“Many things led to where I am today, but with the Community Foundation, my first interaction was with applying for a scholarship when I was in high school at Dow High.  I received an anonymous donor scholarship from the Midland Area Community Foundation, which helped me immensely.” “I had to pay for my own schooling, and it was $1,000, which back then paid for more than a semester, which is amazing, and books as well,” Craig says with laughter. “And so it was this incredible gift to me. I’d been saving for college, knowing I’d pay for it myself. But it was massive and helped me to get started and be the first person in my family to get a four-year degree. I remember Esther Gerstacker shaking my hand at the ceremony that I attended with my mom. From this experience, mentorship from Esther, and how my mom and grandfather lived with a philosophy of helping other people, a whole new avenue opened up for me. I went to college and, after graduating, returned to Midland to work for the Dow family. Around that time, Mr. Dow passed, and Mrs. Dow and her family began considering what would happen to this building long-term.” -Craig McDonald

As an active community partner, the Midland Area Community Foundation and its donors put energy behind beloved Midland traditions like the Midland Soccer Club. With endowment funds supporting the Club held at the Midland Area Community Foundation, the Club has the ability to advance its mission now – and in the future. "Soccer means a lot to my family because of what it has given us. My daughter played soccer all the way through high school, which, along with her academics, helped her get into West Point. It's a difficult admission process, only accepting 1,200 kids a year, so it's a big deal. Incredibly, during her time at West Point, there were also four other students from Midland Public Schools there at the same time. Along with the Midland Soccer Club, Midland Public Schools prepared my daughter well for college, and today she's a Major in the Army, teaches ROTC at Cornell, and will ultimately get her doctorate. She learned, she got an education, and she's had a career."

"The partnerships between philanthropic efforts of community members made possible by Midland Area Community Foundation and public services like Parks and Recreation are significant and vital to understand. Everyone is invited to participate and can engage in very simple ways. As the director of Public Services for the City of Midland, I have worked with the Community Foundation to seek grant support to build community assets - to create places where people can engage in creating or expanding their community experience. Smaller grants to put signage at City Forest, larger grants for Chippewassee Trail expansion, and the Grove promenade. Grants to support larger community initiatives like Miracle Field and Poseyville Riverfront restoration. I've partnered with the Foundation on the Fun Zone renovation - funding component plus volunteer engagement. And I'm an active member of the Access to Community Committee at the Foundation."

The essence of a community foundation is everyday community members coming together to make a difference in their own backyard. Your Foundation believes anyone can be a philanthropist through a dedication of time, talent, or treasure. Very few embody Midland Area Community Foundation's spirit like Dr. Linneaus (Lin) Dorman, who has been a member of the Community Foundation for all but five years of its existence. Dr. Dorman has been a Midland Area Community Foundation member since 1978 when he joined the Grants Committee. Since joining, he served as Foundation Trustee, Board of Trustees Vice President, Grants Committee Chair, Executive Committee Member, and Investment Committee Member. Additionally, as he worked as the first African-American research chemist at Dow Chemical, he assisted in founding the Midland Area Cultural Awareness Coalition. Beyond his work in service to The Foundation, Dorman and his late wife, Phae Dorman, also formed their own Midland Believes Scholarship, The Dorman Family Midland Believes Scholarship Fund.

"I dream of Midland being Inclusive Town, USA." "I want us to be known as a Small Town America that really did make an exceptional effort to include all people with all abilities and that we have not only the facilities to accommodate our own residents but to accommodate visitors and that we will be a destination for a wheelchair users and for people of all abilities who want to go on vacation. With so many resources and with so much education and the socio-economic power, we can do it because we placed a high priority on this. I have this hope and dream because of the people that I have interacted with so far; their deep level of emotional and personal involvement in what happens in the community allows me to literally see that vision coming to life."

Prologue: The Midland Area Community Foundation believes the best things happen when we work collaboratively with others to bring about change. In 2017 Bob Mass had an idea to enrich Midland County by adding a to-scale solar system along the Pere Marquette Rail Trail. Through the Midland Area Community Foundation, Bob connected with long-time Community Foundation donor Jim Malek and Midland County Parks and Recreation’s John Schmude. The Foundation was one of the proud funders of this project. Together with numerous other community partners, the incredible transformation of 5.6 miles of the Pere Marquette Rail Trail near Coleman became a reality.

Prologue: On Sunday, October 4, 1981, the Tridge, Midland's defining landmark, was officially dedicated to the citizens of Midland. The introduction of the Tridge marked a triumphant moment in Midland's history - signifying the community's commitment to collaboration, long-term transformation, and beautification through local resources and initiative. The Midland Area Community Foundation opened a project fund and led community efforts to raise $366,000, earning a matching challenge grant from the Gerstacker Foundation. Although the Community Foundation wasn't the largest funder, this project displayed the Foundation's ability to cultivate the power of giving in our community. Frank Gerace was named the general contractor on the project. The ripple effects of the Tridge's construction can still be felt throughout Midland, exemplified by Frank Gerace's legacy and the Community Foundation's position as a community leader.

“I think we need to be vulnerable, because if we're really going to create community change, you have to be vulnerable. Being vulnerable means that you can't have it all figured out. We have to be open to the input of others. At the end of the day, I have one perspective: mine. That's pretty narrow. But to create a better community, you need everyone’s perspective. If you don't have an openness and vulnerability, how are you ever going to listen? People are going to tell you things that you don't do well, and you have to be willing to listen to them, try it on, and to say, ‘You know, they're right about this.’” – Sharon Mortensen, President and CEO of the Midland Area Community Foundation