About CFUP
The Community Foundation of the Upper Peninsula provides a vehicle for donors who wish to support projects that benefit the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as a whole rather than a single community or county. The funds of the Community Foundation of the U.P. support projects that deal with concerns such as our environment, scholarships for our youth, and economic development. Our most recent independent audit, as well as our annual report are always available for inspection at our office during the hours of 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (E.S.T.) Monday through Friday. The reports may also be inspected by contacting your local partner community foundation.
The Community Foundation of the U.P. provides financial administrative, communication and other support services to its affiliate members and to other community foundations.
The CFUP is comprised of nine affiliate foundations:
Alger Regional Community Foundation, Munising
Community Foundation for Delta County, Escanaba
Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Foundation, Ironwood
Les Cheneaux Community Foundation, Cedarville
Rudyard Area Community Foundation
St. Ignace Area Community Foundation, St. Ignace
Schoolcraft County Community Foundation, Manistique
Tahquamenon Area Community Foundation, Paradise
West Iron County Area Community Foundation, Iron River
The CFUP has five U.P. wide funds that grant for projects throughout the Upper Peninsula.
Economic Development and Sustainable Communities
Healthy Youth and Senior
Mechanical Industry Fund (MIF)/United Association
U.P. Sustainable Forest and Wildlife
UPPCO/WPS Economic Development, Workforce Development & Education Youth
Role
The Community Foundation will provide financial support to qualified tax-exempt organizations for projects aimed at solving community problems or enhancing life in the Upper Peninsula. The Community Foundation will play a leadership role through service as a catalyst for change; an innovator to solve problems; a partner with other community organizations; and as a resource for solutions to emerging community needs. Support comes from the income of permanently endowed funds contributed by individuals, businesses and organizations. Community foundations do not participate in advocacy or lobbying.
History of CFUP
In 2002 the Council of Michigan Foundations took a leading role in attempting to get U.P. community foundations to work together. All U.P. community foundations were invited to take part in the discussions to shape the Community Foundation of the Upper Peninsula (CFUP). On January 1, 2003 our new collaborative began with eight (8) U.P. community foundations.
"CFUP is about working together to lower our administrative costs, to provide accurate financial information to each affiliate advisory board via our FIMS Hub operation so those boards can make informed decisions regarding their affiliate operation, to honor donor's wishes, to perform what's referred to as "back room operations for all affiliates, to offer training to affiliate boards and staff as required, and to assist affiliates in their fund development when requested."
CFUP has allowed us all to go further together than any of us could on our own.
Some Information About CFUP
The office located in Escanaba, Michigan.
Certified by the Council on Foundations for having met "National Standards."
Received a 2004 "Achieving Excellence" Award and $25,000 from DTE Energy Foundation. To this day the only U.P. non-profit to receive this wonderful award.
Selected as one (1) of only five (5) U.S. community foundations for use as a model for collaboration for other U.S. community foundations by THE ASPEN INSTITUTE and C.S. Mott Foundation.
We do the complete financial work for all 9 affiliates plus eight (8) independent community foundations.
On January 1, 2003, when we started operations, our total assets for the eight (8) original affiliate community foundations' were 3.4 million dollars. Today we have collective assets of approximately 21 million dollars.
On October 1, 2009, the Rudyard AreaCommunity Foundation joined CFUP as our 9th affiliate.
Collectively, we have cut our operational expenses by 46%.
