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About UsWhat is the Foundation?The Northville COMMUNITY Foundation is similar to a 401k for the community. Monies invested today reap dividends for years and benefit community programs. The Foundation is a tax-exempt, nonprofit, autonomous, publicly supported, philanthropic institution. It manages a collection of permanently endowed funds for the long-term benefit of the community. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and Certified by the State of Michigan for an additional 50% Tax Credit. Individuals, families, companies, other foundations, charitable organizations and government agencies create endowed funds. The Northville Community Foundation, at the request of the State of Michigan, has also taken over operations and rebuilding of the Maybury Farm. Mission StatementThe Northville Community Foundation exists for the purpose of enhancing and enriching life in the Northville community and southeast Michigan. The Foundation supports nonprofits, educational programs, youth & senior programs, the performing arts, historical preservation, and alleviates the burdens on government. The Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization, authorized to receive and administer endowments and other funds from individuals, businesses, professional and corporate sponsors. HistoryThe Northville Community Foundation was founded on July 2, 1997. It was felt that as the community was growing it was in need of a vehicle that would be present for years to come. The Northville community was in two stages – the city, over many years, had developed and had pretty much reached its peak as far as growth; the township however, was in its infancy and just beginning to really grow. A community foundation would be just the right vehicle to serve both communities. Northville Township offered the first home for the Foundation. The Foundation was located in the Building Department located on Beck Road for two years. They then moved to the city for 4 years and then to their present office on Northville Road. The first task of the Foundation was a request by the Northville Township Board of Trustees to host its Centennial Year in 1998. As a result committees were formed and the Centennial year was kicked off by the Opening Ceremonies. The Opening Ceremonies consisted of a ride down 6 Mile from the oldest home in Northville Township to, coincidentally to the newest home which was on 6 Mile. A parade of dignitaries from Wayne County, Northville, and Northville Township, followed some of Northville Township’s seniors. Among the seniors were Myra and Harriet Gibson (owners of the oldest township home), Carl and Pearl Stephens, and George and Celeste Van Hellemont all rode in a horse drawn carriage down Six Mile to the Woods of Edenderry Subdivision where everyone some 200 attendees listened as a blessing for all of the community residents was given by seven Northville pastors. Following the blessing were words from then Wayne County Executive Ed MacNamara. After speeches everyone marveled at the three cakes decorated for the momentous occasion. Cake number one pictured Northville Township’s oldest home, Cake number two, pictured the logo of the Township, and cake number 3, had pictured Township’s newest home. The next event for the Centennial was a Dinner/Dance and auction. Proceeds from these events would go to help begin building endowments for the Foundation. There was also a ‘Book Committee’. This committee created the background materials for the history book, Northville Township….from the Beginning. This book is still in print and can be purchased through the Township offices. This committee also did the Centennial cookbook entitled Recipes and Remembrances. EVERYONE was asked to submit a recipe. We had over 400 recipes from Senator Levin, Governor Engler, Congressman McCotter, Senator Patterson, Northville city and township residents, judges, business owners, the list goes on and on. The closing ceremonies for the Centennial Year were held at the then new Ward Church. The Plymouth Symphony entertained everyone – a very memorable year and the start of the Northville Community Foundation. As a result of the Centennial celebrations and for the first time all of the pastors of Northville working together we were asked to host the Annual Prayer Breakfast. Our first Breakfast was in 1999. We had marvelous speakers such as Wally Bronner from Bronner’s in Frankenmuth, Rebecca Rhodes from WOMC, then Attorney General, Jennifer Granholm, Frank Turner, former WXYZ-TV 7 anchor, Frank Tanana, former Detroit Tiger. In 1999, the Foundation took on the Independence Day Parade in downtown Northville. That tradition continues today and many of the original members of the Parade Committee are still working to give Northville the BEST Parade ever!!! Work on the parade begins in September and runs through July 1 – just before the parade. Two events the foundation hosts each year specifically to fund endowment funds are the Foundation’s Annual Golf Classic held and the Holiday Home Tour. Both events began in 1998. For the Home Tour five homes are selected annually and are professionally decorated for the Holidays. A few years ago, Northville Mayor Johnson, proclaimed that this Home Tour is the kick-off of the Holiday Season in Northville. The Home Tour has been very successful and all of the net proceeds go to help build endowments and operation. In 2001 the Northville Community Foundation was selected to receive funds from the Tobacco Grant settlement. This windfall was to last approximately 25 years. This was a wonderful surprise and as a result we began the Healthy Youth and Senior Endowment. Each year when we received the funds we would grant 50% and endow the remaining 50% - that proved to be a very wise move. The Foundation began funding the anti-smoking programs in the middle schools (both public and private) and the feedback from both teachers and students was wonderful. We created a partnership with St. Mary Mercy Hospital so students could visit and see diseased lungs and healthy lungs (very powerful) however; in 2004 this 25 year windfall came to an end. Governor Granholm removed the funds from the nonprofit sector. Fortunately we had endowed 50% of the Grants we received and continue to grow the endowment. As a result the anti-smoking programs did not have to cease we continue to award Grants to schools. Since its inception the Northville Community Foundation
has built endowments to over $500,000 and has awarded
multiple grants to: The Foundation also awards numerous scholarships to high school seniors. To date over 100 scholarships have been awarded. Today, the Foundation continues to build endowments for the community. The Northville Community Foundation has been State Certified since the year 2000. What does this mean – for donors to endowment funds or beginning endowments it means an additional 50% tax credit. This is most attractive to donors and prospective endowments. Our mission is to build today for tomorrow. Secure endowments today to solve many of tomorrow’s problems. As history has proven, there are three stages for every community – building, sustaining, and migration to other areas. This third stage leaves many communities in need of many services that the tax base can no longer sustain. In many older communities this is where the community foundation steps in and aids many programs through its endowments. Communities with foundations fare much better than those without. Board of DirectorsChris Belcher Contact usNorthville Community Foundation |
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