Community Foundation for Oceana County

07/01/2026

We’re growing our team at the Oceana Community Foundation! 🎉

We’re hiring a Youth Engagement Officer to help expand our work with students across Oceana County, from scholarships 🎓 to early literacy 📚 to building strong community connections.

If you’re passionate about investing in our youth and want to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you. 💙

👉 Learn more and apply:https://oceanafoundation.org/past-news/new-foundation-role-will-champion-youth-across-oceana-county/

06/24/2026

With Electric Forest kicking off and visitors arriving today, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the festival’s impact beyond the stage. 🌲✨

Through its charitable fund at the Oceana Community Foundation, Electric Forest is expanding music education for hundreds of students, supporting local parks and accessibility efforts, investing in new art murals, preserving nature, and sustaining important community resources like Blue Lake Public Radio. These investments are creating opportunities and strengthening the vibrancy of our region long after the last note fades.

See how Electric Forest is making a difference beyond the festival grounds: https://oceanafoundation.org/past-news/beyond-the-music-electric-forest-continues-to-invest-in-oceana-countys-vibrancy/

06/22/2026

We are so excited to share the opening of the (TACC) at the Shelby Township Community Park! 🎉

After months of anticipation, the Center will officially welcome the public beginning June 22. This 65,000 sq. ft. facility is a major asset for Oceana County, bringing together sports, fitness, recreation, and family-friendly programming all in one place.

The Foundation acted as the fiscal partner for the TACC project, receiving community donations alongside Shelby Township, who received many federal, state and other charitable grants to build the Center. The TACC is the result of strong leadership, thoughtful planning, and incredible community support. We’re grateful to the many funders who helped bring this vision to life, including lead donors and many individual and corporate donors, as noted on the recognition display in the lobby. Very thoughtful design and construction management helped make this a truly dynamic and inclusive space.

Inside the TACC, you’ll find something for everyone—4 volleyball courts 🏐, 2 basketball courts ⛹️, 6 pickleball courts 🎾, an indoor turf field ⚽️, elevated walking track, rock climbing wall 🧗, batting tunnels⚾️🥎, arcade🎟️, children’s playscape🛝, and even archery 🏹 and golf simulators 🏌️‍♀️. From fitness memberships 🏋️‍♀️ to birthday parties 🎂 and youth activities, the TACC is designed to serve all ages and interests.

This incredible resource fills a gap in our community and creates new opportunities for recreation, connection, and lifelong wellness right here in Oceana County. We encourage everyone to stop by, explore the space, and take advantage of all it has to offer.

Be sure to check out the membership information and plan your first visit!

06/21/2026

Join us in celebrating our graduating YAC seniors! 🎓✨
Your voices, ideas, and leadership have made a difference, and your future is bright. We’re cheering you on every step of the way!

06/17/2026

47 people. 30+ organizations. One room full of people who care deeply about Oceana County.💙

Our recent Oceana Free Dive on Systems Change & Collective Impact brought together community members, nonprofits, educators, business leaders, and local government for conversations about what matters most: working together to create lasting change.

Our CEO Tammy Carey shared how community foundations are uniquely positioned to move systems change forward—we see the whole ecosystem, function as connective tissue, and bring people together as trusted neutral conveners. Through presentations from O'Nealya Gronstral from the Lakeshore Food Club and Alyssa Merten from the Oceana College Access Network, attendees explored what systems change looks like in our rural community.

One powerful theme: the real question isn't whether we're working hard. It's whether we're working together.

Over a decade of initiatives—from Oceana CAN! to our Free Dive series—we've learned that real change happens when we listen, build trust, and create space for collaboration across sectors.

Thank you to our presenters, everyone who showed up authentically, and Green Isaac's for the great coffee. ☕

The work continues. We're committed to connecting efforts and building the systems that help our community thrive. Mark your calendars for our next Free Dive on October 7 - more information coming soon! 💙

06/17/2026

Please help get the word out. 💙

Made possible through our Urgent Needs Fund. 💚

One week from today, we’ll be at the Oceana County Fairgrounds with Feeding America West Michigan serving families across our community.

We’re still looking for a few more volunteers to help unload and distribute food. These events run smoothly because of people willing to give a couple of hours back to their community.

This distribution is supported by the Urgent Needs Fund of the Community Foundation for Oceana County helping strengthen food access throughout Oceana County.

Interested in joining us?
Volunteer here: https://volunteer.unitedwaylakeshore.org/need/detail/?need_id=1224199

06/15/2026

As part of this year’s Spring Community Grant Round — totaling $85,768 awarded to 20 local organizations — we’re excited to shine a light on a grantee creating meaningful impact in Oceana. 💙

Migrant Legal Aid () received $2,500 from the William R Lathers Foundation Fund to support outreach to migrant farmworkers living and working in Oceana County during the 2026 agricultural season. 🤝🌾

See the full list of spring grant awards on our website: https://oceanafoundation.org/grants/ -grant-awards

06/14/2026

The results are in... and wow, what a year for helping to meet college & career dreams! 🎓💙

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we've reached an incredible milestone in our scholarship program:

✨ $375,750 committed in scholarships
✨ 305 scholarship awards
✨ 210 students supported on their educational journeys

Behind every number is a student with big goals, a donor who believes in their potential, and a community that continues to invest in brighter futures. The Foundation administers 63 scholarship funds, including four new funds making their first awards!

These scholarships are more than financial support. They are encouragement, opportunity, and a reminder that our students have an entire community cheering them on.

To our donors: thank you for making these opportunities possible and for investing in the next generation of leaders, educators, healthcare workers, skilled tradespeople, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.💙

To our students: congratulations! We can't wait to see where your hard work, determination, and dreams take you next. 💙

Together, we're creating opportunities and strengthening the future of Oceana County. One student at a time!💙🎓

06/12/2026

Huge congratulations to our Oceana County Seniors! 🎓
Watching you shine at this year’s award ceremonies has been nothing short of inspiring. 🎉

We’re incredibly proud of every student recognized with a scholarship this year. And to our generous donors — thank you for continuing to believe in these students and helping fuel their futures. 💙

And just wait… we’re putting the finishing touches on this year’s scholarship totals. Any guesses on the final number?
(Hint: it’s a big one worth celebrating)

06/11/2026

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Migrant Child Task Force Donation Drive! We’ve received many amazing contributions to help meet essential needs for migrant farmworker families in our community. We are so grateful for the continued support and generosity. Let’s keep the momentum going!

We are still accepting:
• New hygiene items
• Diapers
• Toys & books for kids & teens
• and much more!

Check out our wish list (https://tinyurl.com/Task-Force-2026 ) to see the full list of needed items, or drop off your contributions in the donation box located at the south entrance of the Pentwater Shelby State Bank.

Thank you again for showing up for our community, your kindness is deeply
appreciated by the families we serve.