Strategic Initiatives

In addition to flexibly responding to emerging community needs, the Community Foundation has also worked more specifically on strategic initiatives.  Since 2007, the Community Foundation has invested over $100,000 in entrepreneurship, land use, and youth substance abuse prevention. We are very proud of the results of partnerships with area coalitions and organizations.  As of winter 2011, we will focus even further on land use, while continuing to address entrepreneurship and youth substance abuse prevention through our regular competitive grantmaking.  

Land Use: Preserving Our Local Character

 From the community visioning effort called Emmet 20/20, the Emmet County Master Plan, and even casual conversations with friends and neighbors, we know that this community values 'rural character'.  From the beautiful countryside, to views of the million dollar sunset, to walkable and welcoming downtowns, we aim to preserve this character by:

  • Encouraging dialogue between local officials to build cooperation on land use issues;
  • Increasing the viability of local agriculture by promoting additional incentives to preserve local farms; and
  • Engaging the community to encourage greater attention to local land use issues and build consensus on priorities through ongoing discussion.

In the next few months, we will be talking more with community members and learning from successful models in other communities in order to see how the Community Foundation can best serve Emmet County with this land use initiative.  We welcome feedback and ideas!  Just email Sara at sward@phsacf.org or give us a call at 348-5820. 

From Farm to Frame: Ripe Moments through the Lens

The Community Foundation, Crooked Tree Arts Center, and Institute for Sustainable Living, Art, and Natural Design (ISLAND) announce a call for artists for a juried photo contest and exhibition, From Farm to Frame: Ripe Moments through the Lens.  Encouraging greater awareness of the benefits of local farming and locally-grown food, set here in northern Michigan, the exhibit will showcase the beauty of small farms and local food.  For more information, visit crookedtree.org.

The Community Foundation aims to increase the viability of local agriculture because of the importance to our community's health and nutrition, local economy, and rural character.