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Martin Jaffe and text that says "generosity changes everything"

When Martin passed away last year, one of the ways Ruth chose to honor his memory and his legacy of generosity was by asking for gifts to Bay Area Community Foundation in lieu of flowers. This year, in response to the Garnett and Elmie Compeau Challenge, Ruth used these gifts to establish the Martin D. Jaffe, M.D. Fund, which will provide grant dollars to respond to Bay County’s most pressing needs and promising opportunities for years to come.

How You Can Help for Give Local Bay on May 4

On May 4, Bay Area Community Foundation hosts a 24-hour online giving day at www.givelocalbay.org to raise funds for nonprofits in Bay and Arenac counties. With $25,000 in incentive funds and an additional $3,000 in potential prizes for nonprofits, it’s a celebration when your gift goes further. Especially coming out of a year of closures, when so many nonprofits have had to cancel fundraising events and others are working hard to ensure our families are fed and cared for, it’s a great time to show your community that you care.

Woman helps young boy hold a baby lake sturgeon

Environment

The population of lake sturgeon is at less than 1% of its historic levels for a variety of reasons, including habitat loss and overfishing in the 1900s when their eggs were highly sought for caviar. Alongside many partners, The Conservation Fund is working to restore this species.

Garnett and Elmie Compeau Sitting plus text that says "generosity changes everything"

Garnett and Elmie Compeau were known as kind and giving individuals by those who knew them best. Inspired by travel, education, and learning, they cared about their community and the people in it.

We must be bold in facing these uncertainties, challenges, and social issues. As a community foundation, we are meeting these challenges head-on with community as our focus. These matters will not be solved overnight. Their impact will be long-term, and we must prepare for an extended response.

Community Initiative

The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) tool assesses an individual’s mindset and skill set toward cultural difference and aims to facilitate cooperative conversations and actions directed toward growth and development rather than judgment and resistance.

Teen Boy in Mask Reading a Book with Text "Generosity Changes Everything"

Education & Youth

Thanks to the generosity of Catherine and John Maser and their established library fund at Bay Area Community Foundation, students at Au Gres-Sims High School were able to help choose books they were interested in for classroom libraries.

From closed offices and cancelled fundraising events to adaptive programming for the digital landscape, we know that our local nonprofits are feeling the effects of COVID-19 in varying ways, both big and small. Perhaps operations have already shifted, or perhaps you're only starting to experience the longer-term implications. Here at the Community Foundation, we are listening and working through ways to best serve you. Know that the work you do is important and that together, we will see our community through this.