About the Foundation

What is the Foundation?

The Frankfort Elberta Chamber of Commerce Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable institution that was founded by the Frankfort Elberta Chamber of Commerce in 1999 to provide a way for concerned citizens to put charitable dollars to work for the general benefit of the Frankfort Elberta community.

The majority of the Foundation’s assets is comprised of the funds transferred to the Foundation by the Frankfort Fund upon its liquidation in 2011. The Board of Directors of the Foundation has allocated these funds to capital asset projects within our community. Recent examples of grant requests funded include partial funding of the Stories of Town and Harbor self-guided walking path through Frankfort, and full funding of architectural and engineering design services for a new restroom facility at the City of Frankfort Lake Michigan Beach.

The balance of the Foundation’s assets are small donations made by concerned citizens and businesses to provide funding for various events held throughout the year in Frankfort. Recent events partially funded by the Foundation include the Fall Festival, Take a Kid Fishing and Fourth of July fireworks.

The Foundation also manages two funds specifically earmarked. One is for the benefit of local Boy Scout troops and the second is for the Caleb Sutter Fund for pier safety equipment.

Our Mission

This organization was created in order to provide a long-term vehicle for the collection of funds and distribution of grants for charitable purposes and capital asset projects in and around the Frankfort and Elberta areas of Northwestern Michigan generally surrounding Betsie Bay. The Chamber of Commerce is the grantee for the various events. The projects supported by the Foundation include construction and installation of capital asset projects which will provide long-term usage for the overall benefit of the community. Examples under consideration include construction of a new community center, improvements to Lockhart Field, and preservation of the Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse.

Representation of Directors

The composition of the Board of Directors is a unique effort to include representatives from many areas of the wider community. In addition to representation from the active membership of the Frankfort Elberta Chamber of Commerce, the Foundation specifically seeks Board representation from local institutions such as Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital, the Maples, churches, the school district, and community service organizations, the City of Frankfort and the Village of Elberta Councils and members of the community at-large.

To Apply for a Grant

Although the funding available for Foundation giving is limited, we are making grants to worthwhile causes. Those interested in applying for a grant for community projects should complete the Grant Application.

For more information, contact Steve Christian at 231-352-7251 or at P.O. Box 566, Frankfort, Michigan, 49635, or stop in the office of the Chamber of Commerce at 517 Main Street in Frankfort.

To Make a Contribution

Easiest way to make a contribution is to stop in at the Chamber office and write a check to the “FEACofC Foundation” and leave it with the Chamber’s Executive Director Joanne Bartley. Please advise Joanne if you wish your donation be earmarked and used for a specific cause, event or project that you designate. Alternatively, you can mail your contribution to the Chamber at P.O. Box 566, Frankfort, MI, 49635.

If you wish more information about the Foundation, please feel free to contact the Frankfort-Elberta Area Chamber of Commerce. Your inquiries will be answered in a timely way by Foundation members.

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