2009 Newsletter

Dole Family Foundation Newsletter       

     Fall 2009

Family Granting News

After the granting decisions made by the second generation of foundation directors, letters were sent with the grants to the Michigan Nature Association, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, and the Leelanau Conservancy indicating that the DFF expects to receive reports from these organizations as to the outcome of the grants.  The story below indicates one case where the money is already being put to good use.

Site Visit to DeYoung Farm

On Monday, Oct. 18, 2009, Stan and Betsy met staff of the Leelanau Conservancy at the DeYoung Natural Area farm.  Anne Shoup, Director of Charitable Giving and Matt, Stewardship Staff, took us to the stream restoration project.  There, we met Bill, the director of the Youth Works team. The kids work three days a week and go to school two days a week.  On alternate weeks they work two days and go to school three days.  The Conservancy uses the DFF grant to pay the kids minimum wage for clearing invasive species along the stream.   This entails cutting and clearing full grown glossy buckthorn and autumn olive shrubs that have crowded out everything else.   If the kids don’t attend school, they are dropped from the program.  So, it’s a win-win for the kids and for the stream.  The work will continue throughout the coming year as teams will go back in to clear any regrowth and plant native species.  The site visit gave evidence that the DFF grant was being well used and having the desired outcome.

     The photo shows Connor and Haley exploring the stream when visiting the DeYoung farm earlier in September. 

End of Year Tasks

Directors are reminded that their discretionary grant decisions need to be made and communicated to the Foundation Secretary who will disburse the funds.  

The Foundation Donors are currently making their “pass-through” grants.  Most of these are to environmental and population related groups.  They have decided to continue to fund the Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities music program at the same level as in 2008.  There continues to be demand for these services for “at risk” children in this largely Hispanic neighborhood where Betsy has been involved as founder of United Church Outreach Ministry.  She considers it to be justice related, rather than focusing on the arts, as it serves children who might not otherwise be exposed to learning piano, guitar, and violin.  The Executive Director met with Betsy and Stan recently to ask for continued funding, given the difficulty in raising new money in the current economy.