The Otsego County business community has a reputation for being extremely generous to local charities, and, despite the unknowns with the pandemic, business owners continue to share. This spring, Extreme Power Sports is a prime example of that generosity. Like so many...
Blog
2021 Kevin Reynolds Achievement Award Recipient: Bill Forreider
Each year, the Otsego Community Foundation board of directors nominate a fellow board member to receive the Kevin Reynolds Achievement Award. Kevin served as a member of the board for 10 years, between 2005 to 2014. This award was established in 2014 and is presented...
Celebrating Youth Advisory Committee Graduating Seniors
Will the Youth Advisory Committee miss our graduating seniors? The answer is a huge YES! Their knowledge and love for community has made them outstanding members of this dynamic group. When they leave, they will be leaving gigantic shoes to fill, but they have been...
Together We Can Do More…Join Us for 100+ Women Who Care
What is 100+ Women Who Care? Over one hundred women meet once a year for one hour and agree to donate $100 each to a local charity or charities that are nominated by and voted on by the membership. That means over $10,000 is invested in local charities right here in...
Celebrate Volunteers
Definition of the word "volunteer": A person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking. A person who performs a service willingly and without pay. Volunteers are worth their weight in gold and an important resource for any nonprofit. They...
Survey: Child Care in Otsego County
Could you take a few moments to help gather information on the child care available in Otsego County? Accessible and affordable childcare is a barrier faced by families, and the ALICE (asset limited income constrained, employed) report released yesterday...
Reflections on Nine Years
As the executive director of a nonprofit, I report to the board of directors. That means that depending on the size of the board, I have had 7-17 bosses at any given time in the last nine and a half years. Lucky for me, the OCF board nomination process has...
Congratulations, Dana Bensinger!
During the 2020 Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce annual awards ceremony, OCF executive director Dana Bensinger was awarded the Daune Weiss Memorial Business Person of the Year award. This award is given to a business owner or manager who best exemplifies Daune Weiss'...
Introducing the Mark Brown Fund
His love for the great outdoors was one of the main reasons Detroit native Mark Brown moved to Gaylord in 2014. Mark loved the slower pace, being in nature and several "up north" hobbies, especially hunting. Mark always appreciated that he'd had the...
New Scholarship Funds and a $2,500 Opportunity
The Otsego Community Foundation (OCF) scholarship application opens up online today, February 2nd. We are excited to announce there are a few big changes, including two new scholarships, as well as a substantial increase in one of the existing awards. New funds...
Introducing OCF New Board and Committee Members
The operations of the Otsego Community Foundation (OCF) are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of community members. We are happy to announce the addition of Justine Hees and Brandie Meisner to the board starting in January. They will be filling the...
Are You 12-19 Years Old? Help YAC Make Grant Decisions
The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) of the Otsego Community Foundation needs to hear your voice. You can do this by participating in the Youth Needs Survey. The Youth Needs Survey is used to identify the concerns of the youth in the community and region, and this...