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? Visit UM-Flint!

RSVP here!

Thursday, Nov 6, 2025

7:45 AM – Depart 

• We will be departing from the Shiawassee County Fairgrounds, located at:  2900 Hibbard Rd, Corunna, MI

8:15 AM – Arrival (William S. White Building – WSW)  8:45 AM – Brief Welcome 

• TBD
• School of Nursing & College of Health Sciences overview 
• Housekeeping – Ashley McCloud

9:15-10:30 AM – William S. White Lab Tours + Murchie Science Presentations + Fine & Performing Arts Walking Tour – To be confirmed

• 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

10:30-10:45 AM – Break / Buffer / Bus WSW attendees over to UCEN bus loop  10:45-11:30 AM – Faculty/Staff Panel & Final Presentation (University Center – KIVA)

Q&A Panel – Moderator: TBD

• Brief Financial Aid Presentation & Admissions Steps 
  • TBD
  • Ashley McCloud, Senior Admissions Counselor 

11:35-12:15 PM – First-Street Housing Tour 12:20-1:30 PM – Lunch at Market 1:30 PM – Busses pickup groups from Flint Farmers Market

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.

---

Foundations of Board Governance – sponsored by JACKSON Wednesday, October 22, 2025 – In Person

Effective board governance is critical for the success and sustainability of nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit boards take on the deeply important task of ensuring the health of the organization by providing direction to the Executive Director. With such an ask, it’s important to ensure that board members are highly knowledgeable in understanding their legal duties to the organization in addition to the core components of what leadership they will bring while steering the organization into long-term success. Nonprofit boards have the ultimate responsibility and accountability for the organizations they lead. Does every member of your board understand their legal obligations, basic responsibilities, and duties? During this workshop, participants will learn:

• The three legal duties of a nonprofit board member overview
• An overview of the 10 basic responsibilities of a nonprofit board
• The difference between a working board and a governing board
• At least one “better practice” actionable to implement into their own board governance practices

Designed for –  It doesn’t matter if you have served on a board for years or if you are serving on a board for the first time, this workshop will help you with whatever stage of board development you are at within your organization. This workshop is designed for current and prospective board members, nonprofit staff and executives, and anyone interested in nonprofit governance. Date: October 22, 2025 Time: From 1:00 pm until 3:30 pm *Location: Marshall Street Armory, 330 Marshall St., Lansing, MI 48912 – in the Community Room Cost: This is a FREE opportunity facilitated by Nonprofit Network and generously sponsored by Jackson National Life Insurance Company RSVP HERE – Registration is required to help with preparation of food and rooms. 

---

When Funding and Access Shrink: Protecting People, Programs, and Progress Friday, October 24th, 2025 – In Person

As federal and state funding landscapes shift and access to essential resources contracts, the consequences ripple across the most vulnerable communities. This summit (designed for) brings together funders, nonprofit leaders, and impacted program stakeholders for a critical and solutions-focused dialogue on how to respond with urgency, collaboration, and equity. “When Funding and Access Shrink: Protecting People, Programs, and Progress” is designed to:

• Illuminate the real-time impacts of funding reductions on vital community services and the people they serve.
• Facilitate cross-sector collaboration to mitigate harm, reduce program erosion, and address critical infrastructure.
• Strategize around equitable resource allocation, advocacy opportunities, and innovative approaches to preserve progress in health, housing, education, and economic mobility.
• Elevate community-informed solutions that ensure frontline voices guide how we adapt, invest, and rebuild.

This is not just a moment for reflection—it is a call to action. Funders and program leaders must align now to safeguard the collective progress we’ve made and chart a more just and resilient path forward. Co-facilitated by Regina Pinney, Nonprofit Network Executive Director and Renell Weathers, Advocate and Public Policy Consultant Funders Panel: 

• Monica Moser, Jackson Community Foundation
• Regina Bell, Council of Michigan Foundations
• Sharon Karaboyas, Michigan Health Endowment

Community Conditions Panel:

• Paula Cunningham, AARP
• Rachel Richards, Michigan League for Public Policy
• Terrence Baker, Michigan Department of Human Services

Format: In-person Dates: Friday, October 24, 2025 – 10 AM until 1PM  (light refreshments provided) Location: Commonwealth Commerce Center, Room 401 (South Entrance) 209 E. Washington St., Jackson, MI 49201 Cost: This is a FREE opportunity facilitated by Nonprofit Network and generously sponsored by AARP MICHIGAN RSVP Here – registration required to accommodate room sizes and refreshments.

---

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 7 event Here
• Register for the December 9 event Here

For more information on workshops, our other learning opportunities and to learn more about the NonProfit Capacity Building program click here: Capacity Building Participation