Community Foundation for Oceana County
The Community Foundation for Oceana County is a public charity based in Pentwater, Michigan. It makes grants and awards scholarships to enhance the lives of people in Oceana County by connecting philanthropic resources with community needs.
Community Foundation for Oceana County at a glance
In short: Community Foundation for Oceana County gave $2.4M across 22 grants in 2025 (avg $110K), mostly in Michigan. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,429,268
- -31.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 22
- -26.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $110,421
- -7.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $13,787
- Total assets
- $24,039,909
- +22.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (6 of 22, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Community Foundation for Oceana County
- How to Apply
-
Submit a community grant application through the foundation’s online portal. Review the grant guidelines and priorities before applying. Staff may work with grantees to set monitoring periods and success indicators; a final evaluation report is required at the project’s conclusion.
- Contact
Mailing address: 388 S Hancock St, Pentwater, MI 49449
Phone: (231) 869-3377
Website: https://oceanafoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Community Foundation for Oceana County
Campership Grants
Community Foundation for Oceana County
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Complete Your Degree & Adult Student Scholarships
Community Foundation for Oceana County
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
General Competitive Grants
Community Foundation for Oceana County
Amount
Up to $3,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Community Foundation for Oceana County funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Shelby Township ($1.9M). Together the top 10 received $2.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
100 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 82 grants of 100 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its community grantmaking as serving the greater Oceana County area. Its 2025 itemized grants went entirely to Michigan recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Community Foundation for Oceana County open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 22 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. With only 22 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $148K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $18K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $293K (2022) to $3.6M (2024). In 2025 it made 22 grants totaling $2.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shelby Township Shelby, MI | Construction costs for tiger athletic complex, gun range project, and community park. | $1,856,725 |
| Trinity Lutheran Church New Era, MI | Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund | $115,000 |
| Shelby Public Schools Shelby, MI | Out of school time program grant admin fee and ride with pride program | $110,940 |
| Oceana County Historical and Genealogical Society Hart, MI | Visitors Center Renovations | $80,820 |
| The Ladder Community Center Shelby, MI | General Operations | $60,000 |
| Oceana County Sheriff Department Hart, MI | Silver Lake Rescue Boat | $22,000 |
| Oceana County Medical Care Facility Hart, MI | 2025 Agency Distribution | $21,261 |
| Pentwater Historical Society Pentwater, MI | Museum Building Expansion Project | $19,940 |
| Trinity Health Office of Philanthropy Muskegon & the Lakeshore Norton Shores, MI | 2025 Agency Distribution | $16,607 |
| Benzie County Central Schools Benzonia, MI | Mrs. Mullen's Closet Support | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation for Oceana County?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
IRS filing figures:
Separately, the foundation’s website reports that it paid $3,843,615 in grants and scholarships across 656 grants in 2025.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $24,039,909 | $6,204,400 | $3,463,450 | $2,429,268 | 22 | $1,467,745 |
| 2024 | $19,692,921 | $4,239,911 | $4,409,861 | $3,562,051 | 30 | $801,470 |
| 2023 | $18,794,594 | $3,139,460 | $2,834,383 | $2,017,864 | 25 | $564,745 |
| 2022 | $16,693,236 | $3,019,734 | $1,180,347 | $292,688 | 12 | $522,984 |
| 2021 | $18,227,379 | $1,776,134 | $1,118,339 | $358,220 | 11 | $484,276 |
| 2020 | $15,993,157 | $14,945,350 | $1,033,536 | $455,078 | 23 | $295,148 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is “to enhance the lives of the people of Oceana County by leading, promoting and channeling philanthropy to connect resources with needs.” Its stated vision is a community where everyone has access to resources to thrive.
The foundation says it awards grants and scholarships in areas including education, arts, community development, the environment, health and human services, and emerging community needs. It provides grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, churches, schools, public agencies, and local government units serving the greater Oceana County area.
Examples of supported organizations reflect a range of community activities. The Oceana County Historical and Genealogical Society says its mission is to collect, preserve, and share Oceana County history; the Ladder Community Center describes itself as a place for youth and older adults to connect and find opportunities for growth and support; and Pentwater Historical Society says it connects people to Pentwater history by collecting, preserving, and sharing information and artifacts. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 22 itemized grants totaling $2,429,268. Grant amounts ranged from $5,308 to $1,856,725, with a median of $13,786. All itemized grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan.
The largest reported 2025 awards included $1,856,725 to Shelby Township for construction costs for the Tiger Athletic Complex, gun range project, and community park; $115,000 to Trinity Lutheran Church for its building fund; and $110,940 to Shelby Public Schools for an out-of-school-time program grant administration fee and the Ride with Pride program. Other notable grants were $80,820 to the Oceana County Historical and Genealogical Society for visitors center renovations, $60,000 to the Ladder Community Center for general operations, and $22,000 to the Oceana County Sheriff Department for a Silver Lake rescue boat.
The foundation’s website reports that it provides community grants through an online application process. Staff and a Grant Review Committee review applications, with final decisions made by the Board of Trustees. The foundation says it uses a trust-based philanthropy approach and requires a final report when a grant project is completed; interim progress reports may also be requested. Its grant guidelines describe support for projects serving Oceana County and say that, under those guidelines, grants are generally one-year commitments of up to $5,000, with longer commitments considered for initiatives showing exceptional promise for community impact.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joe Klimovitz as chair, Beth Snider as vice chair, and Frank Arvai as treasurer. It lists Kristen Callen, Kellie Fox, Rita Grant, Emma Kirwin, Lois Lydens, Dr. Scott Karaptian, and Steve Paulus as members. The scholarship program information identifies Tammy Carey as the foundation’s CEO.
Community Foundation for Oceana County is led by Tammy Carey, CEO on every filing since 2021; 1 of 17 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Tammy Carey
CEO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$64K (2021) → $119K (2025)
Joe Klimovitz
Chair
Member → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emma Kirwin
Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eva Berumen-Reyna
Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon Vanderploeg
Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Stivers
Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kellie Fox
Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Karaptian
Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Beth Snider
Vice Chair
Member → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank Arvai
Treasurer
Member → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristen Kris Callen
Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lois Lydens
Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lucy Ordoobadi
Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rita Grant
Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Paulus
Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Labarge
Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rob Barefoot
Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Randy Wagner (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Sarah Schlukebir (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Jean Russell (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Joan Lundborg (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: John Grant (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Gary McKeen (2020–2021) — Member-
- Former: Gerrit Herrygers (2020–2021) — Member-
- Former: Rhonda Greiner (2020–2021) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $119K, to Tammy Carey (CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation for Oceana County
How much does Community Foundation for Oceana County give each year?
Community Foundation for Oceana County gave $2.4M across 22 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.6M across 30 grants.
What is Community Foundation for Oceana County's typical grant size?
Community Foundation for Oceana County's median grant in 2025 was $13,787, and its average grant was $110,421, across 22 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation for Oceana County that year got $9K on average.
Where does Community Foundation for Oceana County give grants?
Community Foundation for Oceana County gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Hart, MI (4 grants), Shelby, MI (3 grants), Pentwater, MI (3 grants) and New Era, MI (2 grants).
Does Community Foundation for Oceana County give general operating support?
Occasionally: 9% of Community Foundation for Oceana County's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 22) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "2025 Agency Distribution" (4 grants) and "2025 Music in Schools Program" (3 grants).
Who are Community Foundation for Oceana County's largest grantees?
Community Foundation for Oceana County's largest 2025 grantees include Shelby Township ($1,856,725), Trinity Lutheran Church ($115,000) and Shelby Public Schools ($110,940), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 86% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation for Oceana County?
Community Foundation for Oceana County reported $24.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.2M.
What does Community Foundation for Oceana County fund?
The foundation’s mission is “to enhance the lives of the people of Oceana County by leading, promoting and channeling philanthropy to connect resources with needs.” Its stated vision is a community where everyone has access to resources to thrive. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation for Oceana County?
Submit a community grant application through the foundation’s online portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Community Foundation for Oceana County's EIN?
Community Foundation for Oceana County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-1970895. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 10, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 20, 2023)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Community Foundation for Oceana County funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Foundation for Oceana County's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Community Foundation for Oceana County funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-for-oceana-county-morg_8491ab6d0e8d454787d42111fd355871
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_831970895_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Community Foundation for Oceana County funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-for-oceana-county-morg_8491ab6d0e8d454787d42111fd355871},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Community Foundation for Oceana County's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Community Foundation for Oceana County down — hundreds of funders to go?