Community Foundation for Oceana County

06/03/2026

Celebrating Community Support for Michigan Farmworkers 🌟

We’re grateful for Lois & Bill Lydens and their generous support of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity's (LEO) request for farmworker hydration backpacks, work gloves, and sun hats. Their contribution goes far beyond supplies — it reflects a commitment to safety and inclusion for the workers who keep Michigan’s agricultural communities thriving.

By helping provide essential gear, this supports healthier working conditions, reducing heat‑related risks, and ensuring farmworkers feel seen and valued. This kind of partnership strengthens our community and reinforces that everyone deserves the tools and protection needed to work safely.🌱

If you'd like to help welcome & support Oceana's farmworkers and their families, we invite you to check out the list of personal, work and household needs via our 2026 Migrant Child Task Force drive - https://tinyurl.com/Task-Force-2026

06/01/2026

This spring round, the Foundation awarded $85,768 in grants to 20 organizations across Oceana County — and today we’re highlighting one of the incredible projects made possible through this community investment. ✨

Oceana County Council on Aging () received a $3,750 grant from the Bessie E. & Ethan Allen Gray Health Fund to support their language access improvement services. These outreach efforts will help address growing community needs and help ensure all older adults can understand, navigate, and participate fully in OCCOA programs. 🤝💙

See the full list of spring grant arounds at https://oceanafoundation.org/grants/ -grant-awards

05/29/2026

🎓 This Fund Friday we’re spotlighting the new Robert & Frances Dice Scholarship Fund!

Robert and Frances Dice believed in service, education, and the importance of giving others a fair opportunity. Robert served in the Merchant Marines before dedicating 32 years as a Michigan conservation officer. Frances worked as a fourth‑grade math teacher, helping students build confidence and lifelong skills📖.

Their son, David Dice, established the Robert & Frances Dice Scholarship in their honor to support graduating seniors, college students, and adult learners with financial need—particularly those who may be overlooked during scholarship selections. Reflecting his parents’ values, David shared, “I’m just hoping that I can make a difference in someone’s life.” ✨

Through this scholarship, their legacy continues by opening doors for students striving to move forward.💙

If you would like to make a contribution, check out our fund catalog: https://godonate.akoyago.com/oceanafoundation/fundcatalog

05/27/2026

Our first group of donations is here — and it’s all thanks to you 💙
These items will soon be in the hands of migrant farmworker families who have just arrived in Oceana County for the agricultural season. Your support is already making a real difference.

Let’s keep itgoing. Every donation helps meet essential needs with care and dignity 🌱✨

Wish List link: https://tinyurl.com/Task-Force-2026
Thank you for showing up for our community.

05/26/2026

Congratulations to our 20 Spring Community Grantees! Today we’re highlighting one of the incredible projects made possible through this community investment.
🌷✨

This season of growth brings exciting news. The Oceana Youth Fund, Mrs. Mullen’s Closet Fund, and the Community Investment Fund (donated by a generous anonymous donor) have awarded $10,260 to the Michigan Dyslexia Institute ().

These spring grants will support scholarships for 12 weeks of individualized Orton‑Gillingham instruction at its new Oceana County center at WSCC's Hart building. Nurturing immediate reading growth while also helping prepare qualified local instructors.

A beautiful way to celebrate learning, opportunity, and brighter futures this spring. 🌼
Check out our grant awards on our website: https://oceanafoundation.org/grants/

05/26/2026

We’re excited to share that applications for the 2026–2027 Leadership Learning Lab (LLL) cohort are now open! 🎉

The LLL is a year‑long professional development program designed for nonprofit and community leaders across Northern Michigan. Participants build skills in adaptive leadership, time management, collaboration, and cross‑sector problem‑solving — all through hands‑on learning, reflection, and meaningful connection with peers.💙🌱

This program strengthens leaders, organizations, and entire communities by creating space to learn, grow, and support one another.

💚Learn more here: https://www.rotarycharities.org/learning/leadership-learning-lab.html

05/18/2026

Don’t miss our Spring Oceana Free Dive! 👇 A great chance to connect, think bigger, and dig into what systems change really looks like in our community.

Spring Oceana Free Dive 🌱

How do we move from a goal to real, lasting change in our rural communities?
Join us for a morning of learning, conversation, and action featuring O’Nealya Gronstal (Lakeshore Food Club) and Alyssa Merten (Oceana College Access Network ), alongside the Foundation.

We’ll explore:
🔹What systems change and collective impact mean
🔹How relationships and champions help move work forward
🔹What can we learn from our peers to make lasting change

📅 May 21
🕘 9:00–11:00 AM
📍West MI Research Center (5185 N Oceana Dr, Hart, MI 49420)
🔗 RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/r/wCqWBkau6j

If you're not familiar with Oceana Free Dives, they are nonprofit educational and networking events designed to bring together organizations of all types. We encourage all nonprofits and community partners to attend, learn, engage, and connect.

05/14/2026

An impactful opportunity!

05/14/2026

🌟 We want to give a special spotlight this week to someone who has been a tremendous help to the Foundation during this busy scholarship season.

Annette jumped in to help us stay organized this scholarship season. Annette has spent all month long sorting applications, award letters, and award certificates. Her support helped us tremendously to ensure students receive the scholarships they’ve earned. We appreciate your time and all you do for our community. We truly wouldn’t be able to serve Oceana in the same way without volunteers like you 💙
Thank you for making a difference in Oceana County.💙

05/08/2026

Happy Friday! For this Fund Friday we'd like to spotlight the Friends of the Hart Area Public Library () Fund.
The fund was created to support a vibrant, welcoming library at the heart of our community 📚. The Friends long championed access to books, lifelong learning, and programs that bring people together. Their dedication helps ensure the library remains a place where children discover reading, families find connection, and adults continue to learn and explore. This fund strengthens that mission by providing long-term support for library programs, materials, and community services, helping the library grow and adapt to the needs of all who walk through its doors.
📖💚
If you would like to make a contribution to one of our 200+ funds, check out our fund catalog https://godonate.akoyago.com/oceanafoundation/fundcatalog