MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation Holds Donor Event, Announces Foundation Grants
The MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation hosted its annual donor event last week at the Credit Union’s headquarters in East Lansing.
More than 100 people attended the Desk Drawer Foundation Second Annual Donor Event, which featured food, live music, and formal remarks from Desk Drawer Foundation officials, MSUFCU leadership, and the executive directors of Impression 5 Science Museum and Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region. This year’s event was generously sponsored by TruStage.
Founded in 2019, the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation focuses on five philanthropic pillars as it fulfills its mission to partner with donors to empower transformational change to make a sustainable difference in our communities. These pillars are the arts, entrepreneurship, financial education, stable housing, and youth empowerment.
“This was our second annual event to recognize and thank our donors and grantees for making the incredible impact of the Desk Drawer Foundation possible,” said Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Surian. “The evening was a chance to foster connections, celebrate achievements, and highlight the Desk Drawer Foundation’s support for nonprofits in communities where our Credit Union members live and work.”
Since its inception, the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation has given more than $2.8 million in meaningful grants to 50-plus nonprofit organizations throughout Michigan.
Grants announced to-date in 2024, funded by the Foundation’s Community Impact Fund, were awarded to the following organizations:
ArtPath 7, Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center
Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region
Home Repair Services of Kent County
Kiwanis Club of East Lansing
Lighthouse MI
Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, East Lansing
Traverse City Philharmonic
Additionally, MSUFCU employees vote on nonprofits they wish to support through their personal charitable contributions, employee fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities. For 2024, they are:
Children’s Healing Center
Lansing Promise
Michigan Women Forward
Tri-County Office on Aging
United Way of South Central Michigan
“The MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation is a testament to the compassion and generosity of our members and employees,” said April Clobes, MSUFCU President and CEO. “Their contributions, totaling an impressive $200,000 so far this year, demonstrate that our employees are truly committed to the Credit Union’s core value of giving back to the community.”
“Nearly 75% of the 1,200-plus MSUFCU employees have contributed to the Foundation this year,” said Angela Brown, Foundation Board Chair. “Additionally, I am proud to share that 100% of my colleagues on the MSUFCU Board and the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation Board have contributed to the Foundation.”
