SCHOLARSHIP-RELATED EVENTS
Through the Shiawassee Advantage, the Cook Family Foundation offers at least a $3,000 scholarship to all Shiawassee area students who are admitted to University of Michigan–any one of their three campuses. (Click here for full details regarding our scholarship work.) We encourage the best and brightest high school graduates from the greater Shiawassee County region to pursue an education at a premier university, including the world class University of Michigan. If you are a Shiawassee area senior (or rising senior) and are interested in the University of Michigan (any of their campuses) please read more about our scholarship programs https://www.cookfamilyfoundation.org/scholarships/ and look at the FAQs and testimonials. Most importantly, fill out an application for our scholarship. This will make it possible for us to give you the most help. For Michigan residents, UM may be your most affordable option and is certainly a great value.
In addition to helping students receive scholarships and the maximum amount of financial aid, the Foundation is committed to providing top students advice and help throughout their high school years on up through and beyond the application process (and through the Shiawassee Scholars program, which is expertly run by the Shiawassee Regional Education Services District’s, Kelsee Gewirtz.) To that end we try to round up expert information and share with students and parents. See below for our upcoming scholarship-related events and how to participate.
COMING THIS FALL:
Interested in checking out UM-Flint?
Thursday, Nov 6, 2025
7:45 AM – Depart- Byron, Chesaning, Corunna, Laingsburg, Morrice, Ovid-Elsie, and Perry: Leave from Shiawassee RESD’s College & Career Readiness Center (CCRC) – 201 E Washington Avenue, Vernon, MI
- Durand and Owosso: Leave from Great Lakes Fusion – 7505 E M-71, Durand, MI
- TBD
- School of Nursing & College of Health Sciences overview
- Housekeeping – Ashley McCloud
- College of Health Sciences & School of Nursing Rotating Lab Tours
-
- Nursing Simulation Center –
- Occupational Therapy –
- Physical Therapy –
- College of Innovation & Technology Presentations
- Fine & Performing Arts Spaces – To be confirmed
Q&A Panel – Moderator: TBD
- Brief Financial Aid Presentation & Admissions Steps
- TBD
- Ashley McCloud, Senior Admissions Counselor
NONPROFIT PARTNER EVENTS
We believe that Shiawassee nonprofits should have access, locally, to experts in nonprofit management, and we bring presenters to our community for free educational programs. If you’d like to participate and are not already a member of our Shiawassee NonProfit Capacity Building program, please email Rachel Osmer at: rachel@cookfamilyfoundation.org or call 989-725-1621.
Jackson County DHHS, and Nonprofit Network invite you to attend this FREE online training for community members
who support those that may have experienced childhood trauma.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood. ACEs can include violence, abuse, and growing up in a family with mental health or substance use problems. Toxic stress from ACEs can change brain development and affect how the body responds to stress. ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse in adulthood. However, ACEs can be prevented.
Session Agenda: Thursday, August 21, 2025 from – 1 PM until 4 PM Online (These sessions are not recorded to allow a safe space for sharing)
- Neuroscience and how Trauma Affects the Brain
- Epigenetics – History and Trauma
- Adverse Childhood Experiences
- Resilience and Positive Childhood Experiences
**Please be advised: We would like everyone to be aware that this session will provide education on childhood trauma and doing this also requires that we each think back to our own childhoods. This may cause stress or trigger some memories and feelings that are difficult. The presenters will also speak to this at the beginning of the workshop.
REGISTER HERE
Grant Writing Basics for your Nonprofit
This fast paced and interactive workshop will discuss the basics of grant writing, including how to answer questions (or know what an application is actually asking), practical do’s, don’ts and slaying some myths that remain about grant writing’s role in a healthy nonprofit’s efforts to advance its mission. All participants should come prepared to share, learn, and plan. Curriculum will include assessment tools, discovery sessions and best practices.
This workshop will provide participants with the following:- An understanding of what funding organizations look for in grant recipients
- The components of a successful grant proposal
- Customizable to-do list
- Key strategies to engage program staff and finance people
REGISTER HERE
Title: Beyond the Board Table: Accountability, Advocacy, and Executive Partnership
Date: September 30, 2025 (2 time choices)
AM Option: 9 AM to 11:30 AM (ET US and Canada) in-person or on Zoom (majority registrations decide how it’s presented)
PM Option: or 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM on Zoom only
DESCRIPTION:
Board service doesn’t end with meetings and minutes. Today’s nonprofit boards are being called upon to serve as visible champions, accountable stewards, and powerful partners to their executive directors. This 2-hour interactive workshop will ground board members in the core responsibilities of community representation, offer practical strategies for supporting the executive director without overstepping governance boundaries, and clarify what real accountability looks like—individually and collectively.
This session will challenge participants to reflect on how their presence, communication, and decision-making affect the organization’s integrity, public trust, and leadership effectiveness. Designed for both new and seasoned board members, the workshop draws on principles of justice, equity, and inclusive governance to elevate board culture and performance.
Required Pre-Work: Board 101 (Foundations of Board Governance) is a pre-requisite to this workshop (provided for free). This on-demand video is granted during a completed registration and can be taken on your time, anytime prior to this workshop in our Online Learning Center. (No need to take the access form)
Designed For – This workshop is ideal for all Executive Directors, Board Chairs and any Board Members
Register Here for the AM Session Register Here for the PM Session
Cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to the meeting if you are unable to attend. These workshops are offered at no-cost and “No-Shows” may affect the ability of organizations to participate in future events.
Upcoming Partner Events with Nonprofit Network
Getting the months started off right! These Peer Support events will be highly supportive and interactive opportunities to share lessons learned. These events will help you be responsive to current issues, staffing, or whatever else you want to discuss.
Come prepared to share what you know and as always, we will find time to breathe, laugh, cry – or whatever may be necessary.
- Register for the October 4 event Here
- Register for the December 9 event Here
August 12th – Nonprofit Network ED Retreat with Cook Partners
Event: ED Retreat with Cook Partners Date: Tues. August 12, 2025 Time: 9:30 AM Arrival Location: Earthwell Retreat Center: 18580 Grass Lake Rd, Manchester MI 48158
Register Here
If you have any other questions please email Tracey@Nonprofnetwork.org or call 517-796-4750 x1 or reach to Rachel.|
**Please note** |
If you are a member of our NonProfit Capacity Building Program and would like to see a workshop brought to our area, we would consider supporting this effort IF you collaborate with at least two other nonprofits on your chosen topic for Nonprofit Network (or another facilitator) to present, AND IF each participating organization can commit to bring at least five members of their organization (Board Members, Staff, Volunteers, etc.) to the workshop.
Feel free to contact Rachel Osmer (989.725.1621) or the professionals at Nonprofit Network (517-796-4750) for more information on any session topic, or to determine if collaborating to coordinate a future session would be right for you and your organization.
For more information on workshops, our other learning opportunities and to learn more about the NonProfit Capacity Building program click here: Capacity Building Participation.
SCHOLARSHIP-RELATED EVENTS
Through the Shiawassee Advantage, the Cook Family Foundation offers at least a $3,000 scholarship to all Shiawassee area students who are admitted to University of Michigan–any one of their three campuses. (Clickhere for full details regarding our scholarship work.) We encourage the best and brightest high school graduates from the greater Shiawassee County region to pursue an education at a premier university, including the world class University of Michigan. If you are a Shiawassee area senior (or rising senior) and are interested in the University of Michigan (any of their campuses) please read more about our scholarship programs https://www.cookfamilyfoundation.org/scholarships/ and look at the FAQs and testimonials. Most importantly, fill out an application for our scholarship. This will make it possible for us to give you the most help. For Michigan residents, UM may be your most affordable option and is certainly a great value.
In addition to helping students receive scholarships and the maximum amount of financial aid, the Foundation is committed to providing top students advice and help throughout their high school years on up through and beyond the application process (and through the Shiawassee Scholars program, which is expertly run by the Shiawassee Regional Education Services District’s, Kelsee Gewirtz.) To that end we try to round up expert information and share with students and parents. See below for our upcoming scholarship-related events and how to participate.