Michael Moore, Kathleen Glynn Donate $250k to Film Fest

July 31, 2014 by TC Ticker - link below

Filmmaker Michael Moore presented a $250,000 check Tuesday evening to the Traverse City Film Festival (TCFF) board of directors to launch a new program that will bring independent, documentary and foreign films to movie theaters across the country. The check - presented on behalf of Moore and his former wife and longtime producer Kathleen Glynn - represents the last of a nearly million-dollar fund established by the duo in 1989 using profits from Moore's film Roger & Me to benefit artistic groups and nonprofit organizations. The money will be used to launch a new program, tentatively called Mike's Movie Night, that will stream independent films once a month to theaters across the United States and Canada using the State Theatre as a home base. Moore will curate the films along with other prominent filmmakers and will host live Q&As with the film's directors and cast at the events. The Q&As will also be simulcast and will provide audience members opportunities to ask questions of the filmmakers. "I wanted to do something special, something big to honor all the good over the years that has resulted from my first film," says Moore of the gift. "This donation will be used specifically to address the lack of access across the country for people who want to go to a movie theater and see a foreign film or a documentary." The quarter-million dollar donation will be overseen and administered by the festival board, which would "like to bring a little bit of Traverse City to the rest of the world," according to board treasurer and TCFF co-founder John Robert Williams. Permalink

Goodwill Looks to "Fill The Freezer"

TC Business Magazine, e-newsletter, "The Ticker", 28 July 2014

Goodwill is turning to crowdfunding site Indiegogo to "Fill the Freezer" with healthy protein. The campaign aims to help local 4-H kids and put healthy local meat on the plates of people served by the Goodwill Inn, Addiction Treatment Services, Meals on Wheels and Food Rescue by raising funds to buy livestock at the Northwestern Michigan Fair 4-H Livestock auction on August 7. Every gift toward the $5,000 goal goes toward the purchase of an animal that will feed thousands. The cost to purchase and process a pig is about $600, approximately $1,500 for a steer. Permalink

Northern Michigan Fundraising Professionals - Fall Meeting Announced

Our fall kick-off meeting is on Wednesday, September 10, 8:30 - 9:30am with special featured guest, Wendy Steele.  We owe a big shout out to the NMC Foundation for sponsoring the venue in Room C at the Hagerty Center.  

We have designed this event to build enthusiasm and support for your fund raising efforts. Please don't miss this opportunity to invite your board, staff and donors. We will be enlightened and inspired by this unique presentation from a woman who knows a little something about creating a culture of generosity.  

Here's a preview -

Creating a Culture of Generosity - For the Nonprofit, Individuals, and Families

For the nonprofit, a culture of generosity is vital to counter compassion fatigue and burnout. For businesses and even in families, having a deep commitment to generosity creates happier, healthier,  ethical character.  The best of times are when we are able to give of our time, talent, and treasure.  It is in these times when we gain the most.

You see, giving back benefits the receiver of those gifts (of course). But what about the giver? 

When you give back, you are:

~ Empowered ~ Hopeful ~ Connected ~ Empathetic ~ Engaged

And so much more!  Your agency benefits.  Your company benefits. Your family benefits. 

(Photo: CARA OWSLEY)

2014 Winner of the Jefferson Award for Public Service, Wendy Steele devotes time, talent and treasure to our community in many capacities.   In 2001, in Cincinnati, Ohio, with the idea that philanthropy should be a party with an open invitation for all to attend, Wendy launched and led Impact 100 which brings transformational grants to the communities it serves across five focus areas: Culture, Education, Environment, Family and Health & Wellness. By 2003, the national media had learned about this innovative approach and People Magazine featured the organization and its founder in their widely read publication. From there, the news spread and the Impact 100 model began to be replicated around the country. By the end of 2014, Impact 100 organizations around the country will have given away more than $29 MILLION to people in need. And it is still growing...

Because this kick-off event has potential to reach capacity seating we have an Eventbrite page set up simply for RSVP purposes. Please be sure to reserve your seats!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nmfp-fall-kick-off-with-wendy-steele-tickets-12338804697

See you and your guests in September!!!

Sherri, Connie and Emily

More information: 

Sherri Fenton, C.F.R.M.

Development and Marketing Director

Traverse Health Clinic

Direct line: 231.935.0412

3155 Logan Valley Road

Traverse City, MI 49684

sfenton@traversehcc.org

www.traversehealthclinic.org

Retirement & Opening

David Abeel has informed Benzie Area Christian Neighbors BACN of his impending retirement.  

The Board of Directors is currently reviewing the fund development role and anticipates potential  information for a Development position soon.  I hope through the fundraisers network this announcement will be share with qualified peers seeking employment in our beautiful region.  

Please feel free to contact me with any questions. 

Gerri VanAntwerp

Executive Director

Benzie Area Christian Neighbors

231.882.9544

gvanantwerp@benziabacn.org

Caring for Kelsey

Bill Marsh posted this on a twitter feed ....

For five years, Kelsey Clous has been tethered to hospitals in a valiant battle against a rare blood clotting disorder. A group of supporters is coming to the aid of the Clous family as they deal with skyrocketing bills. 

We have created this fundraiser to help the Clous family with the costs associated with Kelsey’s illness.

We will also hold an event called Caring for Kelsey on August 8th at Bill Marsh Automotive on South Garfield in Traverse City, Michigan. The fundraiser will include a huge bake sale, lunch, silent auction, car wash and oil changes. The proceeds will help the family with costs (travel to hospitals, housing, living expenses) associated with Kelsey’s illness. - 

See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/caring-for-kelsey-/197124#sthash.lxfRcp5o.dpuf

Have you had experience using youcaring.com?

Traverse Health Clinic makes match

Traverse Health Clinic announced that it met its Rotary Charities Challenge by raising $25,000 from the community. They also announced another $25,000 matching opportunity through a grant they received from the American Proficiency Institute.

Check out their website at Click here.

Book on Legacy Giving

Craig Wruck's 2013 book called, "Planned Giving in a Nutshell" gives the one person office practitioner a complete "nuts and bolts" (sorry) overview of gift planning in a straight forward and readable fashion. Even though it is a very detailed work one does not get overwhelmed by the details.  Very readable which is unusual of such a work.  Worth the read for folks implementing legacy giving in their organization. Love the "school book" type of format that makes complicated information very accessible.

One place to purchase this book - Click here

GT Pie Creates Endowment for Youth

From the Ticker of Traverse City Business Magazine - 19 July 2014

Grand Traverse Pie Company is celebrating its 18th birthday today (July 19), by creating an endowment: Michigan Partners Helping Michigan's Youth. Today through July 26, GT Pie is dedicating a portion of all pie sales to the fund, which provides financial support for individuals in Michigan's foster care program who aspire to continue into higher education. The goal is to raise $12,000 during this year's celebration, with all money going directly to student needs, including housing, school supplies and other expenses related to their education. In addition to the birthday celebration, GT Pie partners will be matching funds. The endowment will be celebrated each year on the company's birthday. GT Pie Co., founded in 1996 by Mike and Denise Busley, has two locations in Traverse City, and thirteen additional shops around the state and in Indiana. Permalink

Community Chest appoints new executive director

Courtesy photo Aime Merizon (right) was recently named as the new executive director of Benzie County Community Chest. She is shown here with former executive director, Dave Yarnell, who retired from the part-time position.

BEULAH – Aime Merizon recently took over for David Yarnell as executive director of the Benzie County Community Chest. Yarnell has served in the part-time position since 2007. He recently retired from the position and also as a staff member of the Manistee News Advocate and moved from Manistee to Kalamazoo.

Merizon is not a newcomer to Community Chest. She served as executive director of the organization for six months in 2007 before a short-term relocation forced her to resign the position.

"I am very pleased to have the opportunity to pick up where I left off with Community Chest," Merizon said. 

More - Click here from Grand Traverse Insider 20 July 2014 

Some News from around our region - 21 July 2014

Some of the articles that have appeared in local press around this time:

Grand Traverse Insider

Come Run with the Bear ! - Click here

By Kristine Morris
Contributing Writer

Photo courtesy Lynn Becker Kids get ready to run with “The Bear” during a previous Annual Running Bear 5K Run/Walk and Half-Mile Kids’ Run, sponsored by the Glen Arbor Women’s Club. The event is a fundraiser for local scholarships. All are invited to participate in the race this year on July 22.

Popular 5K Run/Walk is a family affair

GLEN ARBOR – The Glen Arbor Women’s Club is hosting the 8th Annual Running Bear 5K Run/Walk and Half-Mile Kids’ Run on Tuesday, July 22, and there’s a reason this event is so popular with local residents and visitors: it makes everyone feel welcome. Click above for more ....

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United Front - Click here

By Kristine Morris
Contributing Writer

Wounded Warrior Project Logo

BARC and TRAMPS team up for Wounded Warrior Project

REGION – Local promoters of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), an approved 501(c) (3) organization, are launching a campaign this summer to raise funds for wounded veterans and their families.

Two local chapters of the national Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), the Benzie Area Radio Control club (BARC) and the Traverse Area Model Pilots Society (TRAMPS), are joining together to initiate a fundraising campaign that will run through the summer and culminate in a free model airplane show to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Thompsonville Airport.

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Leelanau Conservancy preps for Friends Picnic and Auction - Click here

By Kristine Morris - Contributing Writer

Photo by Carolyn Faught The Leelanau Conservancy’s Annual Friends Picnic and Auction provides a Kid’s Tent with crafts, Legos and other activities supervised by staff from the Leelanau Children’s Center. Kids will also be able to go on a scavenger hunt. “We love to see young families getting involved with the Conservancy as they are the future stewards of our peninsula,” said staffer Jenee Rowe.

LEELANAU – The Leelanau Conservancy’s Annual Friend’s Picnic and Auction will be held on Thursday, Aug. 7 at the Gregory Family’s enchanting “Top of the World” property northwest of Suttons Bay.

Pre-Picnic hikes and field trip will be held from 3-5 p.m., and the Picnic Dinner begins at 5 with a Social Hour featuring Leelanau wines and creative appetizers made from local products by area chefs. Silent Auction bidding will take place during this time. For more click above.

Rule of Thumb

Hank Rosso, one of the founders of the Fundraising School and "dean" of fundraising as a body of knowledge to be learned, said to me at the first conference I attended with him, "You should always contact a new prospect that you have been given within 24 hours of receipt of the name. The more personal the better."

TC Patriot Game to Benefit Vets

From TC Ticker - link below July 3, 2014

Proceeds from the Traverse City Patriot Game – the annual football clash between the Central Trojans and West Titans on September 12 – will once again benefit Reining Liberty Ranch, a program that helps returning northern Michigan veterans. Reining Liberty received more than $13,000 last year and used the money to purchase a new horse, build shelters and piloted an eight-week veterans program. The group was selected by Student Senate leaders from both Central and West. "The students were very impressed with how the ranch used last year's money," says West football coach Tim Wooer. "But they felt another boost from this year's event will help veterans dealing with PTSD and other trauma through new support programs." T-shirts will be sold and donations accepted to raise money. A portion of the funds will also go toward an eventual permanent veterans memorial at Thirlby Field. More info about the game and fundraising efforts is available by contacting the athletic departments at either school. Permalink