Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
Posted by John Ester
on May 03, 2016
Executive Director Phil Ellis explained that the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation exists to facilitate, promote and serve philanthropy and permanent endowments, enhancing the quality of life in its five-county region.
Formed in 1992, the Foundation's function is to help others "now and forever." The Foundation does so by helping donors establish endowment funds that address their passions in life. With these funds the Foundation is also improving the quality of life in the area that it serves.
The Community Foundation has $50 million in endowed assets. It manages endowment funds for many Benzie County nonprofits, including the Maples, the Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail, Pt. Betsie, the Oliver Art Center and Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital, to name a few. It also maintains an endowment fund for Rotary Charities that matches charitable contributions of local Rotarians up to $250.
Closing with a touching video about Larry and Joan Miller, Phil suggested that we all consider what legacy we would like to leave when we die.