Cook Family Foundation Issues Statement in Support of Local Nonprofit Organizations

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As a philanthropy with its roots in Shiawassee County, the Cook Family Foundation supports local efforts to improve our community. Vital to this work are locally-based, locally-governed nonprofit organizations. Far from here, our nation is overhauling its policy and programs that help those in need, provide our healthcare, protect the environment, and promote arts and culture. We don’t yet know how these changes will play out in our community, but those of us who work locally to address these issues are committed to our mission to serve. 

Nonprofit Partner Executive Directors at a Finances Workshop.

Local private funding makes up the majority, if not the entirety, of the budgets of most Shiawassee nonprofits. However, all nonprofits depend on the state and federal government for their legal designation as charitable organizations. Many of them receive small government grants for specific programs, new facilities, or added staff. A few of them receive a large amount of public funds to operate programs on behalf of governmental agencies because they are better able to serve specific community needs. Some of these organizations have recently lost funding, or are worried about their future; many have been criticized for their work.  

The Cook Family Foundation stands in solidarity with our nonprofit partners and continues our long-standing support of Shiawassee organizations. Recently we joined other funders in the philanthropic sector in signing the Commitment for Trust-Based Action through the National Center for Family Philanthropy and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. We also signed on to the Council on Foundations’ commitment to protect philanthropic freedom, with an emphasis on maintaining the freedom to direct our resources to a wide variety of important services, issues, and places without fear of retribution at a national level. 

Signing these commitments is not a one-time action and our commitment is deeper than a signature on a line. Rather, these actions display our unwavering support for nonprofits, and a commitment to respond to nonprofit needs in creative, trust-based ways. The Foundation cannot fill the gaps that loom for some of our partners who receive large percentages of federal dollars. However, the Foundation does want to make clear our support for the many missions of local groups and their critical contributions to the quality of life for all Shiawassee residents. 

The Cook Family Foundation is nonpartisan, both by choice and federal law. None of our nonprofit partners are political organizations; all work to improve the local community.  In these times, we feel it important to focus attention on the policy components of actions by the Executive Branch and Congress and their ramifications on local providers of services. State and federal policy changes frequently; our goal is to help ensure local nonprofits can adapt to those changes and meet their mission. 

As the charitable sector enters a new, but yet unknown, era, our nonprofit organizations need to re-affirm their mission, refine their programs, and strengthen their capacity.  From access to food to mental health services, Shiawassee nonprofits provide vital resources to support our community. For more than two decades, the Cook Family Foundation has provided technical assistance and financial support to our local nonprofits because we believe that they offer the most effective way to serve our community.  

Historically, the Cook Family Foundation supports our nonprofit partners during good and bad times. Meeting our nonprofits where they are, based on their needs during times of emergencies, is something we pride ourselves on. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the landscapes for nonprofits shifted; they had to answer different needs, find different resources, and literally adjust to save lives. Many lessons were learned, which we captured in a 2021 report.

During the COVID timeframe funding for nonprofits shifted, and the Foundation modified how we issued funds to our partners. Funding was offered in a variety of formats to our nonprofit partners, and they could request consulting support to help navigate operational support. As in the past, we maintain our trust in local nonprofits and plan to continue to adjust to meet our partners’ needs.

We trust our nonprofits to do good work, and rely on their input to decide on our grants.  Trust-based philanthropy is not a new concept. It is not new to the Foundation, and it is not new to many individual donors. Now is the time to commit more to unrestricted funding, and to commit more funding in general to those nonprofits on the front line of dealing with change.   The Cook Family Foundation pledges to increase our emphasis on trust-based, community philanthropy across Shiawassee County.  Please join us. 

 

 

Cook Family Foundation Funds Program at University of Michigan to Support Shiawassee Students

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Current U of M students from Shiawassee County at the Annual Fall Pizza Party with the Cook Family Foundation.

The Cook Family Foundation is deepening its commitment to supporting Shiawassee area students gain a world-class education at the University of Michigan. We are pleased to announce a new effort in Ann Arbor to increase our scholarship recipients’ access to Resource Navigators, an existing program of peer advisors who connect students with the many support services available on campus.

With new three-year funding from the Cook Family Foundation, a dedicated staff member will guide scholarship recipients to specific help for any of their individual needs.

“The University of Michigan can feel overwhelming at times, especially for students from rural areas like Shiawassee County,” said Yvette Collard, the Foundation’s Director of Scholarships. “There are tremendous resources available to a student at the University of Michigan, but they have to reach out for assistance. Having a staff member and peer Resource Navigators as the point of contact will help our students access the resources they need.”

Yvette Collard, Director of Scholarships, with two current Shiawassee Students attending the University of Michigan

Launched in 2021, the U-M Resource Navigator program began in response to students’ needs during the pandemic and continues to support students today. Building on the success of the Resource Navigator support, our new program will use this framework to support students from Shiawassee County. A Student Life staff member will assist Shiawassee students in navigating campus and help build a network of trust for student throughout their time at Michigan.

The University of Michigan promotes the well-being of all students, and this new program helps students access on-campus resources such as getting connected to Counseling and Psychological Services, finding undergraduate research opportunities or other job opportunities, connecting to academic support resources, and joining student organizations. These represent common needs for University of Michigan students, and a Resource Navigator can guide them to these resources.

“We are so proud of the students that are admitted to the University of Michigan” said co-Executive Director Anna Owens. “Having a dedicated staff person will help our scholarship recipients find support when needed, make it through their classes, and graduate from the University of Michigan.”

Any current U-M student looking to gain the help of a Resource Navigator can make an appointment using the online form: https://campusinfo.umich.edu/resource-navigators.

Shiawassee Students at the CFF’s Annual Fall Pizza Party at the Pizza House.

Also new this year in Ann Arbor is a student-run group called “Shiawassee Scholars at the University of Michigan.” This group, initiated by current Shiawassee students on campus, has as its mission “to create an environment fostering new communities, outreach, and giving back to the community from which we came. Through events and participation in outreach, we aim to foster new communities here on campus. Through outreach and giving back, we can further support the Shiawassee Scholars and Cook Family’s mission of seeing students from Shiawassee County succeed in secondary education.” To join the group, or to learn more, visit https://maizepages.umich.edu/organization/shiawasseestudentsum.

CFF Announces Grants to Battle Food Insecurity

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Thanks to those who volunteered in the recent Giving Tuesday food distribution event at Baker College – including (in photo) OMS Middle School Builders’ Club students and advisor Chris Bird.

To address hunger in Shiawassee County, the Cook Family Foundation announces six grants to nonprofit organizations that provide food to those in need.  Shiawassee County has over 10,000 people who are unable to access food regularly, almost 15 percent of the population.

“Food Insecurity is not a new concern in our community, but it is a growing issue,” said Rachel Osmer, Associate Director of the Foundation. “Access to food is one of the most basic needs for survival. Overall well-being is negatively impacted when folks do not have access to food; they are at higher risk for chronic diseases, mental health issues, and larger medical bills.”

In recognition of the significant volunteer efforts made by many in our community, several staff and board members of the Foundation took part in a Giving Tuesday food distribution sponsored by the Shiawassee Family YMCA.  

“We are impressed with the number of our neighbors who are helping out, and we are proud of the number of agencies devoted to meeting this need,” said Anna Owens, board member of the Foundation and the Y.  The Foundation provided a $1,000 grant to the Greater Lansing Food Bank to support food distribution events like these. 

Unrestricted grants of $1,000 are being made to the following organizations:

  1. Durand Area Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry 
  2. Elsie Area Food Pantry 
  3. Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee 
  4. Angel’s Hands Community Outreach 
  5. Perry Morrice Food Bank 
  6. Shiawassee Council on Aging

These initial grants are the first step toward building a stronger local network. There is already a Food Work Group started in Shiawassee County committed to food access efforts. Shiawassee Health & Wellness, MSU Extension, Memorial Healthcare, Greater Lansing Food Bank, local food pantries, and several nonprofit organizations are working together to address food insecurity across the county.

CFF staff and board members Tom Cook, Bailey Leppert, Yvette Collard, and Anna Owens provide hands-on assistance at the Giving Tuesday food distribution event (behind the camera – Rachel Osmer).

In the last few years, food insecurity has worsened because of inflation. At the same time as prices have risen, food assistance has fallen, as special COVID programs have been discontinued. The Farm Bill authorizes the federal government’s primary food assistance effort, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The current Farm Bill expired in September of 2023 and inaction on its renewal adds uncertainty to the future of SNAP. 

“We don’t know what the future holds with regards to federal programs,” said Tom Cook, Executive Director of the Foundation, “but building a stronger local food system will help those in need in Shiawassee communities.” 

In 2025, the Foundation is committed to working together with community organizations, volunteers, churches, and public agencies that strive to reduce poverty and food insecurity with those who collect surplus food, gleaners, local growers and other providers of food. 

“Farming is a local tradition in our area, and we look forward to finding ways for local growers to supply food to help those who lack access to healthy, affordable food,” said Cook. Look for announcements in early 2025 about opportunities for farmers and local growers to provide food for distribution locally.  For more information, contact Rachel Osmer at rachel@cookfamilyfoundation.org.