Local Impact Alliance

Working With You to Make an Impact…Locally.

Local. What comes to your mind when you hear that word? Your neighborhood? Your town? Your state? Everyone has a different idea. But one thing is certain. There are needs in every community — local needs.

The Local Impact Alliance is here to help work with you to address those needs and to strengthen our communities.

Let’s work together to create meaningful change now and into the future.

Our affiliates - Canton Community Foundation, Community Foundation Of Plymouth, Westland Community Foundation, Eagles for Children and Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle are working with local areas nonprofits, fund holders who have a vision to improve community and community leaders to improve the lives of local residents.

But we can't do anything without the support of our local donors and patrons and volunteers.

It takes a village to run a village!

Christmas in July is just a week away!

We can't thank enough to the generosity of Westland residents in supporting Christmas in July. The funds raised at this fundraiser helps the Westland Community Foundation award scholarships and support projects which helps our local community thrive.

This fundraiser also hosts food drive and a toy drive for Westland Salvation Army so no family is left hungry and no child is left behind during holidays and all year through.

When you purchase a ticket or sponsor an event you are actually making an impact.
Call B Meade at 734-495-1200 to get more details.

Link to Christmas in July tickets and sponsorship :- https://cantonfoundation.formstack.com/forms/2024_westland_christmas_in_july_registration_form

Westland Community Foundation is an affiliate of Local Impact Alliance.

Local Impact Alliance hosts Lunch & Learn session in our local communities of Canton, Plymouth and Westland.

We host these sessions starting from Fall (September) and run it through Spring (May). We take a break in summer for people to enjoy outdoors and family time.

Lunch and learns offer a sociable, collaborative alternative to traditional "top-down" learning. This makes them a great way to foster a culture of learning and knowledge sharing in our community.

It Increases dialogue amongst different members of local community. A lunch and learn is an on-site, voluntary learning program where an expert or a guest lecturer shares information on an important topic.

Keep an eye out for our upcoming season starting in Fall of 2024!

You can find past topics and their video recordings at:
https://localimpactalliance.org/lunch-learn

GRANT APPLICATION IS NOW OPEN FOR EAGLES FOR CHILDREN!

Eagles for Children has given grants to children’s charities totaling over $6.1 million since it's inception in 2012.

The idea of using one great moment on the golf course, “an eagle,” to benefit thousands — or potentially millions of children in need, inspired the formation of Eagles for Children.

In 2023 they granted to 115 non profits a whopping $1.3 million.

Grants will only be awarded to qualifying 501(c)3 public charities serving children.

Get details how your non profit can apply - https://www.eaglesforchildren.org/grants/applying-for-a-grant

Eagles for Children is an affiliate of Local Impact Alliance.

Another evening of love and laughter!

We can't thanks our volunteers enough for bringing pure joy to our senior friends.

Everyone deserves to be loved and recognized, that's what PORCH volunteers do, they are truly Providing Others Renewed Confidence & Hope, which stands for P.O.R.C.H.

If you wish to support this program, please don't hesitate to donate or volunteer. PORCH is offered by Local Impact Alliance and is completely free to Canton residents by volunteers.

https://localimpactalliance.org/porch
https://cantonfoundation.formstack.com/forms/local_impact_alliance_donation?Fund=The%20Last%20Hope%20Fund

Christmas is fast approaching in Westland!

It's July, but we can celebrate the act of giving and feelings of gratitude this time of the year too.

This event is Westland Community Foundation's fundraiser to raise funds with community's generosity to enhance Westland's civic, educational, and cultural communities.

There's plenty of opportunities for sponsorship and for an exciting evening to spend time with friends.

Please bring un unwrapped toy and non perishable food item to benefit Salvation Army.

Please call B Meade at 734-495-1200 to get more details
Westland Community Foundation is an affiliate of Local Impact Alliance

Pleas call or register at https://cantonfoundation.formstack.com/forms/2024_westland_christmas_in_july_registration_form?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3s--hYpMPK7GRxMAEk_irZQR7g2xVHvxunLw1uy6NY5sf-yWZ_I3Cg86Y_aem_kZMhgzI7-j1s6E2kFpBMKg

The most awaited event of Westland - Christmas in July is on 25th July 2024!!

This event is Westland Community Foundation's fundraiser to raise funds with community's generosity to enhance Westland's civic, educational, and cultural communities.

There's plenty of opportunities for sponsorship and for an exciting evening to spend time with friends.

Please bring un unwrapped toy and non perishable food item to benefit Salvation Army.

Please call B Meade at 734-495-1200 to get more details
Westland Community Foundation is an affiliate of Local Impact Alliance.

Pleas call or register at https://cantonfoundation.formstack.com/forms/2024_westland_christmas_in_july_registration_form

Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle, an affiliate of Local Impact Alliance awards Grants!!

The Grants Committee of Giving Hope recently reviewed several grant applications and awarded $12,800 to local charities that support girls, women and families in local communities.

Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle was founded in 2006. At that time, a group of local women philanthropists came together to establish the organization and encourage other women to join in philanthropic giving. Their early efforts were focused on helping in the local community, reaching and assisting women, children, and their families in need.

· Guiding Harbor

· Leo Rising

· New Hope Center for Grief Support

· Plymouth-Canton Community Literacy Council

· Plymouth Community Foster Closet

· Vista Maria Reads

Bravo Giving Hope Ladies

Local Impact Alliance and it's affiliate Community Foundations awards scholarships to deserving students in 2024.

More than 100 students were awarded scholarships in the amount totaling to $150,000!!!

We're proud to support our community's students and their educational endeavors by offering numerous scholarships. Our program includes financial aid opportunities for students of all ages who are at different stages in their educational pursuits, as well as a number of different areas of study.

Our online scholarship application opens in early January and remains open until mid-March. Scholarships recipients are notified in May; and funds are sent directly to schools for the fall semester.

Please watch out for the detailed release of the scholarship lists from each foundation. Follow us on our website and various social media platforms.

https://localimpactalliance.org/
Westland Community Foundation
Community Foundation Of Plymouth
Canton Community Foundation

Thank you to our Scholarship committee and congratulations on another successful year!

A beautiful night to sit outside, paint nails, and play games with the residents.

The PORCH volunteers spent the time listening the stories and sharing laughter.

PORCH is providing others renewed confidence and hope, this community program is completely volunteer run.

Click on the link and learn more about PORCH, if you wish to volunteer, please fill out the application. The commitment is minimal but the satisfaction of serving and making an impact is priceless.
https://localimpactalliance.org/porch

Local Impact Alliance and it's affiliates celebrate and support Pride Moth!

At the heart of any thriving community lies respect. Not just tolerance, but genuinely recognizing and respecting each other’s differences and the inherent worth and dignity in everyone. When respect becomes the foundation of our interactions, regardless of differing views, we can create a hometown where every person can feel valued and heard.

The day has arrived - June 12th 2024 for the perfect Golf Outing!

A beautiful day to golf and make an impact!

We would like to take this opportunity and thanks our sponsors and volunteers, golfers and donors with out which we won't be able to hold this golf outing.

Your support and willingness to help enables us to make the impact in our community.

This is the 32nd year of Demmer Ford Golf outing, completely sold out to raise funds to benefit the Canton Police Benevolent Fund at Canton Community Foundation!

Thank you and please enjoy these pictures while we wait for our golfers to finish the rounds and more will be posted shortly.

Canton Community Foundation is an affiliate of Local Impact Alliance.

In 1996, the Westland Community Foundation was founded to continue to enhance Westland's civic, educational, and cultural communities.

To date, the Westland Community Foundation has distributed over $1,000,000 in funds (includes matching funds) to organizations in Westland.

The members of the Westland Community Foundation Advisory Board are not only leaders in their field, but leaders in their community. This volunteer group of distinguished community members brings a valuable perspective to how we can best serve the Westland community.

Board Members:
Jim Godbout , Board Chair
Sharon Scott, Trustee
Patti Neal, Trustee
Diane Fritz, Trustee
Sandy Godbout, Trustee

The Westland Community Foundation is debuting a new logo to the community.

The Westland Community Foundation celebrated 25 years of giving in 2021. During 2021, a major milestone was achieved: Westland Community Foundation has distributed over $1,000,000 in funds (includes matching funds) to organizations in Westland.

In 2021 a major decision was made by the Board of Westland Community Foundation to join the Local Impact Alliance. As time evolved, so did the need to continue the foundation’s work best representing the area in which is served. The foundation successfully underwent a strategic planning and merging process with Local Impact Alliance.

The Board members realized that the logo needs to represent many facets of the foundation: the generosity of the community served, collaboration among donors and nonprofits with the foundation, growth of the community and hope.

Please learn more about Westland Community Foundation
https://localimpactalliance.org/westland
Westland Community Foundation is an affiliate of Local Impact Alliance.

Foster Care Month, celebrated in May, to show appreciation and gratitude to foster parents across the nation, a time to recognize that we can each play a part in enhancing the lives of children and youth in foster care.

Foster care intends to provide a safe environment for children and youth who temporarily cannot live with their families, a time to recognize that we can each play a part in enhancing the lives of children and youth in foster care.

We would like to highlight one of the funds at Community Foundation of Plymouth, an affiliate of Local Impact Alliance.

https://localimpactalliance.org/funds/plymouth/field-of-interest-funds/plymouth-community-foster-closet-fund

Plymouth Community Foster Closet Fund was founded to support families throughout the foster care process by providing funding for clothing, hygiene items, and more throughout time in care, extending through to reunification, adoption or as a child ages out. PCFCF commits to work with individuals, families, communities, and social service agencies to provide these items in a dignified, inclusive, and respectful manner.

Plymouth Community Foster Closet Fund's vision is to make sure a child in care has immediate and continued free access to clothing and personal care items throughout their time in care.

Local Impact Alliance wishes everyone a peaceful and patriotic Memorial Day where we honor our heroes of the Nation who sacrifice their lives for our freedom.

Less than a month away, hurry up if you haven't signed up to golf or sponsor at our 32nd Annual Jack Demmer Golf Outing!

And once again this year we will partner with the Canton Police to provide funding to the Canton Police Benevolence Fund.

This fund supports not only the families of fallen and injured officers, but it also provides scholarships to local students and provides aid to local families struggling with basic human needs.

Wednesday, June 12th 2024
Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center
Golden Fox
9:00 SHOTGUN START
Please call B Meade at 734-495-1200 to find out about sponsorship opportunities and to play golf.

https://localimpactalliance.org/events/canton/32nd-annual-golf-outing

Canton Community Foundation is an affiliate of Local Impact Alliance.

32nd Annual Jack Demmer Golf Outing Canton Community Foundation will host its annual golf outing on June 12th 2024.   And once again this year we will partner with the Canton Police to provide funding to the Canton Police Benevolence Fund.   This fund supports not only the families of fallen and injured officers, but it also...

Check out all the beautiful creations from Canton Residents!

Thank you to our volunteers for their kind hearts and time spent painting with our senior friends.

The world is a better place when we take time to slow down and get to know our community.

PORCH, a community service program offered by Local Impact Alliance was started to eliminate loneliness and social isolation in our local community.

If you want to learn and volunteer for PORCH, click on the link
https://localimpactalliance.org/porch

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

A mother feeds you, protects you, loves you, helps you connect with others and encourages you to become your best self.

Mothers defend and protect
Mothers provide intelligence and wisdom
Mothers are moral models
Mothers enhance and inspire

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/why-your-mom-may-be-the-mother-of-all-heroes

32nd Annual Jack Demmer Golf Outing

Canton Community Foundation will host its annual golf outing on June 12th 2024.

And once again this year we will partner with the Canton Police to provide funding to the Canton Police Benevolence Fund.

This fund supports not only the families of fallen and injured officers, but it also provides scholarships to local students and provides aid to local families struggling with basic human needs.

Wednesday, June 12th 2024
Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center
Golden Fox
9:00 SHOTGUN START

Please call B Meade at 734-495-1200 to find out about sponsorship opportunities and to play golf.

Click below to register: https://cantonfoundation.formstack.com/forms/2024_golf_outing_sponsorships_and_registrations

Canton Community Foundation is an affiliate of Local Impact Alliance.

May is National Mental Health Month

Mental Health Month raises awareness of trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children, families, and communities.
Mental Health Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans' lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness.

Mental health is essential for a person's overall health. Prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can recover from mental disorders and live full and productive lives.

Local Impact Alliance and it's affiliates works diligently with other non profits to abolish the stigma of Mental Health from our local community.

88.1 The Park Annual Auction is Saturday May 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Local businesses and residents still have time to support the student radio station by donating items. Businesses that donate can benefit from the exposure they will receive on 88.1 The Park. Most importantly, they will be helping a program that has impacted the lives of students and served the Plymouth-Canton community for 52 years.

You can get more information by contacting Station Manager Bill Keith at 734-416-7732.
https://www.881thepark.com/88-1-the-park-auction.../

And please be ready to bid, every half-hour you can bid on great items donated by local businesses including restaurant gift cards, sports memorabilia, golf outings and much more. All of the proceeds will benefit 88.1 the Park and student radio program.

Live Local and Support Local!

You can also support 88.1 by donating to their fund at Canton Community Foundation, an affiliate of Local Impact Alliance OR by donating your old car.
https://www.881thepark.com/support-wsdp/

Fleece and Thank You Event 5-11-24

If you love to make fleece blankets for kids at children, please read below.

In 2023, Giving Hope granted money to the Fleece and Thank You organization to provide blanket kits to be made and then given to children who are in the hospital.

On Saturday, May 11, at 9 am the public is invited to come to the Summit on the Park in Canton to make blankets. No skills or materials are necessary. Material and instructions will be provided. Bring a friend!

Contact Janet Brady [email protected] to RSVP or if you have any questions.

Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle is an affiliate of Local Impact Alliance and has been making a strong impact in our local community by supporting programs which helps women and children.

Read more about Giving Hope and become a member!
https://localimpactalliance.org/giving-hope

Plymouth Canton Literacy Council is a great non profit organization serving in the Plymouth Canton area.

https://www.plymouthcantonliteracy.org/

You Can help change lives With the Plymouth Canton Literacy Council

Did you know that our local community has an amazing group of people who gather at community libraries to work with residents interested in honing their English language skills?

For nearly 40 years, the Plymouth Canton Community Literacy Council has been training patient volunteers with a love of people and sense of humor to work with our ESL residents to help them feel more confident with their reading, writing and conversational skills.

On May 4th, there is a Euchre tournament organized by this charity in Plymouth as a Fundraiser, please support this organization and enjoy the evening meeting new people and learning about the cause where you can also make an impact as a volunteer.

You can also support this organization by donating to their fund at Community Foundation of Plymouth, an affiliate of Local Impact Alliance, link is below
https://localimpactalliance.org/funds/plymouth/designated-funds/plymouth-canton-literacy-council-fund

Another invigorating discussion at Local Impact Alliance's Lunch & Learn held at Canton Township Building.

The topic - Champion the right to read presented by Debbie Mikula, Executive Director of Michigan Library Association.

The event was well attended and audience had a chance to ask questions. The Lunch & Learn series by Local Impact Alliance provides the community a safe platform to learn and engage.

Local Impact Alliance holds Lunch & Learn once a month and holds them at the communities of Plymouth, Canton and Westland. We try to bring topics and speakers from all walks of life.

This is provided absolutely free and we appreciate our speakers also to do this public service without charging us anything.

If you have a topic or speaker in mind , please reach out to Beth Meade at 734-495-1200.

Here are the pictures from today's event. If you attended this event in person, the presentation and recording will be sent to you at the email you provided.

Learn more about Lunch & Learn by clicking the link below.
https://localimpactalliance.org/lunch-learn

Thinking globally, acting locally this Earth Day

At our Foundation we have always appreciated our local community's respect for nature, outdoor recreation, and wanting to have clean water and clean air and healthy eco systems for all lives of nature to thrive.

In honor of Earth Day today, we would like to highlight our efforts in local area to support our dedication to make our home - Earth a better place for all of us at present and for our future generations.

We have different funds which support our local parks and environment:-
Canton Trail Fund
Canton Trail Fund is designed to provide grants to Canton Township for the building and maintaining of public bike and walking trails within the township of Canton. The intention of the fund is to be a supplement to existing and proposed future trail improvement, maintenance, expansion and capital construction activities of the Charter Township of Canton.

Creating Habitats for Pollinators Fund
The charitable purpose of this fund is to increase the amount of dedicated habitat for pollinating insects by planting native wildflowers in public and private spaces. We hope to engage communities, organizations, and individuals that might not otherwise support native landscaping.

Our Lunch & Learn series has hosted several speakers to talk about environmental issues:-
Healthy Yard Maintenance
Annette DeMaria, Executive Director of the Alliance of Rouge Communities, provided advice and tips on creating a beautiful yard while protecting the Rouge River Watershed. Suggestions for fertilizer/pesticide use, mowing strategies, animal waste, and household chemical use were all discussed.

Create Your Own Pollinator Garden
David Hammond, Founder & Executive Director of Creating Habitats gave a very informative talk on Creating your own Pollinators Garden. Although pollinators are a critical part of our food system and the cornerstone of many ecosystems, they are in trouble. For the last two decades, pollinators have been under serious threat from habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use.
One of the very best, and easiest, things you can do to help pollinators is to plant a wildflower garden at your own home. These wildflower gardens not only provide new habitats for pollinators to thrive, they brighten up your yard, and reduce yard maintenance costs.

Eco-Burial
Gives Michigan Residents Lower Cost, Environmentally Friendly Option. The way we live impacts the world. So does the way we die. It isn't death that creates ecological problems, but rather the processes for dealing with our deceased. Peter and Annica Quakenbush talked about different options offered to Michiganders.

Please learn more about our organization and our efforts to make our local community a better place.
https://localimpactalliance.org/

Only a month left to golf and support your local community!

2nd Annual Golf outing organized jointly by Westland Community Foundation and Livonia - Westland Chamber of Commerce.

Call Beth at the Westland Foundation office at 734-495-1200 or Laura at the Chamber office at 734-427-2122 with any questions.

Date and Time
Thursday May 16, 2024
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM EDT
8:00 AM Registration
9:00 AM Shotgun Start

Location
Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center
8768 N. Territorial Road
Plymouth, MI 48170

Fees/Admission
$600 Foursome
Numerous Sponsorship Opportunities Available.
https://chambermaster.blob.core.windows.net/userfiles/UserFiles/chambers/2969/File/WestlandGolfOutingSponsorship-GolferInformation.pdf?fbclid=IwAR12mFqpMpCVdBiagyXtunHgtJASmK6TSgYADh-kvbOyvzRTyh1TibVbi30_aem_AaFCDsg1-z3hhfyvU6YFLyJHgKbmYlsk62EsB2o1P1mGXCkTKtIwHuUpsMGynAfB5K-h-odD-pA_c9KkOyvioQdP

Westland Community Foundation is an affiliate of Local Impact Alliance

Local Impact Alliance and its affiliate wishes Eid Mubarak to all who celebrate this festival.

The three-day festival celebrates the completion of the fasting month of Ramadan by Muslims across the world.
The first day of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon marking the start of the month of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.

A great presentation by Plymouth Canton Literacy Council at the Plymouth District Library for the Lunch & Learn hosted by Local Impact Alliance.

Andrea Hug and Joyce Silagy of PCLC presented great facts, kept the audience engaged and answered the question. The tutors of this organization are truly making an impact in our community.

Learn more about Plymouth Canton Literacy Council - https://www.plymouthcantonliteracy.org/