Focus on Fish Gallery Guide | Page 14

T heBe s s e rMus e um Community Foundation partners with museum to support 50th Anniversar y Capital Campaign Building on a long-standing relationship with the Besser Museum, the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan has agreed to serve as the financial administrator for the museum’s 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign. “The Community Foundation has long recognized the Besser Museum as key to the region’s cultural vitality and one of the primary keepers of our history,” said Barbara Frantz, CFNEM executive director. Dating back to 1979 when CFNEM first began awarding grants, the foundation has awarded 142 grants totaling nearly $300,000 to the Besser Museum. Grant decisions have been made by community volunteers who serve on the CFNEM board and grant review committee. “As careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) have grown in importance, we also realize the huge potential the Besser Museum has for s n o i t a l ongratu C Besser Museum www.omegaelectricandsign.com OMEGA ELECTRIC & SIGN COMPANY INC. Serving All of Michigan Licensed Electrical Contractors Licensed Sign Specialists 989-358-8243 Alpena, MI signs-banners-graphics-decals 14 - Besser Museum 50th Anniversary ~ Wednesday, January 27, 2016 sparking the imaginations of children and adults of all ages to become tomorrow’s inventors and entrepreneurs,” said Frantz. “We hope the community, both businesses and the public, will get fully behind the museum’s 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign and ensure its legacy exceeds all expectations.” As financial administrator of the museum’s campaign, the foundation will process and track all financial contributions, acknowledge and provide documentation to donors as required for IRS tax exemptions, and generate regular financial reports for the Besser Museum’s board and staff. “One of the key roles a community foundation plays is to ensure donors that their charitable contributions are used for their intended purpose and are invested wisely,” explained Frantz. “By having the Community Foundation take on this responsibility for the Besser Museum’s 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign, donors can be reassured that every penny will be managed to the letter of the law and according to best practices. It also enables the museum board and staff to focus more on out- 211 N. First Ave. • Alpena • 356-6188 Congratulations to the Besser Museum on 50 years of providing arts, culture, and historical experiences to Northeast Michigan. By Barbara Franz Community Foundation Executive Director reach and strategic planning to ensure the success of the capital campaign. The Community Foundation is nationally accredited by the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations and has an excellent track record that consistently ranks as one of the best financially managed community foundations in the country. The most recent Council of Michigan Foundations study (2015), reported that CFNEM had the third best first-year rate of return and the fourth best five-year rate of return among the 45 Michigan community foundations that participated in the study. Those who are interested in learning more about the CFNEM can go online and visit www.cfnem.org/funds/fund-directory.html. Those interested in making a donation to the Besser Museum’s 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign can visit www.bessermuseum.org.