There is a vibrant energy moving through Oceana County. It can be seen in the new construction across our towns - the expansion of local businesses, and the unmistakable hum of communities that are growing and thriving. As the first buds of spring begin to break through the soil, we are reminded that growth is all around us.
But beneath this visible progress lies a different kind of strength - a quiet, enduring power that doesn’t just build for today, but for a century from now. It is the power of the permanent gift, an endowment fund.
This concept is rooted in a simple philosophy lived out by the late Bill Lathers: “I’ll put in a buck, if you put in a buck.” Bill’s devotion to his hometown of Mears was so deep that he left a “permanent buck” to forever support his community. Today, that buck is still at work, serving the Mears community exactly as he intended. a small seed that has grown into a legacy forever.
The power of the "permanent buck"
It is in this same spirit of collective and enduring support that the Oceana Community Foundation (OCF) is proud to announce that its agency and designated endowment funds will give back $144,000 of local support this year to 43 organizations. While we celebrate the new developments in our community and the arrival of spring, these funds serve as the "permanent bucks" for our entire county. They ensure that the organizations serving our community have the stability they need to thrive year after year – helping to meet today’s budget and provide for the future.
A recent Rural Innovation Exchange article highlights how these funds are becoming the bedrock of community resilience across Michigan. While they offer significant tax benefits, their true power lies in allowing donors to create lasting legacies that align with their deepest interests.
"Endowments are born from a passion and a need for sustainability," said OCF CEO Tammy Carey. When a donor establishes an endowment, they aren't just making a gift; they are planting a seed that grows forever. It ensures that our local agencies have a long-term funding source that never runs dry, regardless of the economic climate. "We have partnered with most of the nonprofits serving our residents," Carey said. “In the last year we added two more – West Central MI Research Station Fund and Harbor Hospice Oceana County Fund, with several more pending.”
The stories behind the strength
The strength of these funds lies in the people who, like Bill Lathers, believed in the future of Oceana. For Karen and Walter Urick, establishing a fund for the Oceana County Historical & Genealogical Society was an act of stewardship. “We felt it was important to leave something for the community, to help make it a better place,” Karen shared.
For others, these funds turn grief into a lasting light. When Gary Bailey lost his wife, Connie, the community helped establish a memorial fund for the Trinity Lutheran Community Food Pantry. Today, Connie’s legacy of compassion continues to feed families in need.
The impact of $144,000
What does $144,000 of "forever" money do? It ensures that as our community grows, our safety net grows along with it.
• It means a survivor of domestic violence can call the COVE helpline at 3 a.m. and connect with a waiting advocate.
• It ensures that a child in the foster care system has a CASA volunteer through the Fountain Hill Center advocating for their best interests.
• It means Harbor Hospice can provide grief support to a family facing their most difficult transition.
• It ensures that places like the Pentwater Artisan Learning Center maintain vibrant, collaborative spaces where local artists share their crafts.
With 44 unique Agency Endowment and Designated Funds fueling this year’s $144,000 payout, the reach of these permanent gifts is truly boundless. From animal welfare to the holiday joy delivered by Roy’s Kids, these funds touch every corner of our lives. One can learn about and support these endowment funds — and more — through the foundation’s fund catalog, which shares the stories of over 200 funds: https://oceanafoundation.org/g....
Growing together
In 2020, only about 10.6% of nonprofits nationwide held endowment funds. In Oceana, we are leading the way. Whether it is the effort of the Crystal Valley Care Fund or a bequest to beautify a local cemetery, every dollar added to an endowment benefits Oceana forever.
No amount is too small to start a legacy. Anyone can join this movement today by contributing to an existing endowment fund or by working with OCF to leave a legacy of one's own. Please call Carey at 231-869-3377 to explore all the ways one can leave behind an impactful gift to this community.
