Nicholas and Janet Darby did not originally come to Midland expecting to make it their permanent home. Yet, more than three decades later, they have become part of the fabric of a community they care deeply about, investing their time, resources, and generosity to help Midland thrive.
The Darbys arrived in Midland in January of 1993 when Nicholas transferred from Dow Canada to Dow’s corporate headquarters. Janet soon followed with a career of her own, joining Dow’s legal department as a law librarian, a profession she had practiced throughout her career after earning a master’s degree in Library Science. What began as a professional move quickly turned into something more. Over time, Midland became more than just a place to work.
“We love it here,” Janet shared. “Given the amenities and the opportunities, especially for people in surrounding communities, Midland has so much to offer.”
Like many residents who relocate for work, they spent their early years building careers and settling into daily life. Their connection to the Midland Area Community Foundation began years later during conversations with their financial advisors as they began organizing their charitable giving and estate planning. Education was an early priority, which led them to support the Midland Believes scholarship program and establish their own charitable fund at the Community Foundation.
What stood out to them was the Foundation’s role in understanding and responding to the community’s needs.
“The comfort is knowing the dollars are going to be used wisely and right here in the community,” Janet explained. “The Foundation is able to identify the key needs so we don’t have to worry about where our giving can make the greatest difference.”
That trust is a powerful reason many donors choose to work through the Midland Area Community Foundation. By managing charitable funds, convening community leaders, and investing resources where they are needed most, the Foundation helps community members like Nick and Janet turn generosity into lasting impact.
Their most recent step in that journey was joining the Wave Maker’s Society.
The Wave Maker’s Society is a group of forward-thinking donors who commit to supporting the Community Foundation’s ability to respond quickly to emerging needs and opportunities across Midland County. These flexible resources allow the Foundation to act when the unexpected occurs, whether by responding to disasters like 2020’s dam failures or by investing in projects that strengthen the community’s long-term vitality.
For the Darbys, the decision to participate came down to timing and trust.
“We had just met with our financial advisors and realized we were in a position where we wanted to increase our charitable giving,” Janet said. “Then, only a couple of days later, we learned about the Wave Maker’s Society. It felt like the right opportunity.”
What resonated most was the Community Foundation’s ability to respond quickly when the community needs it most.
“The community needs access to funds when something unusual happens,” added Nicholas. “And the Foundation can move quickly and efficiently with very little bureaucracy.”
That responsiveness is exactly what the Wave Maker’s Society is designed to support. By pooling resources from dedicated donors, the Community Foundation ensures it has the flexibility to meet urgent needs while continuing to invest in Midland’s future.
Although the Darbys have roots in Canada and could have retired anywhere, they chose to stay in Midland.
“We have no relatives here,” Janet reflected. “But after all these years, this community feels like home.”
Through their involvement with the Midland Area Community Foundation and the Wave Maker’s Society, Nicholas and Janet Darby are helping ensure Midland remains a place where generosity fuels opportunity and where neighbors continue to invest in one another for generations to come
