Fall Donors Luncheon Presents Community Survey Findings

Donors spent time at the luncheon discussing their own reactions to the community needs survey results.

Fall Donors Luncheon Presents Community Survey Findings

Fremont Area Community Foundation (FACF) donors gathered on October 27 for the Fall Donors Luncheon at the Stone Lodge in Fremont.

​The luncheon focused on the findings from the Community Foundation’s recent community survey and community conversations. More than 600 individuals in Newaygo County filled out the survey and...

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...community members attended conversations in September to discuss results and share their thoughts.

​Carla Roberts, FACF president and CEO, walked donors through the main findings from the process, including how Newaygo County and its residents are doing, what people think about living here, and our community’s strengths and challenges.

Roberts began by briefly sharing the strategic framework that has guided the Community Foundation for the past five years: 2011-2016.

“As we approach the new year it is time to project this forward,” said Roberts. “Before building a new strategic plan, we wanted to know what the public sees as the leading opportunities and challenges in Newaygo County and where philanthropy might have a role.”

One of the report’s findings was that approximately $664 million is expected to be transferred from one generation to the next in Newaygo County over the next 10 years, an amount that surprised some attendees. Others were surprised to learn that about 42 percent of households in the county earn less than $35,000.

The best and most challenging things about living in the area—according to survey respondents—were also shared. Among the best things about living here were the people and community character, a rural small-town feel, and the weather and environment.

During time for discussion and reactions to the report data, luncheon attendees shared their own thoughts on what excited them most about living in Newaygo County. Safety, natural resources, senior housing, the Promise Zone, and a spirit of collaboration were all among the local assets they highlighted.

“I really appreciated the thoroughness of the research,” said donor Bob Pinder after the luncheon. “I was surprised to learn some of the most important concerns for people as well as what we’re doing really well here.”

The community needs report discussed at the luncheon is available on the Community Foundation’s website at facommunityfoundation.org/communityreports. Surveys and community conversations were also conducted on behalf of the geographic affiliate foundations in Lake, Mecosta, and Osceola counties.

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