Committment to Gratiot County

The Gratiot County Community Foundation, incorporated in 1992, is a vehicle for receiving charitable gifts that will remain forever in Gratiot County.

As a non-profit corporation, we are classified as a public charity under the Internal Revenue Code, making donors eligible for federal tax deductions.

Gifts to the Foundation may be in cash, real estate, securities, life insurance policies, and/or personal property and may be made during one's lifetime or through will and trusts.

Please navigate this website or call us at (989) 875-4222 to learn more.

Foundation Staff

chelsea holmes matz headshot

Chelsea Holmes Matz

Chelsea Holmes Matz joined the Gratiot County Community Foundation as Executive Director in 2021.  She is looking forward to continuing to build the Foundation's reputation of quality governance and community engagement.

Email: cholmes@gratiotfoundation.org

Patti Paradise

Patti Paradise

Patti Paradise joined the Gratiot County Community Foundation as the Administrative Assistant in 2005 and is now the Financial Clerk.

Email: pparadise@gratiotfoundation.org

ashtyn

Ashtyn Bush

Ashtyn Bush joined the Gratiot County Community Foundation in 2019 as the Administrative Assistant, and in 2020 began working as the Program Officer. In 2023, Ashtyn was promoted to Senior Program Officer.

Email: amaniez@gratiotfoundation.org

Board of Directors

Officers

President
Tim Lambrecht, Budget Challenge Director of Education

Vice President
Ali Barnes, Yeo & Yeo

Treasurer
Jim Wheeler, Greater Gratiot Development, Inc.

Secretary
Laura M. Bever, Prosecuting Attorney, Gratiot County

Executive Director

Chelsea Holmes Matz

Senior Program Officer

Ashtyn Bush

Financial Clerk

Patti Paradise

Directors

Traci Gavenda
Ashley Community Schools

Nora Colthorp
Isabella Bank

Paula Moeggenborg
Gratiot County Commission On Aging

John Pobanz
DLP Financial Partners

Chief Rich Ramereiz
St. Louis Police Department

Marisa Bramer
Commercial Bank

Els De Saegher
De Saegher Dairy

 

Renee Sopel
Retired-Ithaca Public Schools

Dr. Mike Stack
Family Medical Care-Ithaca

Erin Steward
Michigan Health & Hospital Association

Carolyn Studley
Retired- Alma Public Schools

Joy O'Neill
Mercantile Bank

Dr. Benjamin Peterson
Alma College

Jennifer Stambaugh
Child Advocacy

Strategic Planning

The Gratiot County Community Foundation is excited about the growth within our organization since its establishment in 1992.  Our board and staff are committed to maintaining the support we provide in the community and we believe the strategic planning process will allow us to make the changes necessary to do so.