Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
Leave a Lasting Impression
Mission
We invest in the people and places of our region and steward community assets for lasting impact.
Ruling year
1992
President and CEO
David Mengebier
Main address
223 Lake Avenue Suite B
Traverse City, MI 49684 USA
EIN
38-3056434
NTEE code
Other Art, Culture, Humanities Organizations/Services N.E.C. (A99)
Environmental Quality, Protection, and Beautification N.E.C. (C99)
Youth Community Service Clubs (O51)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation exists to enhance the quality of life in our communities, now and forever, by serving as a leader of local philanthropy.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Donor Advised Funds and Donor Service
We have over 300 different funds, covering the environment, human services, donor-advised funds, education, scholarships, youth programs and the like. We work closely with donors to match passion with purpose so that gifts impact lives in our region now and when those gifts are needed in the future.
Grantmaking
All Community Foundation grants are approved and awarded by the Community Foundation Board. Our responsive grant awards are made with input and recommendation from grant review committees comprised of community representative and/or Community Foundation staff and Board. In 2021, we granted $3.1M in grants to support 350 grant partners across the region.
Scholarships
We believe that post-secondary education is key to a healthy, resilient, and thriving community and are pleased to partner with generous community donors to create and offer a variety of scholarship opportunities for local students.
We have over 50 unique regional scholarship opportunities available to students from one or more high schools throughout our five-county region and over 40 opportunities available for graduating seniors from Traverse City West, Traverse City Central and Traverse City High School (TCAPS). Some students are eligible for multiple scholarship opportunities.
Youth Advisory Council
The Youth Advisory Council involves youth as decision makers and leaders in the community; promotes positive youth development; provides a forum for youth interests, needs, and problems; commits resources to effective youth development programs; and involves youth in philanthropy and volunteerism.
Annually, our Youth Advisory Councils in each of our five-counties collectively awards over $90,000 to support youth programs and services. Youth and young adults programs are areas we know are critical opportunities for impact in our region.
Where we work
Accreditations
Council on Foundations National Standards 2009
Council on Foundations National Standards 2014
Council on Foundations National Standards 2020
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Total dollar amount of scholarship awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Young adults
Related Program
Scholarships
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Scholarships are awarded mainly to graduating seniors, though a few of our scholarships are open to currently enrolled college students.
Number of students who receive scholarship funds and/or tuition assistance
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Young adults
Related Program
Scholarships
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Scholarships are awarded mainly to graduating seniors, though a few of our scholarships are open to currently enrolled college students.
Number of youth who volunteer/participate in community service
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents
Related Program
Youth Advisory Council
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
All youth participants are involved in our Youth Advisory Council (YAC), a Community Foundation program that focuses on youth philanthropy.
Number of briefings or presentations held
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Presentations include speaking opportunities where we were able to give a PowerPoint presentation, but do not include casual speaking opportunities or closed meetings that involved a presentation.
Number of press releases developed and distributed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Donor Advised Funds and Donor Service
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of stories successfully placed in the media
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Donor Advised Funds and Donor Service
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This number includes all media mentions in print and digital publications, often as a result of a Community Foundation press release.
Number of organizations applying for grants
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Grantmaking
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This is the number of unique projects applied for by local organizations; some organizations applied for funding for more than 1 project throughout the year.
Number of print, radio, or online ads developed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of evaluations conducted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
In 2018, GTRCF began doing site visits/evaluations at local nonprofits that receive funding. In 2020 and 2021 this was severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Net promoter score
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of donor-advised funds
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Donor Advised Funds and Donor Service
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of endowments
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Average grant amount
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Grantmaking
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Average online donation
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total number of grants awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Grantmaking
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total dollar amount of grants awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Grantmaking
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of overall donors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of new donors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
We envision healthy, resilient, thriving communities supported by a culture of generosity. Guided by our mission, we are aiming to enhance the quality of life in our communities, now and forever, by serving as a leader of local philanthropy.
Through partnerships with donors, nonprofits, and volunteers, we promote philanthropy and engage in community leadership by enriching our communities with grant and scholarship dollars and building endowments. We work to create a culture of generosity through cross-sector relationships in a way that will leave a lasting impact for generations to come.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We are committed to four strategic goals to guide our work:
1. Building operational strength and stability
2. Cultivating a culture of generosity
3. Deploying a comprehensive grantmaking strategy
4. Providing collaborative leadership on community initiatives and issues
Within these goals, strategies include:
• Developing and supporting a diverse collection of permanent endowments supported by a wide range of donors
• Involving a large number of regional volunteers in building endowments and in awarding grants to benefit our communities
• Developing an understanding of the role of charitable giving in filling community needs.
• Empowering youth to make a difference through grantmaking and leadership
• Prioritizing County Endowments, which are designed to impact broad community needs and interests within each county and are awarded by Community Foundation Board Directors
• Working with professional advisors to guide generous giving decisions for wills, trusts, and estate plans
• Engaging new donors, such as Millenials and Gen Z, and connecting their giving to place-based work in their respective counties
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation has served a local giving partner in its five-county region for more than 25 years.
As stewards of community resources, the Community Foundation team is comprised of eight experienced and highly qualified professionals who display a true passion for the work. The Community Foundation is governed by a regionally representative Board of Directors is comprised of engaged community members, with diverse backgrounds, skill sets and experiences. Together, we’re all working to ensure donors wishes are being fulfilled in meaningful, lasting ways.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation has grown significantly over its 25+ year history, including growing its assets to nearly $68 million and its grantmaking impact to an average of about $3 million annually.
Other accomplishments include:
- Commitment to Youth Philanthropy and engaging a Youth Advisory Council annually to award grants from our Youth Endowment. Over our 25 years, 600+ students have participated and awarded more than $1.8M back to our communities.
- Collaboratively leading a comprehensive early childhood effort in a local community, catalyzed with funding from a significant endowment.
- Completion of a community needs data collection and analysis project with provides data inform future grantmaking and engagement opportunities.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
Board of directorsas of 03/01/2023
Mrs. Terry Beamsley
Amy Schindler
Beth Dunckel
Rehmann's Accounting, Consulting and Tax
Laura Asiala
WholeWorks LLC
JoAnne Cook
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
Ranve Martinson
Martinson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Leelanau
Cash Cook
Kalkaska Village DDA
Royce Ragland
Green Elk Rapids
Carol Marsh
Marty Colburn
City of Traverse City
Annie DeVries
Damian Lockhart
Morgan Stanley
Bill Smith
Rachel Birgy
Education Consultant
Andi Halpin
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Terry Beamsley
Sara Brubaker
Attorney
Mark Irwin
Fischer Insurance
Dan Phillips
Bellaire United Methodist Church
Megan Royle Carrella
Herman Miller
Elise Crafts
Placecraft
Laris Galejs
Munson Healthcare
Chris MacInnes
Crystal Mountain
Suzanne Miller Allen
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Dennis Pearsall
Real Estate One
Jerry Ring
Cari Jo Roberts
Kalkaska Public Schools
Marshall Collins
Northwest Education Services
Larry Nelson
Jurgen Griswold
Phyllis Kladder
Rick Heitmeyer
Public Education
Lauren Clark
Edward Lanphier
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
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