Blog

Building on its great success from last year, The Community Grant Program is maintaining a similar structure, with one exciting addition! Learn more below, mark your calendars, and start preparing now to share your story with local funders.  Since 2015, The Otsego...

The Otsego Community Foundation is proud to introduce the William “Bill” Wishart Fund, established in 2026 by Dona Wishart in memory of Bill and his deep love for the Gaylord community. This fund reflects who Bill was at his core—someone who cared deeply, showed up...

Recovery from the 2025 ice storm continues across Northern Michigan, where communities are still addressing the storm's widespread impact. To support these ongoing efforts, the Otsego Community Foundation partnered with the Michigan Community Service Commission to...

A New Way to Engage with OCF Otsego Community Foundation is excited to introduce a new, casual way to connect with us and one another—Sip. Share. Connect. We’re excited to introduce Sip. Share. Connect., a casual, drop-in coffee series designed to bring people...

There are people in every community whose quiet dedication, steady leadership, and genuine care help shape a better future for everyone. This month, we are proud to spotlight Annette Wells—Vice Chair of our Board of Directors and Executive Committee member—whose...

On Dana Bensinger’s first day as Executive Director of the Otsego Community Foundation, she was handed three things:A binder.A ring of keys.And a stack of mail. Her office sat in the basement of the Fifth Third building—quite literally the foundation of the community....

At the Otsego Community Foundation, we see every day how small ideas can make a big difference. Adapt Grants are designed to support those moments—when an organization needs to respond quickly, try something new, or strengthen the work they’re already doing. Adapt...

Each year, the Otsego Community Foundation proudly recognizes the graduating seniors who have dedicated their time, talents, and leadership to the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). These students have played a vital role in strengthening our community, and we are deeply...

Tuesday, May 19th brought a beautiful, if breezy, spring day to downtown Gaylord—perfect for propping the doors open at North Life Church and letting in some fresh air as guests arrived. The light movement of the wind outside set the tone for an evening that felt...

May is Leave a Legacy Month, a national public awareness campaign that invites each of us to reflect on the future and consider the impact we want to leave behind. It encourages individuals and families to include a charitable gift in their estate plans—ensuring the...

Have you ever experienced that moment —the kind where you realize you showed up, you mattered, and together with others, you did something truly meaningful? That feeling is hard to describe… but when it happens, you know it. That feeling is what 100+ Women Who Care is...

This month, we’re happy to put the spotlight on Austin Spires, someone who brings both heart and know-how to his volunteer role with OCF. After moving to Otsego County about ten years ago for his career in wealth management, Austin quickly made Northern Michigan home....