HACF major source of area funding

The Homer Area Community Foundation (HACF) has evolved into a major source of funding for the philanthropic needs of the Homer area. The funds of the HACF support a diverse range of programs and organizations. In 2003, the foundation board members awarded scholarships and grants totaling over $30,000 to 38 different individuals and organizations.

• opened a new fund - The Homer Recycling Center Facilities Community Project Fund. The foundation will be accepting donations for the Recycling Center for their new facility.
• continued to provide and support Homer Community School programs and scholarship assistance to Homer High School students.
• funded a Homer Youth Art website so children, family and friends can see youth artwork displayed on the World Wide Web.
• continued to provide assistance for the Homer Business Association, allowing the group to make possible many different programs, including an annual Summer Festival.
• continued to work with the Homer Arts Advisory Committee to provide successful theatre, choir and band productions for the Homer area.

None of these programs would be a success without the generosity of the community. The HACF is able to take contributions, large or small, and produce dramatic results for the Homer area.

As the HACF proceeds into its tenth year, board members want to remind the community to consider a donation as part of yearend giving. All contributions are tax deductible.

Board members are Carol Petredean-Di Salvio, Brent Holcomb, Kelly Jensen, Donna Stetler, Cindy Kirkbride, Luanna Miller, Lisa Ridgeway, Meredith Fogel, Daphne Stonebraker, Holly Blashfield, Sally Ander-son, Tom Petredean, Dick Folk, Rachel Maksimchuk and Gary Crist.

Breakdown of HACF Funds

The HACF is comprised of several funds. Most of these funds are endowed and a percentage of the yearly interest income is used for annual grant making.

Endowed funds

• Fund for Homer - Grants awarded from this fund focus on key areas of priority within the community.
• Bessie Edwards Education Fund - Bessie Edwards was a lifelong resident of Homer who wished her bequest to be used for “the enrichment of educational programs.” All grants awarded from this fund go exclusively to Homer Community Schools.
• Youth Fund - Grants from this fund are awarded by a committee of Homer community youth. This fund provides young people with a real experience in philanthropy.
• Homer Arts Fund - Grants from this fund will be awarded for maintaining, establishing and supporting the arts in the Homer community.
• Homer Public Library Endowment Fund - Grants from this fund will be awarded for maintaining and supporting the Homer Public Library.
• Homer Area Community Foundation Operating Fund - This fund has been established to support the operating needs of the foundation.

Endowed scholarship funds

• George and Betty Petredean Scholarship Fund - Scholarships awarded from this fund are for Homer Community School graduates and alumni. These scholarships are renewable through the recipient’s first four years of college.
• Harry and Linda Lucyshyn Memorial Scholarship Fund - Yearly scholarships awarded from this fund are for Homer Community School graduates. Consideration is given to those students who may be pursuing careers in audiology, sciences, agriculture and veterinary medicine.
• Homer Power for Kids Scholarship Fund - Yearly scholarships will be awarded to Homer Community School graduates whose school career has exemplified the principles of work, serve, learn, play and community service.
• Bessie L. Smith Scholarship Fund - Yearly scholarships will be awarded to Homer Com-munity School graduates and alumni based on scholarship, merit and community participation. This fund was established in memory of Bessie L. Smith, a lifelong Homer resident, educator, mother of five Homer High School graduates and active community member.
• Phil Duff Memorial Scholarship Fund - Yearly scholarships will be awarded to Homer Community School graduates based on scholarship, merit and community participation. This fund was established in memory of Phillip Duff, former Homer Elementary School principal and active community member.
• SLF/Blair Scholarship Fund - Yearly scholarships will be awarded to Homer Community School graduates based on scholarship, merit and community participation.

Endowed donor advised funds

Donor advised funds provide a simple and flexible tool for individuals, families, businesses or groups who want to be personally involved in suggesting grant awards made possible by their funds, while establishing a charitable legacy.

• Warren and Myrt Dexter Fund for Children - Established by Warren Dexter, an educator who has worked in the Homer Community Schools, and his wife, this fund will focus on key areas of priority in the community with a special emphasis on children.
• Cortright Educational Enrichment Fund - Established in memory of Nancy Cortright, this fund will focus on educational needs in Homer Community Schools.
• The following donor advised funds will focus on key areas of priority in the Homer community.
• Folk Family Fund - Established in memory of lifelong Homer resident Robert Folk.
• Miller Family Fund - Established in memory of Homer residents James and Lucy Miller.
• Rockwell Family Fund - Established in memory of Ben and Elsie Rockwell, who were active community members.
• Petredean Family Fund - Established by the George and Betty Petredean family.
• Swope Family Fund - Established by Stan Swope and family.

Unendowed funds

• Homer Arts Community Project Fund - This fund has been established to promote and support the arts in the Homer Community. An Art Advisory Committee has been formed and is presenting a second season of art programming in the community.
• Homer Area Community Foundation Operating Fund - This fund has been established to support the current operating needs of the foundation.
• Homer Recycling Facilities Community Project Fund - This fund has been established to assist in raising dollars needed to build a new facility for the Homer Recyclers.

Please note that contributions to unendowed funds are not eligible for the Michigan Tax Credit for Community Foundations.