in helping the SIACF reach today's level of $1.6 million dollars invested that produces annual returns. Only the investment income of SIACF is ever awarded as grants or scholarships preserving the principal forever. A listing of all Funds within SIACF can be viewed under the Funds tab of this site.
All subsequent contributions to the SIACF add to the principal of the various Funds and SIACF as a whole. This principal is never spent and provides the income for SIACF to award grants and scholarships annually. Typical investment returns have provided SIACF with significant monies frequently exceeding $70,000 annually. As the principal balance of our endowed funds grows through additional contributions, this amount will continue to increase.
Annual scholarships to graduating LaSalle High School Seniors and awards to community projects are annually considered each year by the Board Members of SIACF. Local projects financially supported in the past by SIACF include the playgrounds near the St. Ignace Boardwalk, classroom support projects at St. Ignace Area Schools and Moran Township School, athletic equipment, equipment for the St. Ignace Recreation Department, Legacy House, St. Ignace Fireworks and Michilimackinac Historical Society.
SIACF is always seeking additional contributions to grow the principal balance of our Funds, thus creating a larger pool from which to generate income, thus enabling SIACF to support a greater number of needed causes in our area. We gratiously accept any donation from any individual, memorials, gifts from estate trusts or wills. All contributions become "endowed", meaning that they will remain with the principal balance forever. Please see the tab on making contributions to SIACF.
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON
WELCOME TO THE ST. IGNACE AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The St. Ignace Area Community Foundation (SIACF) began operations in 1995 under the guidance of three men – Dr. A. D. “Don” McKinn0n, Mr. Fred Stearns, and Mr. Jack Swope – considered the Founding Fathers of the Foundation. While none of these generous men are with us today, funds within the Foundation memorialize their family name and their work toward establishing our Community Foundation.
Grants and scholarships are only awarded from the earnings on our principal balance thus allowing the SIACF to live on in perpetuity and allowing us to live up to our motto “For Good. For Ever”.
Through contributions from individuals, businesses, and local civic organizations, our Foundation has accumulated over $1.86 million. This principal balance supplies revenue to support the scholarships and grants that have been awarded through the St. Ignace Area Community Foundation.
The purpose of the grants and scholarships, past, current, and future, is to enhance opportunities for our community, our students, and the services we provide to those who visit here. Matching contributions from the Kellogg Foundation in our early years, arranged by our Founding Fathers, contributed significantly to our original principal balance. To date, the SIACF has awarded over $750,000 in grants and scholarships since first awards were made in 1999.
SIACF is an affiliate of the Community Foundations of the Upper Peninsula (CFUP). CFUP currently has eight affiliate members and the legal, investment management, and office support is provided to all affiliates. Collectively, CFUP has over $45 million under management, however all monies generated by the affiliates are accounted and gifted independently. SIACF benefits from collective investment and management by being an affiliate of CFUP.
As we look to the future and we recognize the need to promote and enhance the SIACF, please join us in considering a contribution to one of our funds.
You can donate online by visiting our Donate page or by mailing a check to:
St. Ignace Area Community Foundation
P.O. Box 88
St. Ignace, MI 49781
Thank you for your interest in SIACF and for considering supporting the Foundation with your contribution. Please feel free to contact me via email or phone at any time.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the St. Ignace Area Community Foundation, respectfully yours,
Pete Everson, Chairperson
St. Ignace Area Community Foundation
Phone: 906-440-7303
Email: petereverson1@gmail.com