The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal innovator and entrepreneur Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF invests in promoting thriving children, working families and equitable communities.

Community Action Agency has continued to operate many quality programs and help citizens in all three counties through home weatherization, community development, income tax assistance, emergency aid, parent education, elementary success and outreach among others. Even more importantly, we have continued to advocate for social and economic opportunity for all people so that everyone can enjoy the benefit of a self-sufficient life style.

At the Dekko Foundation, our mission is fostering economic freedom through education. We believe children and young people from birth through age 18 are naturally wired to achieve economic freedom through their own development and by being in learning environments that support their self-sufficiency. When they have opportunities to connect their skills and talents to careers, they further their ability to create goods and services for others. It is through the creation of value for others within our democracy and free-enterprise system that they can earn, build, use, and share their wealth in the manner they choose. In other words, they have achieved economic freedom. Through our grantmaking, we invest in the healthy development of children and young people and in environments that nurture their self-sufficiency. Our grantmaking is concentrated in areas of Indiana, Iowa, Alabama, and Minnesota where our founder, Mr. Chester E. Dekko, had business or personal interests.

The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. With approximately 140,000 members affiliated through over 600 state and local chapters across the nation, we are on the front lines to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families have the support and services they need to be fully engaged in their communities. The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. If you are interested in a career with The Arc, visit our job board: http://www.thearc.org/what-we-do/resources/job-board.

Region 2 Area Agency on Aging helps older adults and adults with disabilities in Hillsdale, Jackson, and Lenawee Counties live as safely and independently as possible. We offer support, information, programming and advocacy to those we serve and their families and caregivers. Located in beautiful Brooklyn, Michigan, we offer a variety of programs and services designed to help you live your best life. Whether you are looking for in-home supportive services, a wellness workshop, or assistance with any aspect of independent living, contact us today to learn more.

The Battle Creek Community Foundation is a public foundation built by generous residents who have donated their time, talent and treasure to make Battle Creek a better place to live. It was founded in 1974 by Leonard White, Robert B. Miller, and Harry Davidson. Their goal was to create a way for people of all means to be able to give back to their community. Over the years, the Community Foundation has received gifts from individuals, corporations and organizations. These gifts are placed in endowment funds, and these funds are then invested to generate earnings. The Community Foundation uses these earnings to distribute grants to a variety of nonprofit programs, organizations and other community-oriented charitable efforts that benefit Battle Creek residents. Funds are also created to provide scholarships to local students. The Community Foundation also provides community leadership by bringing diverse groups of individuals and organizations together to develop community-wide solutions for problems and issues. A volunteer board of local leaders, representing the interests of the Battle Creek community, governs the Community Foundation’s administration and distribution of funds. The generosity of donors, the vision of our Board of Trustees, and the dedication of our many volunteers and professional staff are what enable the Community Foundation to continually respond to the changing needs of our community.

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.

Country Club of Jackson is a company based out of JACKSON, MI, United States.

The Non-Ferrous Founders' Society (NFFS) is the premier North American trade association for the non-ferrous metal casting industry. NFFS is a proven resource for information and resources vital for effective non-ferrous foundry management, helping foundries remain competitive in a volatile business climate. NFFS members are non-ferrous foundries, ingot manufacturers, and industry suppliers who are industry leaders committed to manufacturing superior products and providing exceptional customer service. NFFS member foundries utilize virtually every casting process. The principal metals cast in non-ferrous foundries are aluminum and copper alloys (brass & bronze). However, some non-ferrous foundries may also pour magnesium, zinc, and other non-ferrous materials.

The LaGrange County EDC is the single point of contact for economic development efforts in LaGrange County, IN. We work with regional, state and federal partners to support and encourage our clients’ business development endeavors. Our approach centers on four main areas of concentration: business retention and expansion, business attraction, entrepreneurial development and improving overall quality of life. This process guides us on our mission to better the lives of LaGrange County citizens, both individual and corporate, through the responsible growth and enhanced opportunities that economic development brings. The LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation board and staff will act as advocates for potential new developments in our communities. In addition to the pro-business climate that exists in LaGrange County and in Indiana, we will actively pursue incentives from our various partners to ensure that LaGrange County is where you call "home."

As the President/CEO of the Bryan Area Foundation, I work on behalf of the Board of Trustees and the members of the Bryan Area Foundation to make the greatest impact possible on enhancing and improving the quality of life in Williams County through effective management of our $40M+ assets. This is achieved by serving as a leader, catalyst, and resource for charitable giving. I serve with the purpose of consistently growing endowed assets and investments so we can effectively respond to existing and emerging needs within our community through responsible grant making.