The Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity (formerly the Middle Cities Education Association) is a group of member school districts that serve students with the greatest educational needs. We advocate on their behalf to build an equitable foundation for education so every student has the opportunities they need to succeed in school and beyond.

Philanthropic Family Enterprise

In short, the Allegan County Community Foundation helps to build and strengthen the communities within Allegan County by making it possible for a wide range of donors to participate in creating and growing permanent funds to meet present and future needs of the residents of our communities. The Foundation provides leadership and problem-solving for the present while building permanent funds to prepare for the future.

Generating investment and job creation in our community. Our services are centered around our mission, by assisting new and growing companies or those looking to relocate to find resources they need to build their business. This includes not only site selection, but also redevelopment assistance, workforce research, access to financing and other incentives or resources to help them make the most of their investments in Battle Creek. For over 40 years, Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) has helped people and businesses find ways to create economic opportunity in Southwest Michigan. BCU, a private, nonprofit corporation, serves as the business and economic development arm for the City of Battle Creek. BCU was established in 1972 under contract with the City of Battle Creek to market and manage the conversion of the abandoned, former military property, which is now known as Fort Custer Industrial Park. The grounds were transformed from rolling, wooded tracts of abandoned military property into the now modern, thriving industrial park. This transformation was the nation’s first and most successful base conversion project into Michigan’s largest, cutting-edge, state certified industrial park – 3,000 acre Fort Custer Industrial Park. BCU positioned Battle Creek among the first communities to make a marketing strategy of workforce development and customize training. Thanks to the foresight and diligence of local, state, and national leaders assets were put in place to encourage success. This included: 1976 – Customs Port of Battle Creek Designation 1978 – Foreign-Trade Zone 43 grant of authority 1980 – Public Act 450, positioning the Battle Creek Tax Increment Financing Authority as the first industrial TIFA in Michigan. Through stunning early wins in manufacturing, BCU never abandoned its strategy of determined outreach, a collaborative approach, and proactively developing an asset base for economic growth and social resilience.

At Youth Ministry Institute, we are passionate about equipping and empowering the Church and its leaders to make a difference in the lives of young people. Our organization was founded with the goal of providing high-quality training, resources, and support to those who serve in youth ministry and children's ministry, helping them thrive in their roles and positively impact the next generation.

In a time of deep division between Christians in areas of faith and culture, The Colossian Forum exists as a sign of hope. We take our name and inspiration from the Apostle Paul’s proclamation in Colossians 1:17: All things hold together in Christ. Since 2011, The Colossian Forum reclaims, shares, and practices this liberating truth with Christians who are divided. We equip leaders to transform messy cultural conflicts into opportunities for spiritual growth and witness. Our vision is of a Christian community that acts like Christ, especially in the face of conflict. For more information, please visit www.colossianforum.org.

Mark Griffin is the President and Chief Staff person of the Michigan Petroleum Association/Michigan Association of Convenience Stores or MPA/MACS. As the chief staff person, Mark is responsible for the overall administration of MPA/MACS, as well as, implementing the policies of the Board of Directors. Mark oversees the Association’s lobbying efforts, political fundraising, marketing, publishing and communications, finance and overall operations. After graduation from Michigan State University, Mark accepted a position with Michigan National Bank in their Bankcard Division. Mark joined the Michigan Restaurant Association as Vice President in 1987. In 1993 he joined MPA/MACS as the Associate Director and in February 1995 he was appointed President of MPA/MACS by their Board of Directors.

The Better Business Bureau® of the Upstate is a non-profit organization serving 10 counties of Upstate, South Carolina. We are committed to helping businesses and consumers foster a marketplace of trust. We support our military, assist our seniors, empower our youth, and hold businesses to higher standards. BBB is committed to helping consumers find businesses they can trust. Your continued support helps us have the ability to provide more public outreach and scam awareness, conduct investigations into unethical business behaviors, and continue dispute resolution efforts.

● Participated in weekly staff and pastoral meetings that planned and provided oversight to all congregational ministries ● Actively contributed to all elder board meetings, as well as led prayer and devotional meetings twice a month ● Observed and assisted with pastoral care and counseling, including visitations● Led an adult life group on Sunday mornings and a Wednesday night junior high youth group class ● Served in the pastoral staff rotation for leading prayer, delivering announcements, and administering communion for two services on Sunday mornings ● Engaged in discussions concerning ministry, the Bible, theology, and shepherding, with pastors, elders, and congregation members

NON-PROFIT CHARITABLE FOUNDATION; with a mission to enhance infants' and young childrens' quality of life in the areas of nutrition, care, and development. Contribute to the development of strategy, practice, and policy as member of Executive Committee. Provide strategic investment and financial advice as member of Finance Committee; identifying, managing, and approving the Foundation’s portfolio investments. Review and allocate grants as Trustee.

ISD Education has been in business since 1985, developing software to run K-12 school systems and cafeteria management software for schools, hospitals and corporations We have held the multi-state contract for Point of Sale systems with HPS (Hospital Purchasing System) since 1998.

The Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership is a private, non-profit organization that works with both the public and private sectors in preserving and enhancing the economic health of Kalamazoo’s downtown area and, in turn, the Kalamazoo community. In conjunction with its affiliate organizations, it manages a full range of activities that include capital improvement projects, business development and recruitment programs, image marketing and event planning in order to establish Downtown Kalamazoo as an accessible, diverse, green, progressive and vibrant urban center.