Cook Family Foundation

Shiawassee nonprofits are essential — to the economy, to communities, and to individuals. Nonprofits exist to do things that government and business can’t, won’t, and shouldn’t. They fill the gaps that are left open. They exist for a fundamental purpose other than turning a profit and satisfying shareholders.  There will never be profit in a local Humane Society – but that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t exist. Yet there is an obvious growth in misinformation about nonprofits (also called nongovernmental organizations or NGOs), and there has been a reduction in funding for the important work nonprofits do. More opportunities are needed to bring nonprofits together and create growth. Their presence exists to serve food to those that are hungry, provide artistic entertainment, connect seniors with important resources, help survivors of domestic violence, lead camps for children, and so much more. 

As such, a collaborative of local nonprofit leaders has designated 2026 as “The Year of the Nonprofit” in Shiawassee 

County. Through a number of social media posts, articles, and public gatherings over the next 12 months, this collaborative wants to say what too often goes unsaid. Learn more about this initiative on our Year of the Nonprofit tab on our website.

The points below help clarify the importance of nonprofit organizations.

1. Nonprofits deliver services — not amass wealth.

When nonprofits charge fees or seek grants and donations, they are doing what it takes to meet their missions. Nonprofits don’t have shareholders and don’t build equity for profit-sharing; every dollar is reinvested back into the mission and into communities.

2. Nonprofit leaders are experts.

If you want to know what’s happening in your community, ask a nonprofit leader. These leaders have deep roots in their communities and dedicate their professional careers to their missions. They are on the front lines of housing, healthcare, education, childcare, the arts, conservation, and more. Their insight is invaluable in crafting solutions that work in Shiawassee County.

3. Nonprofits hold communities together.

From food banks to mental health centers, from theaters to conservation groups, nonprofits build the social fabric that makes life rich and meaningful. Their work reaches every community in the state, supporting people across their lifespan. If you live anywhere in Michigan, a nonprofit has touched your life.

4. Nonprofits are partners to the government — not replacements.

Nonprofits often deliver services on behalf of the government because they are trusted by and embedded in the communities, and they can do the work more efficiently and effectively. But, they are not a free substitute for public investment, and private philanthropic support cannot backfill the difference left by cuts to government funding.

5. Nonprofits are accountable and efficient.

Nonprofits are held to high standards of transparency, governance, and ethical practice. Resources are stewarded by volunteer board experts, and each organization’s financial statements are publicly available by law, ensuring that organizations are accountable to everyone.

6. Nonprofits are economic drivers.

Shiawassee County’s nonprofits employ more than 160 people, and that number is raised significantly when the number of volunteers is included. They contribute millions to the county’s economy and support local initiatives of all kinds.  Nonprofit employees are data-scientists, counselors, teachers, advocates, artists, caregivers, biologists, historians, and more— all working to meet real needs in everyone’s towns and villages.

Take a moment today to appreciate what nonprofits do locally . . . and what the community would do without them. Visit nonprofitsgetitdone.org to learn more about the importance of nonprofits nationwide and how you can use your voice to stand with local nonprofits, volunteers, and staff who make communities stronger.

This piece was adapted, with permission, from a Letter to the Editor by Adam Jespersen, Executive Director of the Montana Nonprofit Association, in the Billings Gazette March 12, 2025.

How can we locally come together to address the most basic of needs in our community? The Cook Family Foundation seeks innovative local solutions to hunger needs and fresh produce access in Shiawassee County through collaboration, building the capacity of food providers, and direct assistance to the many nonprofit organizations that seek to address hunger.

In December of 2024, the Cook Family Foundation gave six local nonprofit organizations grants of $1,000 each to help their efforts to address hunger in Shiawassee County in tandem with a County food workgroup committed to food access efforts. 

The recipients of those grants included:

• Durand Area Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry
• Elsie Area Food Pantry 
• Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee 
• Angel’s Hands Community Outreach
• Perry Food Bank 
• Shiawassee Council on Aging

In 2025, the Foundation continued their efforts to work with community organizations, volunteers, churches, and public agencies that strive to reduce poverty and food insecurity – pairing them with a local fresh food source help residents in need. It was truly a win-win-win collaboration:

• Local food pantries were able to obtain fresh food from a local grower. The food was delivered directly to the pantries.
  
• Local food grower was paid for their services, helping subsidize their very valuable contributions.
• Local residents had the opportunity to receive healthy food, along with classes on how to prepare it, to supplement canned/dried food sources available at the pantries. 

The distribution of produce began in early summer with lots of leafy greens. Throughout the summer, pantries received tomatoes, summer squash, greens, beans, eggplant, cabbage, and more. On occasion, deliveries included fresh flowers, bringing a smile to everyone involved. Thus far, approximately 2,000 pounds of produce were made available over five months.  It is projected that the program will continue to provide fresh food until the third week of October.

Owosso Organics owner, Pooh Stevenson, was the grower who participated in this pilot project, offering local organic produce to the pantries.

“Providing food for our local food pantries has been a deeply rewarding experience for all of us at Owosso Organics,” said Stevenson. “We feel we are making a positive impact in our community and the pantry organizers are very grateful for each delivery.”

Local pantries were thrilled to be able to offer locally-grown, fresh produce to their patrons.

“Fresh produce is one thing our clients have always wanted, but we were never able to obtain enough to serve our 100+ families due to its perishable nature and cost,” said Diane Pelky of the St. Mary’s Outreach Food Pantry in Durand.  “Our clients  have been thrilled when we were able to add the beautiful fresh produce to their food choices. Their faces just lit up when we told them we had fresh produce.”

Although very encouraged by this initial collaboration, this effort only begins to address hunger needs in Shiawassee County. With the end to COVID-era food assistance and impending cuts to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, sometimes called food stamps) the Cook Family Foundation continues to be concerned about current and future food insecurity among many area residents.  Rising costs for food in the last two years have exacerbated the ability of lower-income families to afford sufficient food.

“This is not a faceless crisis,” said Rachel Osmer, Associate Director of the Cook Family Foundation. “These are our friends and neighbors. The Foundation is committed to addressing this county-wide need and to help facilitate efforts among our many partners so that our entire community is stronger – together.”

For more information, and to learn about opportunities for local growers to provide food for distribution locally, contact Rachel Osmer at rachel@cookfamilyfoundation.org.