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Fremont Area Community Foundation

Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Information not publicly available
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 2-4 months
  • Grant Range: Varies by program
  • Geographic Focus: Newaygo County and affiliate counties (Lake, Mecosta, Osceola)

Contact Details

Overview

Founded in 1951 by local philanthropists including William J. Branstrom and Frank Gerber, the Fremont Area Community Foundation has grown to become one of the largest community foundations in the U.S. on a per capita basis, with total assets of $306.7 million as of 2024. The foundation serves Newaygo County and supports three affiliate foundations in Lake, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties. Their mission is to enhance the quality of life for all people in their service area, focusing strategically on community development, education, and poverty reduction. The foundation distributes millions of dollars annually in grants and hundreds of scholarships to support local communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Community Grants: Application deadlines March 1 and September 1; supports organizations meeting critical local needs
  • Amazing X Charitable Fund: Application deadline July 15; supports local residents with disabilities
  • Bridging Generations Fund: Application deadlines February 1 and September 1; supports healthy aging for older adults in Newaygo County
  • Ice Mountain Environmental Stewardship Fund: Application deadline July 15; conservation of the Muskegon River Watershed
  • Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) Grants: Application deadline March 1; improves quality of life for local young people
  • Geographic Affiliate Grants: Separate rounds for Lake, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties with varying deadlines

Priority Areas

  • Community Development (workforce education, business development)
  • Education (kindergarten readiness, STEAM, literacy, post-secondary attainment)
  • Poverty Reduction (supporting self-sufficiency and prosperity)

What They Don't Fund

  • Grants to individuals
  • Property purchases
  • One-time event sponsorships
  • Existing obligations or debt reduction
  • Religious programming requiring religious affiliation
  • Projects that start before grant award notification

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

  • Shelly Kasprzycki: President & CEO (Compensation: $247,848)
  • Kathyrn Pope: Vice President & CFO (Compensation: $158,290)
  • Lindsay Hager: Vice President & Chief Philanthropy Officer (Compensation: $135,061)

Board Leadership

  • William Alsover: Board Chair (starting 6/13/24)
  • Ken Delaat: Vice Chair (starting 6/13/24)
  • Susan Wente: Secretary (starting 6/13/24)
  • Mikhail Salacina: Treasurer (starting 6/13/24)

The foundation maintains strong governance practices including formal board orientation, annual CEO assessment, and conflict of interest policies.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Grant Central online portal. Eligible applicants include:

  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
  • Government units
  • Educational institutions
  • Organizations located in or serving Newaygo County

All applicants should review the "Before You Apply" section on the foundation's website for detailed guidance specific to each grant type.

Decision Timeline

Grant decisions typically take 2-4 months from application deadline:

  • YAC grants (March 1 deadline): Notification in April
  • Community grants (March 1 deadline): Notification in June
  • Bridging Generations (February 1/September 1): Notification in May/December
  • Ice Mountain (July 15 deadline): Notification in October
  • Amazing X (July 15 deadline): Notification in September

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

The foundation has not published specific reapplication policies. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the foundation directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and requirements:

  • Align your project clearly with one of the three strategic focus areas (Community Development, Education, or Poverty Reduction)
  • Demonstrate direct service to Newaygo County or affiliate county residents
  • Submit complete applications well before deadlines through Grant Central
  • Ensure your project timeline begins after the expected notification date
  • Show measurable impact aligned with the foundation's decade goals (60% post-secondary attainment, poverty reduction to national levels, increased median income)
  • For education projects, consider alignment with kindergarten readiness, STEAM, or literacy initiatives
  • For poverty reduction, emphasize self-sufficiency and prosperity outcomes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The foundation operates on fixed deadline cycles with 2-4 month decision timelines - plan accordingly
  • With $306.7 million in assets, this is a well-resourced foundation described as one of the largest per capita in the U.S.
  • They fund a diverse range of programs but maintain strict exclusions (no property purchases, debt reduction, or projects starting before notification)
  • The foundation emphasizes measurable community impact aligned with specific decade goals
  • Multiple grant programs offer different opportunities - consider which best fits your organization's work
  • Geographic focus is strictly limited to Newaygo County and three affiliate counties
  • Strong preference for projects that demonstrate collaboration and community-wide benefit

References

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