A warm summer rain fell only briefly on Barton Hills Country Club, where golfers and volunteers gathered for the 10th annual Lake Trust Foundation Invitational.
On Monday, August 1st, 148 participants were in attendance for the 10th year of the Lake Trust Foundation Invitational. The golf outing is the largest yearly fundraising event for the Foundation, driving how much impact we can have on Michigan communities, together.
Lake Trust Foundation
Established in 2012, the Lake Trust Foundation is dedicated to the development of strong and vibrant communities in Michigan.
Since 2013, the Foundation has given $599,798 in grants and donations and presented a cumulative total value of $1.6 million in scholarships to students in Michigan. The grants and donations are given to those Michigan nonprofits whose programs and initiatives align with strategic priority areas to support initiatives like financial wellbeing, financial empowerment, and entrepreneurial/small business support.
Education
Continuing education can be an essential step on the way to new career opportunities. It can strengthen the individual as well as help to build the community that they serve. But for many, the costs involved can get in the way of those goals.
One of the Lake Trust Foundation's initiatives is to create an easier pathway for Michigan students by offering annual scholarships.
These include the Michigan Impact Scholarship, which provides up to five full-tuition scholarships to Cleary University for those entering high-demand careers. And the New Beginnings Scholarship, which supports six students each year who are entering a vocational or skilled trade career.
Since 2012, the Lake Trust Foundation has awarded a cumulative total value of over $1.2 million in college and trade school scholarships. Part of these scholarships have been made possible through our partnership with Cleary University.
One 2022 Michigan Impact Scholarship recipient, Jennifer, is currently a radiologic technologist at one of the largest health systems in the state. Jennifer plans to use the scholarship to complete her Health Care Management BBA at Cleary University and become a Medical and Health Services Manager.
“I want to foster a team that can best serve the community, who can stand strong in adversity, and still provide passionate care,” says Jennifer of her goals for the future.
Affordable Housing
The Lake Trust Foundation has worked to ease the struggle for affordable housing through several initiatives, including the Home Loan Giveback Program and through our support of Michigan housing nonprofits, like the Community Housing Network.
As part of our ongoing Home Loan Giveback program, two hundred dollars was donated to the Lake Trust Foundation for every home loan application received between May 13 and December 31, 2021 that resulted in a new mortgage or refinance.
As a result of the Home Loan Giveback Program, the Foundation recently donated $73,200 among 11 Michigan housing nonprofits that provide shelter, affordable housing, financial education, and more.
The Foundation’s support of the Community Housing Network1, a Southeast Michigan nonprofit, helped to cover housing emergencies for veterans, survivors of domestic violence, those struggling with mental health issues, and others. They offered housing assistance to Michigan residents, development of affordable housing, education, and advocacy.
Addressing Food Insecurity
In Michigan, almost one in eight people face hunger. And almost every county in Michigan has seen an increased need in the last couple years.
The Lake Trust Foundation provides meals for those in need through its support of many local food banks, including Feeding America West Michigan, Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Gleaners Community Food Bank, Forgotten Harvest in Metro Detroit, Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, and Greater Lansing Food Bank.
In addition to supporting local food banks, The Foundation’s Meals for Michigan program partnered with our members, team, and the community to raise enough funds to provide 304,770 meals to those in need.
One of the recipients of Lake Trust Foundation’s Meals for Michigan program was Food Gatherers1 who helped provide 7.5 million meals to individuals in need in Washtenaw County last year.
Other Areas of Impact
- University of Michigan Impact Investment Group: Grant support to the University of Michigan Impact Investing Group helped small businesses in Detroit and Ann Arbor access affordable microloans and consulting services.
- LEAD Foundation: Our donation to LEAD Foundation helped underprivileged athletes access food, shoes, tutoring services, mentoring, and more.
- Growing Hope: Our contribution to Growing Hope’s Teen Leadership Program supported 16 students who spent 8 weeks learning the business of sustainable agriculture, while completing volunteer projects and leading small groups.
- LMTS Community Outreach Services: Our contribution helped this Lansing nonprofit provide meals and other essential items to those with food and housing insecurities. They provided clothing and interview preparation, as well, for those seeking employment.
Each year, the Lake Trust Foundation will continue to further the mission and work with our community partners to continue to make a positive impact in Michigan. Together.
Thank You
Thank you to those who participated in this year’s event as well as the organizations that partner with us to make an impact throughout the year. It is by supporting each other that we’ve made a difference over the past ten years—and we can’t wait to see what else we can do, together.
If you’d like to support the Lake Trust Foundation, you can make a donation at any time. You can also support the Foundation’s initiatives by sharing stories with your social media followers.
