How OCF Nonprofit Partners Are Shaping Youth Education and Development
At the Otsego Community Foundation, our mission to activate generosity for a strong community is deeply intertwined with our commitment to the next generation. By focusing on fostering a brighter future for our community’s youth, we support initiatives that expand educational opportunities and address students’ diverse needs. This month, as students, teachers, and parents gear up for the 2024-2025 school year, we’re excited to highlight the impactful educational and youth programs funded by our Community Grant Program and by Funds of the OCF.
Gaylord Youth Orchestra Program— Cwik Holly by Golly Fund*, Long Range Success Fund* and Arts and Culture Fund*
Gornick Auditorium Spotlight Grant for Gaylord High School Drama Club – Drzewiecki Agency/ Meemic Foundation
Fitness and Fun Gym and Playground Upgrade Gaylord Saint Mary Cathedral School – Drzewiecki Agency/ Meemic Foundation
Soccer Complex New Hydration Station Gaylord Soccer League – Nicholas Matthew Mazur Memorial Fund*, Youth Fund* and Lampert Family Fund*
Mental Health Crisis Kits for K-8 students Health Department of Northwest Michigan Community Health-Gaylord Wellness Programs – Deerfield Computer Associates Fund* and Munson Healthcare OMH
Art Expansion and Exploration-Johannesburg-Lewiston Area School District Art Department – Cwik Holly by Golly Fund*
Building Pathways for Otsego Youths’ Success -Junior Achievement of Northern Michigan – Cwik Holly by Golly Fund*, Amar-Fox Family Fund* and Gaylord Edward Jones Fund*
Kirtland Foundation High School Welding Kits- Kirtland Community College Foundation – Long Range Success Fund*, Youth Fund* and U.A.W. Local 388 Educators Fund*
Summer Melt Prevention-Otsego Career Access Network — Reader’s Fund*, Vanderbilt Student Success Fund*, Long Range Success Fund*, Kohnert Family Fund*, Amar-Fox Family Fund*, Gaylord Edward Jones Fund*, and Kiwanis Club of Gaylord
Sustaining Sex Ed in Johannesburg-Lewiston Schools- Planned Parenthood of Michigan Education Department – Amar-Fox Family Fund*
Otsego Little Learners ages 3-first grade – PoWer! Book Bags– Skerratt Family Fund*
Sensory Room – GIS- State Trooper Outreach Partnership Gaylord Chapter- Rotary Club of Gaylord Fund*, Youth Fund*, Amar-Fox Family Fund* and Otsego County United Way
Disc Golf Course- Vanderbilt Area Schools- Rotary Club of Gaylord Fund*, Cwik Holly by Golly Fund*, Funds for the Community* and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
Playground-Vanderbilt Area Schools- Youth Fund*
Great Start COP Preschool Scholarship Program – Cheboygan, Otsego, & Presque Isle Education School District- Kiwanis Club of Gaylord, Lampert Family Fund*
Gaylord Swim Hosting Capacity-Gaylord Gators, Inc. – Rotary Club of Gaylord Fund* and Gaylord Area Tourism Bureau Fund*
Gaylord High School Fishing Club- Gaylord Community Schools – Rotary Club of Gaylord*, Youth Fund*, The Drzewiecki Agency/The Meemic Foundation, Skerratt Family Fund*, Otsego Wildlife Legacy Society, Bruce Fasel Memorial Fund*, Kohnert Family Fund*
Gaylord Community Schools Loves Kids- Gaylord Community Schools – Lampert Family Fund*
Gaylord Special Education Artist-in-Residence Program-Michigan Arts Access – Youth Fund*, Stephanie J. And Brian L. Quaal Mental Health Fund*, Funds for the Community*
PGA Junior League- Tip of the Mitt Junior Golf Association – Cwik Holly by Golly Fund*, Youth Fund*, Skerratt Family Fund*
Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency for the Washer and Dryer at the Johannesburg-Lewiston School- Funds for the Community*, Staff Grant Budget
Weight Room Upgrades-Johannesburg Lewiston Schools – James J Hilgendorf Memorial Fund*, Funds for the Community*
Gaylord Middle School Weight Room Technology Upgrades – Gaylord Community Schools – Nicholas Matthew Mazur Memorial Fund*
South Maple Elementary Physical and Mental Health Programs – Gaylord Community Schools – Nicholas Matthew Mazur Memorial Fund*
GIS Field Day-Gaylord Community Schools – Nicholas Matthew Mazur Memorial Fund
Improved Grief Services for Gaylord High School Counseling Department – Nicholas Matthew Mazur Memorial Fund*
Solar Eclipse Glasses –Johannesburg-Lewiston Schools–Mary Kay Smith Sklarczyk Fund*
Gaylord Community Schools is deeply grateful for OCF’s continued support and generosity in funding multiple projects across our district. The impact of your contributions is felt everywhere in our elementary schools—whether it’s the much-needed surround systems in classrooms, first and second graders using rekenreks to strengthen their math skills, or engaging STEM materials enriching teachers’ lessons. Thanks to OCF, books are in the hands of students both at school and at home, and sensory items and rooms have become vital centers within our schools. We are truly honored to partner with OCF in our mission to empower and educate the next generation.
Mandy Bolen, Director of Human Services Gaylord Community Schools
We would love to hear from YOU! Keep an eye out for these nonprofit partners in action as the school year gets underway. Let us know how these programs and nonprofit partners impact your family and students by clicking the button below.
*of the Otsego Community Foundation