Partnership
The partnership between GMACF & CFMC aligns expertise, technology, and resources to ensure Milan residents have access to an expansive set of grants, scholarships, and funds to support Milan. Together, with the help of the Milan Community, we look forward to continuing the stewardship, thoughtful philanthropy, and strong community engagement that has defined the Greater Milan Area Fund for the past 17 years!
Community foundations are a valuable resource for a community interested in making a difference by meeting the current & future needs of our local community. Affiliate Funds are designed to benefit a specific geographic community in the same way. Our affiliate, Greater Milan Area Community Fund is overseen by an advisory board of local leaders who are charged with two tasks: first, working with their friends and neighbors to share with them how an affiliate fund can benefit the area; and second, helping make wise decisions about grant distributions when such funds become available. We are proud to have the following individuals represented on our Affiliate Fund Advisory Committee: Dr. Eric Peacock, Barbara Gardinier-Wollmann, Edward Wollmann, Christina McMullen, Jodie Franklin, Tina Walther & Bryan Girbach.
Scholarships
Celebrating our 2022 grads! This year we awarded $33,500 in scholarships to Greater Milan Area students. Congratulations to our brightest & best:
Milan Area Schools Board of Education Scholarship
Benjamin Cislo
Cloe Fetterolf
Samuel Halliday
Delaney Higgins
MacKenzie Hunt
Kendal Sanders
Sophia Satarino
Zachary Zeller
Ethel Richards Memorial Scholarship
MacKenzie Hunt
Evan Morelock
Ethan C. Jones Memorial Scholarship
Zachary Zeller
Kendal Sanders
Eric Harrison Memorial Scholarship
Evan Morelock
Evelyn (Hitchingham) Gerstenberg Memorial Scholarship
Adam DuBois
Samuel Halliday
Sierra Moore
Loren Rosenthal
Duane & Isabelle Schultz Milan Area Schools Alumni Scholarship
Benjamin Cislo
Molly Smith
Michael A. Tittiger Sustainability & Conservation Scholarship
Cloe Fetterolf
David Glenn Memorial Scholarship
Molly Smith
Thomas Fox Scholarship
Samuel Halliday
Members of Milan High School’s Code Red Robotics, FRC Team 5567 preparing their robot for competition.
Milan Educators for Social Justice received a grant in 2021 for books to enhance their knowledge of social justice issues to develop more just classrooms, schools & communities.
One of six welcome signs the Milan Beautification Commission refreshed & updated with a GMACF grant.
Grants Awarded
2021 was a record year for GMACF, with over $94,000 awarded!
Take a look at some of the great things accomplished in Milan:
Grant
Description
Amount
Moving Milan Forward
Moving Milan Forward requested funds for renovated Tolan Square with plantings in the garden beds, new furniture in the square, and street lighting.
$10,000
Moving Milan Forward
Moving Milan Forward requested funds for four large planters in the redeveloped Tolan Square. The largest will include plaques recognizing the three GMACF founders.
$10,000
Elementary STEM Program
This special program is for young 5’s thru 5th grade. The school was in need of supplies which included flooring, paint, consumable & non-consumable items, overhead mirrors, storage shelves, etc.
$10,000
Compassion Ministries
Compassion Ministries’ mission is to provide food and clothing to those in need. This grant was requesting funds to purchase a walk-in freezer.
$9,090.06
Milan Schools Music Program
Milan Area Schools requested funds to provide online subscriptions to music curriculum platforms for Milan High School & Milan Middle School.
$9,000
Aid in Milan
Requested funds for health and safety items for staff & clients. Additionally, these funds are requested for new desks & chairs following a recent renovation.
$7,000
Washtenaw Area Council for Children
Washtenaw Area Council for Children requested funds to implement comprehensive cyber safety, cyberbullying & wellness, and resiliency education training for early elementary to 12th-grade students.
$6,250
American Legion Post 268
American Legion Post 268 requested funds to install a seawall and fencing along their property boarding Ford Lake.
$5,000
Big Red Bundles
Big Red Bundles requested funds to purchase at least the top 10 school supplies requested by teachers for students in need at all four Milan schools.
$3,000
Symons Elementary PTO
The Symons Elementary POT requested funds to update the Symons library with more diverse & inclusive books for children.
$3,000
Milan Seniors for Healthy Living
Milan Seniors for Healthy Living requested funds for a six-month mentoring program to refine internal accounting processes, improve knowledge and reduce time spent on bookkeeping.
$2,850
Milan Public Library
Requested funds to replace their old water fountain with a water bottle/cup dispenser.
$2,800
Milan Area Chamber
Requested funds for the annual Christmas parade & parade day activities.
$2,500
Knights of Columbus
Requested funds to provide 100 free meal tickets each to K of C, Aid in Milan, and MSHL for K of C community dinners.
$2,250
Milan High School Code Red Robotics
The Code Red Robotics Club builds robots for competition while also learning science, technology, and engineering skills.
$2,000
Milan Youth Soccer
Requested funding for a new storage shed.
$2,000
Milan Beautification Commission
Requested funds to refresh & update the six welcome signs coming into town.
$2,000
Milan Educators for Social Justice
Milan Educators for Social Justice requested funds to purchase 20 copies of 3 books for staff study to enhance knowledge of social justice issues to develop more just classrooms, schools & communities.
$1,300
London Township
London Township requested funds for township cleanup including dumpsters and illegal dumping deterrents.
$1,300
Milan Police Department
Milan Police Department requested funding for Carter Kit Sensory Bags. These bags contain items to comfort children on the autism spectrum as well as other children who are impacted by traumatic events.
$889.80
London Township Neighborhood Watch
London township Neighborhood Watch requested funds for a dumpster, garbage bags, gloves, vests, etc. for area clean-up.
$800
Milan High School Gender & Sexuality Alliance
Milan High School requested funds for the Gender & Sexuality Alliance Book Club and GSA Pride picnic in the park.
$600
Moving Milan Forward
Moving Milan Forward requested funds for two bicycle fix-it stations that would supply access to tools for people to fix their bikes at Wilson Park and Nature Park.
$500
Milan Community Funds
Adult Education Scholarship
Aid in Milan Agency
Armitage/Brainard Milan Beautification Endowment
Carol O’Donnell and Judy Heath Memorial
The Joseph R. O’Donnell Community Endowment
Evelyn (Hitchingham) Gerstenberg Memorial Scholarship
David Glenn Memorial Scholarship
David Hoskins Aid in Milan
Donald E. Harkness Endowment
Eric Harrison Memorial Scholarship
Ethan C. Jones Memorial Scholarship
Fayne & Joanne McGovern Milan Youth
Milan Area Historical Society Fund
Milan Area Schools Board of Education Scholarship
Milan Seniors for Healthy Living Endowment
Ethel Richards Memorial Scholarship
Ronnie & Paulette Shores Scholarship
Mildred N. Sheehan Library
Carol Mohr/Margaret Walls/Nina Pemberton Library
Millard & Marie Phillips Library
Library Enrichment
Duane & Isabelle Schultz Milan Area Schools
Alumni Scholarship
Michael A. Tittiger Sustainability & Conservation Scholarship
Milan Area Enrichment Endowed
Miss Washtenaw County Scholarship
Milan Administration Fund
Milan Gala Fund
Milan Special Project Funds
Miss Washtenaw County Scholarship
Milan Administration Fund
Milan Gala Fund