Chris Holman welcomes back Cindy Hales, Ed. D. Vice President of Community Investment, of Capital Region Community Foundation, Lansing, MI.

Watch Cindy and Chris discuss the successful recent 35-hour endowment campaign in the YouTube video shared below:

In this conversation, Chris looked to find out several things from Cindy:

The Capital Region Community Foundation has been busy, I understand you’re proud to announce the final results of your inaugural 35-hour endowment campaign, which took place on May 3-4, 2023. Tell us about that?

17 local nonprofits and over $213,000 through the support of over 500 donors. Did the business community step up as part of this and show their philanthropic support?

Where will these funds now go?

As an inaugural program will this now take place yearly?

What has this experience shown you about Mid-Michigan that you might not have known before? 

CRCF also shared a release recently following the campaign days.

LANSING, MICH. – The Capital Region Community Foundation is proud to announce the final results of its inaugural 35-hour endowment campaign, which took place on May 3-4, 2023. A total of 17 local nonprofits participated in 35 Hours of Giving, which raised a total of $213,045 from more than 508 donors across the country.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous support of our community,” said Cindy Hales, vice president of community investment at the Community Foundation. “The impact of these gifts go well beyond the campaign for the 17 participating organizations”. 

The funds raised will go directly to the endowments of each participating nonprofit, which represent a range of services from education and healthcare to nature centers and the arts. Donors were able to choose which organization(s) their donation would support. The successful outcome of the campaign was made possible in large part by the participation of 508 donors from across the country, who gave 558 gifts collectively. 

Among the participating nonprofits, the Impression 5 Science Center emerged as the top fundraiser, receiving $61,735 in donations. Eaton Community Health also raised an impressive $58,690 in donations, followed by the Lansing Concert Band at $21,621. 

“We are incredibly grateful to have been a part of this campaign,” said Barbara Fulton, executive director of Eaton Community Health (ECH). “ECH believes in the power of possibility, we believe in our mission, and we believe in community. We are in awe at the support we received from our community these past 35 hours. We could not have done this alone, and the generosity extended to us will be carried forward to our community through our mission work.” 

A special thank you goes to the campaign’s three $35,000 matching fund sponsors – the Eileen and Jerry Fhaner Charitable Fund, Jackson, and MSUFCU – whose support helped inspire even greater giving. 

“Giving back to the community is one of MSUFCU’s core values and founding principles,” said Susi Elkins, MSUFCU Chief Community Impact Officer. “We are proud to partner with the Capital Region Community Foundation, where our collective support can positively impact nonprofits in our community, helping make our region vibrant and strong.” 

The Community Foundation plans to make 35 Hours of Giving a biannual event and hopes to continue its momentum in future years. 

“We cannot thank our donors, sponsors, and nonprofits enough for their partnership and hard work during 35 Hours of Giving,” said Hales. “Together, we are building a strong and vibrant Capital Region.” 

For more information about Capital Region Community Foundation and its nonprofit partners, please visit www.ourcommunity.org.

The Community Foundation is passionate about creating vibrant, thriving communities throughout Michigan’s capital region. The Foundation serves donors to meet their unique charitable goals, supports area nonprofits with grants and coaching, and leads innovative projects that drive community growth. The Community Foundation (also known as the Capital Region Community Foundation) is a tax-exempt public charity whose mission is to lead philanthropic solutions that build vibrant communities in Ingham, Clinton and Eaton counties.

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