PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Nicole Horn, Donor Relations & Communications Officer, Bay Area Community Foundation
(989) 893-4438 | nicoleh@bayfoundation.org
Give Local Bay 2026 Surpasses $219,000 Raised and Celebrates Record Community Participation
Bay City, MI – Since launching in 2015, Give Local Bay has now generated more than $1.77 million in total community impact through donations, matching funds, and incentive prizes.
“This year’s Give Local Bay campaign demonstrated the incredible generosity and compassion that define our community,” said Shawna Walraven, President and CEO of the Bay Area Community Foundation. “The continued growth of this initiative reflects the deep commitment our residents, businesses, sponsors, and nonprofit partners share in strengthening Bay and Arenac Counties. Every donation made through Give Local Bay represents an investment in organizations that are improving lives locally every single day.”
Walraven added, “We are especially encouraged to see increased donor participation, record nonprofit involvement, and the addition of 180 new donors to the campaign. Those numbers show that community philanthropy continues to grow and that more individuals are recognizing the important role nonprofits play throughout Bay and Arenac Counties.”
The campaign’s top fundraising organizations for 2026 included:
- Ye Olde Courthouse/Arenac County Historical Society – $14,145 raised
- Camp Fish Tales – $10,250 raised
- Humane Society of Bay County – $9,050 raised
“Our Ye Olde Courthouse group in Omer has continued to build a dedicated donor group through the years who believe in our mission to preserve and maintain our beautiful historic building,” said Phyllis and Richard Klender of the Ye Olde Courthouse. “We appreciate the Bay Area Community Foundation for hosting Give Local Bay which gives us the opportunity to add to our endowed fund and preservation efforts to our building,” says Brenda Matt with the Ye Olde Courthouse.
“The generosity of our local community, donors, and foundations continues to make a lasting impact at Camp Fish Tales,” said Shannon Forshee, Executive Director of Camp Fish Tales. “We are deeply grateful for every gift, partnership, and act of support that helps create unforgettable experiences for our campers.”
“A thank you seems too simple and I don’t believe the right words exist to express our extreme gratefulness to this outpouring of support from our community,” said Donna Billow, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Bay County. “HSBC is honored by your generosity and overwhelmed with gratitude.”
This year’s $41,350 match pool was made possible through the support from the Bay Area Community Foundation, the Gougeon Family Fund, the Nickless Family Charitable Foundation, and proceeds generated through the first inaugural Give Local Bay Boost Bash presented by Tri-Star Trust.
Additional incentive prizes totaling $3,000 were awarded throughout the campaign thanks to support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Jerome and Annette Crete Family Fund, MCI Insurance, Consumers Energy, HighRoad Wealth Management of Raymond James, Standish Family Dental Center, and the Bay Area Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC).
Youth engagement continued to play a major role in the 2026 campaign through initiatives led by the Bay Area Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). Student groups from local schools partnered with nonprofit organizations to help promote community awareness and participation throughout Give Local Bay.
Student-led video contest and engagement prize awards benefited organizations including New Dimensions, Salvation Army, Bay County Library System, Friends of Bay City State Park, Studio 23/The Arts Center, Bay Area Women’s Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region, Dow Bay Area Family YMCA, and Humane Society of Bay County, with awards ranging from $250 to $4,000.
“Each year, Give Local Bay continued to evolve in ways that deepen community engagement and strengthen support for local nonprofits,” said Nicole Horn, Donor Relations & Communications Officer at the Bay Area Community Foundation. “Seeing record nonprofit participation alongside increased donor involvement demonstrates how strongly our community believes in investing locally. The collective impact created through Give Local Bay extends far beyond a single day of giving.”
Give Local Bay presented by LiUNA Local 1098, is a 24-hour annual giving campaign hosted by the Bay Area Community Foundation that connects donors with nonprofit organizations serving Bay and Arenac Counties. Donations made during the campaign are enhanced through matching funds and incentive prizes, helping participating organizations grow their endowed funds at the Foundation and sustain their mission for generations to come.
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The Bay Area Community Foundation is a philanthropic organization working to improve the quality of life in Bay and Arenac counties. The Foundation’s mission is to build community through generosity, leadership and strategic grantmaking. The Bay Area Community Foundation is in the Pere Marquette Depot at 1000 Adams Street, Suite 200, Bay City, Michigan 48708. For more information, visit www.bayfoundation.org.
I am proud to serve my community through my role at BACF. As a Program Officer, I collaborate with nonprofit, government, church, and school partners in Bay and Arenac counties to navigate our grant opportunities and find the right funding alignment. From project conception to post-award, I am your main contact for all things grants. Connecting organizations and donors who share the same vision and passion is at the heart of my work.
