You are here: Home What We Do Our Stories

Mike and Nancy Kasperski and text that says "generosity changes everything"

Back in the late 1980s, when Mike Kasperski agreed to attend a meeting of Dow Corning employees who lived in Bay County, he wasn’t sure what to expect. What he most likely didn’t expect was that it would lead to nearly 30 years of volunteer involvement with the Bay Area Community Foundation.

Community Initiative

At the Bay Area Community Foundation, we are committed to working alongside others in creating a community where all people can thrive. We invite you to join us on this journey.

Grandfather walking with Granddaughter outside

Recreation

Bay Area Community Foundation is now accepting letter of intent forms for grants from the Healthy Living Fund.

The legacy of an attorney who devoted her life to protecting others lives on through two new funds.

Good Samaritan Rescue Mission Youth Shelter

Youth shelter provides haven in times of crisis.

When 15-year-old Olivia* walked into the Samaritan Youth Shelter this past April, she was over 100 assignments behind in her schoolwork. She was also in need of a place to stay after tensions with her mother had reached a boiling point — again.

What she found in this place was the encouragement and assistance to steadily tackle the backlog of homework while also keeping up with current assignments. She also experienced the clarity that comes from a “cooling off” period. After working with shelter staff and her family, 28 days later she was able to move back in with her mom.

Bonnie Marsh and George Shaw and text that says "generosity changes everything"

Have fun.

Do no harm.

Help others.

These are the principles that guide Bonnie Marsh and George Shaw’s family. It is what drives their generosity.

Education & Youth

Support Bay County Students by Donating Backpacks and School Supplies

Bay Area Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee partners with United Way to support area children

The past two school years have been a struggle for area youth. Between online learning and COVID-19 restrictions, area students are looking forward to returning to school for a normal school year. Unfortunately many students in the area will not be able to return to school with the necessary supplies to be successful. The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) of the Bay Area Community Foundation recognizes this issue and is proud to partner with the United Way of Bay County to provide backpacks and school supplies as part of the Helen Wirt Lee Back to School program.

The Youth Advisory Committee is a group of dynamic young people (7th to 12th grade) who positively impact the youth of Bay County by identifying needs, making informed decisions, raising and distributing funds and volunteering within our community. “The Youth Advisory Council is designed to develop our next generation of community and philanthropic leaders. Through the YAC, area youth are given a unique opportunity to improve life for their peers and those who come after them. Resourced with an endowment fund of almost $2 million, participants are asked to identify the most pressing youth issues and to recommend grants to solve these challenges and improve their hometown,” said Diane Fong, Bay Area Community Foundation President and CEO.

In order to collect the necessary supplies, the YAC has organized a Back-to-School Drive that will take place on Saturday, July 31st and Sunday, August 1st from 10 am-6 pm. The drive will take place at both Bay City Meijer locations (595 N. Pine Road & 2980 Wilder Road). School buses, provided by Bay City Public Schools and Bangor Township Schools, will serve as collection points for backpacks and supplies in each store’s parking lot.

Education & Youth

Bay Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce that 221 Bay and Arenac county residents will receive a total of more than $335K in scholarships for continuing education. Click here to see the recipients and learn more.