Connect. Invest. Grow.
The organizations of the Local Impact Alliance are working hard for all of the communities of Western Wayne County. Below is just a sampling of the latest news from the nonprofits and groups under the LIA umbrella.
Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle is proud to present the fourth of five inspirational women as we recognize and celebrate Women's History Month. This week we remember the Giving and Hope done by Ms. Rhonda Walker.
Ms. Rhonda Walker
Rhonda Walker was born in 1968, in Detroit, Michigan. She grew up in Lansing and has been a lifelong Michigan resident. Ms. Walker graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Communications to pursue her career in television journalism. She is currently one of the morning news anchors for WDIV- Channel 4 in Detroit. In 2003, Rhonda started the philanthropic organization The Rhonda Walker Foundation. The foundation supports young women and teenagers in pursuit of better education and personal development overall. The Foundation's tag line is "Girls into Women" and it affords grants to a wide variety of programs which support and mentor local girls in need. Ms. Walker serves as President of the foundation and has been an integral part of several Detroit-based philanthropic events, making over 100 appearances since she launched the Foundation. Ms. Walker spoke at a Giving Hope event several years ago and described her foundation and its goal of helping young girls become strong, empowered, and independent women. Her drive and commitment to Giving was inspiring! We the ladies of Giving Hope, Women's' Giving Circle share that ambitious commitment and support Ms. Walker's desire of Giving Hope to girls in need.
Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle is proud to present the third of five inspirational women as we recognize and celebrate Women's History Month. This week we remember the Giving and Hope done by Ms. Margaret Dunning.
Ms. Margaret Isabel Dunning
Margaret Dunning was born in 1910 and spent the majority of her life as a resident of Plymouth, Michigan. She had various careers throughout her long life, all of them in the Plymouth community. Her first act of local philanthropy occurred in 1947 when Ms. Dunning and her mother purchased a property and building to house what would later grow and become the Plymouth District Library and now bears her name as the Dunning Hough Library. Later Ms. Dunning served on the board of Community Federal Credit Union in Plymouth from 1962-1984 and served as President for 19 of those years. During her tenure, the CFCU assets grew from $1 million and 1 office to $40 million and 6 offices. The credit union established the Margaret Dunning Scholarship Fund in 1989 in her honor. And when the Plymouth Historical Society was looking for donors in 1971 and again in 1998, to help them build a new museum building and make additions, Ms. Dunning stepped up not once but twice and donated over $1 million to assist with the multiple projects. Ms. Dunning established the Margaret Dunning Foundation in 1997 as a private grant making foundation. The Margaret Dunning foundation has assisted countless charities since its beginning many of which support our local community and women, children, and families! Ms. Dunning passed away in 2015, just before her 105th birthday. What a wonderful woman, life and legacy to honor.
Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle is proud to present the second of five inspirational women as we recognize and celebrate Women's History Month. This week we remember the Giving and Hope done by Ms. Oseola McCarty.
Ms. Oseola McCarty
Ms. Oseola McCarty was an amazingly inspirational and "Giving" woman! Oseola was born on March 7, 1908 in Mississippi. From her very humble beginnings, she followed in the footsteps of her grandmother and aunt who raised her and became a full-time laundress when she needed to drop out of school in the 6th grade. She worked hard throughout her entire life and took great joy and pride in that work. She once said " Everyone needs to work hard at somthin' to feel good about themselves. Every job can be done well and every day has its satisfactions…If you want to feel proud of yourself, you've got to do things you can be proud of." When Ms. McCarty retired in 1995 at the age of 86, she had saved $280,000.00! She immediately decided to give most of it away! Ms. McCarty set aside enough to live on and then gave $150,000.00 to the University of Southern Mississippi "to fund a scholarship for worthy but needy students seeking the education she never had." She, like those of us in Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle wanted the satisfaction of giving while living and seeing the benefits of that generosity. She also wanted to give locally knowing that there was need right there. Today, the University of Southern Mississippi continues to award several full tuition McCarty Scholarships every year! Ms. McCarty passed at the age of 91 in September of 1999.
We can be grateful for the example and legacy of philanthropy Ms. Oseola McCarty left for all of us to aspire to. From an amazingly simple beginning, working hard to fulfill her dream of Giving Hope to others, Ms. McCarty "knew she didn't have to save the whole world" but what she could do was "something to help somebody. And (she said) what I can do I will do"! May we all share Ms. McCarty's ambitious goals and be grateful that we too can Give Hope through our simple generosity to those in need in our local communities.
Lucile Packard: The Children's Champion
If you are reading this list on a desktop or laptop, there’s a good chance you’re currently benefitting from the work of Lucile Packard and her husband David. Together the couple transformed a small garage business into Hewlett-Packard, one of the world’s most prominent technology companies. The duo was also a philanthropic powerhouse, influenced by Lucile’s passion for children.
When Lucile met David as a Stanford undergraduate, she was already giving back, volunteering at the Stanford Convalescent Home to help treat children with tuberculosis. Even after Hewlett-Packard achieved monumental success, Lucile continued her work with the Home; she and David later donated $40 million to convert it into the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, widely considered one of the best pediatric hospitals in the country. She also served as chair of the board of the Children’s Health Council and gave her name to the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, established a few years after her passing.
Giving Hope - Women’s Giving Circle
Calling All Giving Hope Lassies for a Zooming Good Time
Wear your green and zoom along with your fellow "Green Givers"
Wednesday, March 10th - 7 pm
An event benefitting the endowment fund of Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle
The event will feature a brief history of the GH endowment fund and how it makes it possible for the women of Giving Hope to accomplish our mission of helping local women, children and families in need.
Canton Community Foundation President Beth Mead will explain the recent changes and the decision to partner with others to become the Local Impact Alliance.
Judges will award two of our best dressed "lassies" special Irish libations. All attendees will be entered into a drawing for gift cards to local shops and eateries - all donated by your GH Advisory Board Members.
We HOPE you will join us!
The Canton Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications from 501(c)3 organizations whose primary purpose is providing programing to help local youth and seniors live heathy lives. The application deadline is Sunday, April 18, 2021. Questions? Contact Beth Meade at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 734-495-1200.
Click here to go to the online application.
Attention Students! The 2021 Scholarship Applications for all scholarship funds managed through the Local Impact Alliance are now open. The applications will remain open until March 15, 2021.
Click on the link below to be transferred to our scholarship applications.
CCF/Penelope Hope Klei Scholarship - Applicant must be planning to attend a Christian college.
Canton Clerk Election Inspector Scholarship - Applicant must have worked the 2020 election polls for Canton Township - both midterm and November.
Canton Historical Society Scholarship - Applicant must have maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher and be pursuing a degree in History, Anthropology, Museum Studies, Historical Education or other like field.
Canton Police Benevolence Scholarship - Applicant must have participated in a Police Explorer program at a police department within Wayne County or planning to major in Criminal Justice. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. If applicant participated in an Explorer program, one letter of recommendation must be from an Agency Advisor.
Canton Soccer Club Scholarship - This scholarship is open to any Michigan resident that has played with the Canton Soccer Club for either the past 3 years or a total of 5 years overall. They must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 and a letter of recommendation from a teacher or coach.
Cherry Hill Scholarship - Applicant must be employed by Waltonwood Cherry Hill (for a minimum of the past 4 months).
Community Financial Credit Union Scholarship - Applicants must have had their own personal Community Financial Credit Union account opened for at least 6 months prior to applying for the scholarship and demonstrate the credit union's "people helping people" philosophy. Account needs to have been open on or before September 15, 2020.
Jack Demmer Ford Scholarship - This scholarship is open to all graduating seniors or current college students attending any college or university with any major. The scholarship requires that the applicant has maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Denski Family Scholarship - Applicant must be a senior cheerleader graduating from the Plymouth/Canton Community School District, planning to attend any college or university as a full-time student. Applicants must have a minimum of 40 hours of documented community service. Applicants must also provide a letter of recommendation from their cheerleading coach.
Elizabeth Durack Memorial Scholarship - Applicant must be a "non-traditional" student planning to attend any college or university in Michigan. A non-traditional student is generally someone beginning college later in life or returning to college following an extended absence.
Heather Nicole Hill Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship is open to all graduating seniors enrolled at the Starkweather Academy who are planning to attend Schoolcraft College as a full- or part-time student with any major, and with an appreciation of art. Art samples are required.
Starr D. Kohn, Ph.D. Memorial Scholarship - Applicant must be currently attending University of Michigan, majoring in Civil Engineering. Primary consideration will be given to students focusing on geotechnical, pavement or pavement-related fields of study.
Kenneth W. Kramer, PE Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship is available to students from the greater Plymouth and Ann Arbor areas who are pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering at any Michigan ABET accredited university.
Gene & Jane Overholt Kiwanis Scholarship - This scholarship is available to all graduating seniors within the Plymouth/Canton school district (public, private or charter) who have demonstrated leadership through volunteerism in the community.
Dustin Piepsney Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship is available to all Plymouth-Canton Community School student athletes involved in wrestling, football, or baseball. Applicants may attend any college or university as a full-time student. Applicants must have a letter of recommendation from their coach.
Erin Ryan Kiwanis Clubs of Plymouth Scholarship - This scholarship is available to all graduating seniors from any high school in Plymouth or Canton, Michigan. Applicants must have a passion for their community, be Key Club members, and have demonstrated leadership in Key Club.
Marvin Schulz Memorial Scholarship - Applicant must be graduating from the Plymouth-Canton Community School District and plan to attend either the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor or the University of Michigan - Dearborn.
Keith Patrick Torp Memorial Scholarship - Applicant must be graduating from Plymouth-Canton Community School District and plan to attend either University of Michigan or Washtenaw Community College.
Fred Thomann Memorial Scholarship - Applicant must be a student athlete graduating from the Plymouth-Canton Community School District and planning to majoring in Education at any college or university. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. A letter of recommendation is required from both a coach and a teacher (the two may not be the same person).
Meredith L. Whalen Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship is available to all female students graduating from the Plymouth-Canton Community School District who plan to attend any college or university majoring in Business.
Attention Students! The 2021 Scholarship Applications for all scholarship funds managed through the Local Impact Alliance are now open. The applications will remain open until March 15, 2021.
Click on the link below to be transferred to our scholarship applications.
CCF/Penelope Hope Klei Scholarship - Applicant must be planning to attend a Christian college.
Canton Clerk Election Inspector Scholarship - Applicant must have worked the 2020 election polls for Canton Township - both midterm and November.
Canton Historical Society Scholarship - Applicant must have maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher and be pursuing a degree in History, Anthropology, Museum Studies, Historical Education or other like field.
Canton Police Benevolence Scholarship - Applicant must have participated in a Police Explorer program at a police department within Wayne County or planning to major in Criminal Justice. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. If applicant participated in an Explorer program, one letter of recommendation must be from an Agency Advisor.
Canton Soccer Club Scholarship - This scholarship is open to any Michigan resident that has played with the Canton Soccer Club for either the past 3 years or a total of 5 years overall. They must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 and a letter of recommendation from a teacher or coach.
Cherry Hill Scholarship - Applicant must be employed by Waltonwood Cherry Hill (for a minimum of the past 4 months).
Community Financial Credit Union Scholarship - Applicants must have had their own personal Community Financial Credit Union account opened for at least 6 months prior to applying for the scholarship and demonstrate the credit union's "people helping people" philosophy. Account needs to have been open on or before September 15, 2020.
Jack Demmer Ford Scholarship - This scholarship is open to all graduating seniors or current college students attending any college or university with any major. The scholarship requires that the applicant has maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Denski Family Scholarship - Applicant must be a senior cheerleader graduating from the Plymouth/Canton Community School District, planning to attend any college or university as a full-time student. Applicants must have a minimum of 40 hours of documented community service. Applicants must also provide a letter of recommendation from their cheerleading coach.
Elizabeth Durack Memorial Scholarship - Applicant must be a "non-traditional" student planning to attend any college or university in Michigan. A non-traditional student is generally someone beginning college later in life or returning to college following an extended absence.
Heather Nicole Hill Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship is open to all graduating seniors enrolled at the Starkweather Academy who are planning to attend Schoolcraft College as a full- or part-time student with any major, and with an appreciation of art. Art samples are required.
Starr D. Kohn, Ph.D. Memorial Scholarship - Applicant must be currently attending University of Michigan, majoring in Civil Engineering. Primary consideration will be given to students focusing on geotechnical, pavement or pavement-related fields of study.
Kenneth W. Kramer, PE Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship is available to students from the greater Plymouth and Ann Arbor areas who are pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering at any Michigan ABET accredited university.
Gene & Jane Overholt Kiwanis Scholarship - This scholarship is available to all graduating seniors within the Plymouth/Canton school district (public, private or charter) who have demonstrated leadership through volunteerism in the community.
Dustin Piepsney Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship is available to all Plymouth-Canton Community School student athletes involved in wrestling, football, or baseball. Applicants may attend any college or university as a full-time student. Applicants must have a letter of recommendation from their coach.
Erin Ryan Kiwanis Clubs of Plymouth Scholarship - This scholarship is available to all graduating seniors from any high school in Plymouth or Canton, Michigan. Applicants must have a passion for their community, be Key Club members, and have demonstrated leadership in Key Club.
Marvin Schulz Memorial Scholarship - Applicant must be graduating from the Plymouth-Canton Community School District and plan to attend either the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor or the University of Michigan - Dearborn.
Keith Patrick Torp Memorial Scholarship - Applicant must be graduating from Plymouth-Canton Community School District and plan to attend either University of Michigan or Washtenaw Community College.
Fred Thomann Memorial Scholarship - Applicant must be a student athlete graduating from the Plymouth-Canton Community School District and planning to majoring in Education at any college or university. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. A letter of recommendation is required from both a coach and a teacher (the two may not be the same person).
Meredith L. Whalen Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship is available to all female students graduating from the Plymouth-Canton Community School District who plan to attend any college or university majoring in Business.
