The Mission of the Foundation is to provide educational resources to an many members and charitable organizations as possible, as well as to support health and wellness. Interest free loans are available for Grange members to attend Universities, Colleges, and/or Trade Schools of their choice. Funds are also available for Grange Department Directors' programs including support for Youth Leadership and Promotion, Junior Activities, Family Activities, Lecturer’s Activities, Deaf Awareness Projects, and Community Service Projects.
The Foundation is supported by donations from Granges and by individuals who believe in the program. Additional funds are also gained from investments made by the Foundation Board of Directors.
A permanent Endowment Fund has been established from which only the interest earned is used for Foundation activities. Donations can be made directly to the endowment fund. In addition one-half of all general donations are credited to the fund. Establishment of this fund assures a continued support in the future of the Foundation programs.
Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible, as the Foundation is incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit entity. Donations can be made to commemorate the lives of
deceased friends, family, and Grange brethren. It is also suggested that donations can be made on special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc. The Foundation can also be named as a beneficiary in a will or trust, and can accept real estate and personal property donations. Your donations to the Michigan State Grange Foundation will be gratefully acknowledged and your support will be appreciated by the many benefactors that receive support from Foundation programs.
MARCH/APRIL 2023 GRANGE NEWS
Greetings, Brothers and Sisters
I'm the new Michigan Grange Foundation President. A position I humbly serve. As a member of the
National Grange for over 50 years, my life brought me to Michigan from California where I served as
the California State Grange Legislative Director, State Secretary and then as the State Master
(President). I've been a member at Burns Grange now for a while. Even though I'm not able to participate in Grange activities because we live in the Upper Peninsula where there is no active Grange, I do try to participate with time and talents where I can, including attending Sessions of the Michigan State
Grange and the National Grange.
I'm writing to you as I look out my window at yet another winter storm moving through the Upper Peninsula. We have about 10" last night and today of the white stuff after the first melt last week. Mother Nature loves to play temperature roulette!! I hope you're staying safe and warm wherever you are. Spring is just around the corner!!
Now on to my reason for this article. We realize not everyone may be aware that the Michigan Grange Foundation provides student loans to university/college or tech school bound students. Notice I said "loans", not "Scholarships". These loans are made available through the generosity of members' contributions and interest earned on Endowments to provide funding to students to kick-start their education each year for up to four years. Again, these are "loans". The details of the Loan program may be found here:
STUDENT_LOAN_REQUIREMENTS
Just to highlight a few bullet points of the Loan Requirements document: There is a limit of one loan per year ($1,000.00) and a maximum of four loans per student. The Foundation loan committee can extend the loan due date for up to four years providing the student is continuing their education and remains a Grange member in good standing. Repayment of all outstanding student loans will commence 90 days after any of the following:
a) Student graduates from university, college, or trade school.
b) Student discontinues their schooling for any reason.
c) Student’s Grange membership lapses.
Notice there is NO INTEREST that accrues during the loan period. However, the expectation is the loans be re-paid. Those re-payments are then placed back into the loan program for future student needs. Unfortunately, the Foundation has had to write off over $4,000 in outstanding older loans in the last two years. We've made every attempt of securing re-payment short of collection agencies. Our hope is that, if you know of a former student who has a loan with the Foundation, that you would reach out to them to gently remind them they have obligations based on the guidelines noted.
If you know of a student who is looking at entering higher education this year, visit our website at Michigan State Grange, click on Foundation, then Student Loan Application portal for all the details. The deadline for new applications for the Fall Semester is July 1 each year.
You may also find information on the Michigan State Grange website if you or your Grange would
like to make a donation to any of the areas the Foundation covers.
Don't forget about the MSG's 150th Anniversary coming up April 15 in Okemos!! See you there!
Fraternally, Naomi Fletcher, President, MSG Foundation