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