RCCF’s Early History

In June, 1997, North Central Michigan Community Foundation (NCMCF) was established – with Roscommon County becoming part of a foundation that served Crawford, Iosco, Ogemaw and Oscoda counties as well as Roscommon County.  The goal of this foundation was to positively impact the quality of life for all area citizens by promoting stewardship and leadership, by attracting and holding permanent endowment funds, and by awarding grants from the income of these funds.  Over the next few years, Roscommon became the most active of the five counties and managed to establish 24 endowment funds.  Roscommon County remained a part of the NCMCF for nearly five years.

The Roscommon County Community Foundation is Born!

In May, 2001, the Roscommon County Committee of NCMCF decided to initiate a drive to become an “independent community foundation”, allowing us to enhance our ability to grow our own funds and, thus, provide more support to the organizations of Roscommon County.

After receiving 501 (c) (3) status and the State of Michigan’s charitable solicitation license, Roscommon County Community Foundation (RCCF) became a reality in the Fall of 2001.  The Roscommon County Committee, a group of eight people under NCMCF, expanded to 16 people and became the first RCCF Board of Trustees.

In November, 2001, the Board of Trustees of RCCF decided to establish an administrative “Independence Fund” for the new Foundation.  At the same time, the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation of Midland awarded RCCF a $100,000 challenge grant. Under the terms of this challenge, RCCF was to receive one dollar for every dollar we raised for our administrative fund – up to $100,000, but we had to raise this money by December 31, 2002. Amazingly enough, and thanks to the generosity of 113 individuals, couples and foundations, RCCF met the terms of the challenge, raising $100,000.  So, with a total of $200,000, RCCF now had enough in its administrative fund to operate independently.

Endowment Funds and Grants

Roscommon County Community Foundation currently has 47 Endowment Funds and 6 Special Project Funds.  As of December 31, 2010 there was a total of $5,562,640 in the RCCF Assets supporting grants and scholarships.  To date, RCCF has given over $1.5 million in grants and scholarships to non-profit groups, schools, churches (for secular items only), government municipalities  and students in Roscommon County.   We are going strong and plan to be here for the years to come…

For good   For ever.