Fremont Area Community Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Fremont Area Community Foundation is a philanthropic organization in Fremont, Michigan
. Founded in 1972 to serve the people of Newaygo County, it is one of the largest community foundations in the United States on a per capita basis, serving a population of 50,000 with net assets of approximately $218 million. The foundation is composed of more than 400 separate funds, including two supporting organizations and three geographic affiliates.
, Dan & Dorothy Gerber, Marion & Charles Gerber, Gussie Gerber, Earle Johnson and William & Colleen Mee.
Between 1972 and 1994, the foundation grew its assets from $10 million to $65 million, granting approximately $2.5 million annually. In August 1994, the sale of the Gerber Products Company
to Sandoz
(now Novartis
), of Switzerland, nearly doubled the assets of the foundation, which at the time owned 1.8 million shares of stock, bringing its total assets to $109 million overnight. From 1994 through the end of the century, the Foundation continued to grow, reaching almost $200 million in assets. Grant awards total approximately $10 million each year.
Since 1972, the Foundation has received $56 million in gifts and made $146 million in grants to benefit the Newaygo County area, a 261% return on donors’ dollars. In 2008, the Foundation made grants of $10.6 million.
Gregory Zerlaut, as well as 15 other trustees.
, the foundation approved a grant to the City of Fremont
to cover lost tax revenues of $525,000 in order to help retain the county's largest employer, as well as ensure the financial health of the city.
The foundation has also support many building programs in Newaygo County, such as the construction of Gerber Memorial's
$8.3 million Tamarac Center, which will further improve the health and wellness of area residents.
and in 2008 the total Youth Endowment Fund grants were $81,884.
. More notably, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke to more than 700 people at Grant on several environmental and energy related issues.
Fremont, Michigan
Fremont is a city in Newaygo County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,081 at the 2010 census.- History :The first inhabitants of the Fremont area were native Americans. A group of settlers led by Daniel Weaver first settled in the area in 1855. The Weaver homestead served as the...
. Founded in 1972 to serve the people of Newaygo County, it is one of the largest community foundations in the United States on a per capita basis, serving a population of 50,000 with net assets of approximately $218 million. The foundation is composed of more than 400 separate funds, including two supporting organizations and three geographic affiliates.
History
In 1972, the foundation was established with $10 million in assets, combining the funds of the private Fremont Foundation with other charitable funds such as Harry Williams, Frank Daniel GerberFrank Daniel Gerber
Frank Daniel Gerber was an American manufacturer of baby food.- Early life :Gerber was born in the town of Douglas in Allegan County, Michigan in 1873. He graduated from Fremont High School of Western Michigan in 1887...
, Dan & Dorothy Gerber, Marion & Charles Gerber, Gussie Gerber, Earle Johnson and William & Colleen Mee.
Between 1972 and 1994, the foundation grew its assets from $10 million to $65 million, granting approximately $2.5 million annually. In August 1994, the sale of the Gerber Products Company
Gerber Products Company
Gerber Products Company is a purveyor of baby food and baby products. A former American-owned company, Gerber is now a subsidiary of Nestlé, and is currently located in Fremont, Michigan, USA.-History:...
to Sandoz
Sandoz
Founded in 2003, Sandoz presently is the generic drug subsidiary of Novartis, a multinational pharmaceutical company. The company develops, manufactures and markets generic drugs as well as pharmaceutical and biotechnological active ingredients....
(now Novartis
Novartis
Novartis International AG is a multinational pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, ranking number three in sales among the world-wide industry...
), of Switzerland, nearly doubled the assets of the foundation, which at the time owned 1.8 million shares of stock, bringing its total assets to $109 million overnight. From 1994 through the end of the century, the Foundation continued to grow, reaching almost $200 million in assets. Grant awards total approximately $10 million each year.
Since 1972, the Foundation has received $56 million in gifts and made $146 million in grants to benefit the Newaygo County area, a 261% return on donors’ dollars. In 2008, the Foundation made grants of $10.6 million.
Leadership
The Fremont Community Foundation is under the direction of CEO Elizabeth 'Libby' Cherin, COOChief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
Gregory Zerlaut, as well as 15 other trustees.
Impact on the Community
The foundation has sponsored many community related programs and events, more notable, the Newaygo County Hunger Initiative, a program that in 2008 distributed 1.65 million pounds of food to low income residents in Newaygo County, the West Michigan Student Showcase, a regional talent show for several hundred area high school students, and in support of tax breaks to the Gerber Products CompanyGerber Products Company
Gerber Products Company is a purveyor of baby food and baby products. A former American-owned company, Gerber is now a subsidiary of Nestlé, and is currently located in Fremont, Michigan, USA.-History:...
, the foundation approved a grant to the City of Fremont
Fremont, Michigan
Fremont is a city in Newaygo County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,081 at the 2010 census.- History :The first inhabitants of the Fremont area were native Americans. A group of settlers led by Daniel Weaver first settled in the area in 1855. The Weaver homestead served as the...
to cover lost tax revenues of $525,000 in order to help retain the county's largest employer, as well as ensure the financial health of the city.
The foundation has also support many building programs in Newaygo County, such as the construction of Gerber Memorial's
Gerber Memorial Health Services
Gerber Memorial Health Services, a subsidiary of Spectrum Health, is a 77-bed, non-profit, acute care hospital and health care organization, in Newaygo County, Michigan...
$8.3 million Tamarac Center, which will further improve the health and wellness of area residents.
Youth Advisory Committee
The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) advises the Board of Directors on grants and issues regarding area youth. YAC members are selected from all Newaygo County High SchoolsNewaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency
The Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency is an Intermediate School District in Michigan serving the school districts that are primarily within Newaygo County. NCRESA provides services to six local public districts and five non-public schools within its boundaries...
and in 2008 the total Youth Endowment Fund grants were $81,884.
Amazing X Charitable Trust
The Amazing X Charitable Trust Board advises the Board of Directors on grants that are to benefit people in Newaygo County with disabilities. In 2008 the total Amazing X Charitable Trust grants were $301,379.Elderly Needs Fund
The Elderly Needs Fund Board provides grants to benefit the elderly in Newaygo County. In 2008 the total Elderly Needs Fund grants were $493,630.Speaker Series
The Fremont Area Community Foundation's Speaker Series often invites people to come and speak on various issues and subjects. These events are open to the public, free of charge, and are usually held at the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts or larger events are held at the Grant Fine Arts CenterGrant Fine Arts Center
The Grant Fine Arts Center is a performance venue and teaching facility operated by the Grant Public School District in Grant, Michigan. The facility is used for numerous events including musical and theatrical performances, films, meetings, fundraisers, and other special events...
. More notably, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke to more than 700 people at Grant on several environmental and energy related issues.