Romeo High School’s Class of 2024 and recent Romeo graduates were awarded more than $200,000 in 4CCF scholarship funds.
Four County Community Foundation’s scholarship program has surpassed the half-million dollar mark this year, awarding more than $600,000 in scholarship funds to graduating high school seniors and current college students. The 2024 award total is nearly double what was distributed in 2023, due in large part to two new opportunities—the Koerner Family Foundation and Ruth M. & Mary Margaret Farley scholarships.
A total of 32 Almont and Romeo High School seniors and recent graduates became the first recipients of the Koerner Family Foundation Scholarship. These scholarships were awarded to those studying business, engineering, information technology, animal medical health fields, natural sciences, or vocational/technical training at an accredited trade school, college or university. A student may receive up to four Koerner Family Foundation awards.
Two Almont High School seniors were awarded the inaugural Ruth M. & Mary Margaret Farley Scholarship, a four-year award that recognizes high-achieving students who demonstrate community service, student leadership, and financial need. Both sisters graduated from Almont High School—Margaret in 1936 and Ruth in 1938.
Additionally, in April Four Count Community Foundation (4CCF) trustees gave a green light to committee reviewed Quarter 2 grants worth nearly $100,000.
Funding destined for local schools includes Imlay City’s Borland Elementary “One School, One Book” summer reading program and the creation of Almont Community School’s Junior Dance Team.
Among those community projects approved to receive grant dollars are Imlay City Downtown Development Authority’s plans to install bike racks, tactical medical kits for the Metamora Township Police Department, a restoration project at Ray Township’s Procter Cemetery and a new cemetery military marker in Romeo for veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Parks and recreation projects also received second quarter funding. Oxford Township was awarded grant dollars to expand and enhance their pickleball facilities. The Village of Dryden, with help from Eagle Scout candidate Grace VandenBerghe, will use grant dollars to create a playground at Cardinal Field. Grants were also approved to help local youth participate in summer camp opportunities provided by the Boy Scouts and The Lions Bear Lake Camp.
Review committees also chose to support job and life skills programming offered by the Rising Stars Academy Foundation in Macomb County and the work of Friends of Foster Kids for their Spirit of Christmas and Hats Off to Grads projects in in Macomb and Oakland counties.
Food insecurity remains a need in the 4CCF service area. Imlay City’s First Congregational United Church of Christ and Oxford’s Immanuel Congregational United Church of Christ were successful applicants in the most recent funding cycle.
“As I make my way across our Four County service area congratulating scholarship and grant awardees, I am reminded of the huge impacts that these awards make,” said Kathy Dickens, 4CCF’s Executive Director.
“Our grants are funding local pantries who help families get through rough patches. Our scholarship donors are funding tuition for students who have great ambitions. All of this good work is made possible from gracious donors and we are so grateful for them. Donations ranging anywhere from $25 to $250,000 are what make this good work happen!”
Monday, July 1 is the next deadline for applications. Applications and more information about the grant-seeking process can be found online at www.4ccf.org/grantees/. The Foundation provides grants to eligible, IRS tax-exempt organizations, schools, and governmental agencies operating in the Four County Community Foundation service areas in Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb and Oakland counties. Grants are made to support innovative ideas in education, health, and community, including youth and adult programs.
In addition to the traditional grant application, 4CCF’s Youth Advisory Committee also offers a Grant Tank program that provides up to $3,000 for youth-driven projects. In lieu of a traditional grant application, Grant Tank applicants can fill out a short form and submit a video describing their project. Grant Tank information can be found online at www.4ccf.org/grantees/.
For more information about Four County Community Foundation, visit www.4ccf.org or call (810) 798-0909.