Community Foundation celebrates its successes

LUDINGTON — The Community Foundation for Mason County hosted its 2025 Annual Gathering on June 18. The event brought together donors, nonprofit leaders, and community members. Held at The Lake House, the evening provided guests with an opportunity to celebrate the Campaign for Mason County’s progress and hear a report from the Mason Youth Advisory Council.

Board Chair Carol Nelson welcomed attendees and introduced Executive Director Andrea Large, who delivered an update on the Campaign for Mason County: Building a Stronger Community Together. The $5 million endowment campaign has met the deferred gifts goal of $2 million. Out of the $3 million cash gift goal, $407,692 remains.

“We are so grateful for all of our campaign donors and especially grateful to Lee and Joan Schoenherr for their transformational $1 million pledge that helped build incredible momentum,” Large said.

Large encouraged community members to continue to work towards meeting the cash goal, as this part of the campaign will have the most immediate impact.

Lee and Joan Schoenherr

A video featuring “Jessica’s Story” showcased how Foundation grants are directly changing lives through programs like Home Team Housing’s Critical Home Repairs. Large shared examples of other recent projects supported by the Foundation, including a county-wide robotics facility, after-school tutoring, a housing initiatives fund, and trail improvements. She noted that these projects and others supported by the Foundation span strategic focus areas identified by the community: educational attainment, workforce development, and recreation and quality of life.

The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) followed Large with a presentation about Mason County’s youth. YAC representatives Maggie Autrey, Walt Autrey, Ava Carlson, Katie Gronstal, Hestyn Stowe, Carley Sova, and Madison Bearup shared insights from YAC’s Fall 2024 Youth Needs Assessment. The group shared data collected from 679 Mason County high school respondents, which identified the top five topics of greatest concern among area youth: academic stress, substance use, mental health, home life, and bullying and cyberbullying. The report also highlighted top youth requests: regular counseling, safe spaces to go, a community center, and solutions to loneliness. The YAC’s response to the 2024 needs assessment is to focus on mentorship.

“We feel that mentorship addresses each of the top five topics of greatest concern,” explained Maggie Autrey. She noted that YAC uses the results of its needs assessment, conducted every three years, to guide the council’s grantmaking. Autrey encouraged organizations that have youth-related projects addressing the top five needs and/or involving mentorship to apply for a YAC grant.

The annual gathering also served as an opportunity to recognize Becky Bruett, who is retiring from her service as KickStart to Career Coordinator. Large welcomed Madisyn Meeker as the new KickStart to Career Coordinator.

Large concluded the evening with heartfelt gratitude. “Our work is only possible because of you. Our donors. Our grant partners. Our nonprofits. Our municipal and education leaders. Our entire community.”

She called on the community to continue their collective support. “While we have much to celebrate, there is more to do. And together, we will continue building a stronger Mason County with opportunities for all.”

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