Permanently Endowed Funds

The purpose of the Community Foundation is to build endowed funds for the future of Monroe County. This involves funds which are invested, using the investment earnings to support programs which improve the quality of life in our community. An additional responsibility of the Foundation is to recognize needs in Monroe County and convene meetings of concerned citizens to find solutions to those needs.

General Charitable Funds

Community Enhancement Fund

Supported by the public at large. The people of Monroe County give to this fund when they want to support a range of charitable programs and projects.

Compassion Into Action Fund

This fund allows the Community Foundation of Monroe County to quickly respond to emerging needs in Monroe County.

Herman F. Gertz Memorial Fund

Endowed by Alice Frank as a memorial to her father, and by the Herman & Irene Gertz Foundation. The Herman F. Gertz Memorial Fund supports a variety of charitable programs in Monroe County, with an emphasis on those which promote family values.

Harry R. McGovern Charitable Fund

Endowed by Ace Paper Products Company to honor Mr. McGovern’s retirement. Like the General Endowment Fund, grants support a wide range of charitable activities.

Field of Interest Funds

Altrusa Literacy Fund

This fund, which supports literacy programs and projects, was endowed by Altrusa International of Monroe County.

Bedford Kellogg Youth Fund

This fund was endowed by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation through a challenge grant, matching donations from the people of Bedford. The fund is administered by the Bedford Youth Advisory Council (YAC) who award grants to organizations, programs and projects which improve the quality of life for youth in Bedford County.

Darrell Polter Baseball Field Endowment Fund

This fund, endowed by Darrell and Linda Polter ensures that the Darrell Polter Baseball Field at Summerfield High School remains a sanctuary of excellence for generations to come. By funding field maintenance, essential maintenance equipment, and special projects, the Darrell Polter Baseball Field Endowment empowers emerging baseball talents with the resources they need to flourish and excel both on and off the field. 

Elizabeth Upham McWebb “Little Brown Bear” Fund

Endowed by the Trustees of the Community Foundation of Monroe County and with a major grant from the C. S. and Marion F. McIntyre Foundation to honor Monroe’s own “Aunt Bett” McWebb, this fund supports programs which encourage children to read books.

Heritage Resources Fund

For the Community Development or capacity needs of the MC community for the purposes of the Heritage Resources which include: Cultural (Maritime Heritage as part of the Port Cities), Historic (activities involving the River Raisin Battlefield), Natural (preservation of the Monroe Marshes in cooperation with the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge), and recreational (waterfront activities).

Kellogg Youth Fund

This fund was endowed by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation through a challenge grant, matching donations from the people of Monroe County. The fund is administered by the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) who award grants to organizations, programs and projects which improve the quality of life for youth in Monroe County.

Kiwanis Club of Monroe North Fund for Youth

The fund was endowed by the group of the same name. Earnings from the fund support programs and projects for youth throughout Monroe County.

Monroe County Cemetery Preservation Fund

This fund provides for maintenance, repair, restoration of monuments, beautification, etc. of historic cemeteries in Monroe County.

Monroe County Environmental Fund

Earnings from this fund support programs and projects which improve the environment and/or support environmental education.

Monroe County Healthy Youth Healthy Seniors

This fund was endowed by the 1999 Tobacco Settlement Agreement through a program created by the Council of Michigan Foundations. This fund will provide grants to a variety of organizations and programs which enhance the health of Youth (under age 18) and Seniors (65 and older).

Monroe County History Fund

This fund supports projects which enhance the historic heritage of Monroe County.

Monroe County ISD Special Children’s Fund

This fund supports programs which provide for the needs of Special Children, whether “gifted” or suffering from a physical, mental, or learning disability.

Monroe County Monument Preservation Fund

Grants from this fund provide for the restoration and preservation of historical monuments in Monroe County.

President James Monroe Statue Endowed Fund

Endowed maintenance fund to the County of Monroe to assist in the maintenance and upkeep of the President James Monroe statue located on the courthouse grounds.

Raymond C. Kehres Senior Citizens Fund

Endowed by Mr. Kehres, and supported by those who admired him, this fund provides grants which support programs and agencies enhancing the quality of life for seniors.

Ryan’s Hope Fund

To support drug rehabilitation and aftercare of our community along with creating awareness.

Salow Family Endowment Fund

Endowed by the family of Winnifred and James Salow to support capital expenditures which will benefit Monroe County, whether for new projects or the improvement of existing projects, excluding routine maintenance.

The Christian Community Support Endowment Fund

The fund was endowed to provide benefit to Christian Organizations for the purpose of nurturing the spiritual development and serving the needs of children, teens and adults.

Youth Ministry Fund

This fund provides for ministry through Christian Organizations for the purpose of nurturing the spiritual development and serving the needs of children and teens.  Such ministry will include, or be closely related to:  scholarships to camp, support for short-term mission trips and projects, material relief of suffering, educational support, and discipleship programs at the discretion of Morocco United Brethren in Christ Church.

Agency Funds

CASA

This fund is to benefit Court Appointed Special Advocacy program in Monroe County. CASA advocates for the best interest of abused and neglected children.

Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church

This fund is to benefit the furthering of the mission, ministry and witness to Jesus Christ at the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Gabby’s Ladder Fund

This fund is to benefit the agency, which provides guiding steps and loving support in a safe place to grieving children, teens and their families as they move step-by-step through grief and find their way to healing.

George W. Romney United Way of Monroe County Volunteer Action Center Fund

Earnings from this fund are distributed annually to the United Way Volunteer Action Center for volunteerism in Monroe County.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish Fund

This fund was established to benefit St. Michael the Archangel Parish.

The Humane Society of Monroe County Fund

Earnings from this fund are to provide a means for the Humane Society to be able to operate into the future. The funds are to be distributed yearly to help with operating expenses.

Administration Endowment

Robert J. Duffey Administration Endowment

The Robert J. Duffey Administration Endowment Fund was created and endowed by Robert J. Duffey to support the work of the Community Foundation of Monroe County.

Community Improvement and Capacity Building Funds

Center for Philanthropy

The Center For Philanthropy enhances participation in philanthropy through research, teaching, training, public service and all programs focused on philanthropy.

Grow

GROW, Giving Represents Our Women, is Monroe County’s women’s philanthropy group uniting powerful, visionary women effecting lasting fundamental change.

Human Services Funds

Holcim, Inc. Employee Disaster Relief Fund

This fund was established to aid Holcim employees in the event of a disaster.

La-Z-Boy Employee Compassion Fund

Endowed by La-Z-Boy incorporated, this fund’s purpose is to benefit La-Z-Boy employees who experience an unforeseen emergent financial situation that is sudden, critical, and beyond their control. The La-Z-Boy Employee Compassion Fund serves all employees at all locations.

Housing and Shelter Funds

Housing Trust Fund

The income of this fund will be distributed at least annually through a grant to the Monroe County Opportunity Program (MCOP) Housing Assistance Fund for direct use to support those priorities prescribed by the Advisory Group.

Animal Related Funds

Humane Society Animal Care

Established to benefit The Humane Society of Monroe County, its use is restricted to the care and feeding of animals.

Educations Funds

Jeff and Gretchen Kopmanis Fund

This fund is to provide supplemental financial support for instrumental music programs in K-12 Monroe Public Schools.

Manausso Family Endowment Fund

This fund shall be in furtherance of and to promote the tenets of education and the arts.

Health Related Funds

Paul E. Braunlich Family Memorial Fund

This fund is to assist the needs of the community.