What is the Greenville Area Community Foundation (GACF)?

In late 1988, a group of visionaries led by then Mayor of Greenville, Lloyd Walker, discussed the idea of an organization that would help people of the Greenville area make charitable investments that would benefit the entire community. The Greenville Area Community Foundation (GACF) became just that type of organization in 1989. It is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization ( 501c3 ) that has grown to over $13,000,000 in endowed assets in just 20 years of existence. Since 1989, GACF's service area has grown to encompass the entire Montcalm County area through association with our geographic affiliate funds, as well as, through fund awareness and grants that benefit the entire county. To download a PDF list of funds within the GACF, click here.

Community foundations such as the GACF have three distinct features:

1. GACF gifts are permanently endowed ...

The fund principal is invested and protected
It's earnings are distributed via grants
Permanent community capital is built
And donor legacies are created!

2. GACF has a broad, flexible purpose ...

We monitor all community needs, i.e. education, health, human services, arts and culture, recreation, environment and community development
We support high-impact opportunities
We help bring organizations into existence
We re-direct funds as appropriate or needed as the ever-changing needs in our area surface!

3. GACF accommodates personalized giving ...

Donors fulfill multiple charitable intents
Donors can contribute in a variety of ways, i.e. cash, stocks or insurance, property, bequests, etc.
Donor can be involved in establishing a fund, i.e. unrestricted or field of interest, designated or advised, scholarships or memorials.
Donors gain maximum tax advantage

Through the generosity of many community-minded citizens over 85 funds have been developed within the GACF encompassing a variety of purposes. They include various scholarship opportunities, as well as, funding for fields of interest such as the arts, youth and senior citizens, literacy and education, as well as, local churches and organizations, museums and libraries. And one of the most important funds is the Unrestricted Fund that will truly allow the GACF to try and meet the ever-changing needs of the area for years to come.

For more information about the GACF or to review the annual audit and/or 990, please contact the office at 101 N. Lafayette, Greenville, MI 48838 or by calling 616.754.2640.

Why Support the Greenville Area Community Foundation?

GACF provides members of our community of modest or considerable means with the opportunity to return something to the community. By investing with your community foundation, you are contributing to a funding source that will make an immediate impact as well as a long-term difference in the quality of life in this area.

By setting up or contributing to a fund within the Greenville Area Community Foundation, you have the opportunity to give back to your community, be relieved of the burden of your yearly charitable giving and/or qualify for tax credits.(Michigan Community Foundation Tax Credit Page)

Donors can start their own fund with a gift of just $10,000 or they can contribute to funds already housed within the GACF. Funds can also be built over time using our "funds under construction" plan ... contact GACF for more information.

Checks should be written to the Greenville Area Community Foundation or GACF and if a specific Fund is desired, the name of the Fund should be indicated on the Memo part of the check or send along a letter with your intent clearly identified. Mail the check to Greenville Area Community Foundation, 101 N. Lafayette, Greenville, MI 48838. Contact GACF for information about endowment funds already in existence at GACF or questions about giving through your community foundation.

The GACF is here ... for good, for ever! Its purpose is to strive to meet the ever-changing needs of the area and to promote philanthropy throughout the service area and it's citizens … in perpetuity.

Michigan Community Foundation Tax Credit

How it Works

A fifty percent direct Michigan personal income tax credit or Michigan single business tax credit applies to all gifts to certified community foundations up to:

$100 for an individual taxpayer who is single, or married and filing separately.
$200 for a married couple filing jointly.
$5,000 or ten percent of the tax liability before any credits (whichever is less) for resident estate or trust.
5,000 or five percent of the tax liability before any credits (whichever is less) for businesses filing single business income tax returns.

Originally signed into law December 29, 1988, the Michigan Community Foundation Tax Credit was designed to encourage individuals and businesses to build the permanent endowments of community foundations across the state. This tax credit is intended to bring additional dollars to communities by generating new donors and encouraging more permanent endowment support rather than tempting donors to shift their dollars from other organizations.

The law permits a taxpayer to reduce their Michigan Income Tax or Michigan Business Tax liability by a credit of 50% of the amount contributed to a community foundation endowment fund, subject to a maximum credit of: $100 for an individual filing singly ($200 donation); $200 for a couple filing jointly ($400 donation); $5,000 or 10% of the tax liability before any credits (whichever is less) for a resident estate or trust (based on a $10,000 donation); or $5,000 or 5% of the tax liability before any credits (whichever is less) for businesses filing Michigan Income Tax returns (based on a $10,000 donation).

The Community Foundation Tax Credit is separate from, and not reduced by, the existing credits for contributions to Michigan Public Broadcasting stations, Michigan colleges and universities, and in-state public libraries, museums, municipalities, and other authorized recipients.

For more information regarding how the Michigan Community Foundation Tax Credit could enhance your charitable giving, contact the GACF office or talk to your financial advisor.

Leadership - Board of Trustees and Staff

The Greenville Area Community Foundation is led by a 15-member Board of Trustees. They represent many different aspects of the community and are selected based on their experience and interest in enhancing the local quality of life. They represent area business, government, schools, the arts and other facets of a vibrant community.

Members of the GACF Board of Trustees include:

Board Chair Dr. Peter Blinkilde, Vice-Chair Charlotte Lothian and Secretary/Treasurer Eric Januzelli. Byron Cook became Chair Emeritus in 2002 and Lee Renterghem received Chair Emeritus status in June of 2006.

Trustees include Susan Ayres, Bill Braman, Jeanne Cunliffe, Dan Eagles, Dick Ellafrits, Bill Ham, Doug Hinken, Dr. Charles McNinch, John O'Donald DDS and Phil Tower.

Six of the Trustees are appointed by area entities. They include: Doug Hinken and Jeanne Cunliffe - appointed by the Mayor and City of Greenville; Bill Braman - appointed by Eureka Township, Charlotte Lothian - appointed by the Cultural Community; Dr. Charles McNinch - appointed by the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce and Susan Ayres - appointed by Greenville Public Schools.

Sally Marshall joined the staff on a part-time basis as FIMS Administrator (GACF's donor data base and financial software) in 2002. Amy O'Brien joined the staff on a part-time basis in January of 2006 as its Program Administrator (grants and scholarships). Alison Barberi is the President and CEO and has been with the GACF since December of 1999.

The board meets six times a year with the Annual Organizational Meeting in January. The GACF is always looking for people interested in becoming involved on a volunteer basis. If you are would like more information about those opportunities, click on the Contact Us section.

Tower Legacy Society

Become a member of the Tower Legacy Society …

You've lived here.
You've worked here.
The Greenville area has been good to you.

You can give back with a gift to our community’s future.

By designating a portion of your estate for future good works, you can endow a charitable fund at the Greenville Area Community Foundation that will bear your name (or any name you choose) forever. Your gift will establish a permanent legacy, provide a lasting source of pride and build a stronger community.

The GACF Legacy Society was named after and in honor of Ray and Mary Tower. They were the first to name the GACF as a beneficiary in their estate plans. We lost our friends in 2008-09 and they will be missed. But their legacy will live on through their gift to GACF and the good it will do for our community - for ever - as well as through the Tower Legacy Society.

Permanent Legacy

Name your fund for yourself, your family, people important in your life or a favorite cause. Here are just a few funds from generous donors who have chosen to give back to their community.

The Aggressive Tooling Fund • The Bill & Helen Braman Fund • The Dee & Byron Cook Administration Fund • The Bill & Harriette Cook Literacy Fund • The Jennifer Marie Horst Memorial Scholarship Fund • The Catherine Stall & June Motley Fund • The John Lothian Fund for Scouting • The Lena & Fred Meijer Fund • The Porter & Marian Walker Fund • The Montcalm Panhandle Community Fund • The Victoria Walter Patterson Memorial Scholarship Fund • The Reisch Family Memorial Fund for Children • The Rossman Family Scholarship Fund • The Lakeview Area Community Fund • The Grace Sagendorf Fund for Education • The Hazel Saeger United Methodist Church Fund • The Stafford Community Enhancement Fund • The Flat River Community Library Fund ... and many more!

Source of Pride

Document your local history, philosophy of giving or personal statement as part of your gift to future generations. The Community Foundation will be the keeper of your name, your charitable intent, your legacy.

Stronger Community

Direct your gift to the GACF Unrestricted Fund or to any field of interest fund. Our professional program staff has broad expertise and can target grants to make a difference where they are needed most.

Enriching education
Safeguarding health
Strengthening families
Improving neighborhoods
Cultivating arts
Protecting environment

Planning Your Legacy Is Easy

Assess your estate value
Arrange for yourselves and family
Calculate a percentage for your community
Determine the most advantageous assets to give; you may want to consider these assets:
- 401(k), IRA and other qualified retirement assets
- Life insurance
- Other estate assets that your heirs find of lesser value, such as real estate

If your estate is subject to estate taxes, a charitable planned gift established today may actually help reduce taxes and preserve more assets for your heirs.

Here to Help

Interested in learning more?

Please let us know about your charitable intentions. We can work with your estate, tax or financial advisor to help you achieve your charitable goals. We also want to invite you to join other generous individuals in our Tower Legacy Society.

Contact Alison Barberi at the Greenville Area Community Foundation for conversations, ideas, planning guides and more. 616.754.2640 or via email.