Field of Interest/Donor Advised Funds
Field of Interest and Donor Advised funds allow donors to support a specific charitable cause, such as the arts, youth, ecology, services for the elderly, or health and human services. Below is a list of the Foundation’s Field of Interest and Donor Advised Funds:



Born in Traverse City, Michigan, Mr. Gilbert graduated from Central Michigan University with a BA degree and from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago with a Master’s degree. He was the director of the Michigan Honors Choir and was voted Outstanding Music Teacher of the Year by the MSVA in 1970. Mr. Gilbert was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific in World War II. He retired from Owosso High School in 1978 and passed away at the age of 63 in 1988. Mr. Gilbert was choir director of the First United Methodist Church in Owosso for 19 years. He was a member of the Owosso Public Schools Teacher Negotiating Team for the Owosso Education Association and helped write the first teacher contract.
This endowment fund was established in November 2013 by Mr. Charles (Chas) Lyons, who was born and raised in Owosso and who graduated from OHS in 1964. He graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Journalism from Michigan State University. His newspaper career began as a reporter for the Argus Press in Owosso and continued with positions from editor to marketing director to publisher and CEO in Michigan, Texas, South Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, Washington, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Chas worked for the Washington Post Company for 19 years, serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Post-Newsweek Media, Inc. division. He was active in community service, including serving as Chairman of Strathmore Hall during its construction of a Music and Arts Education Center in North Bethesda, Maryland that features a renowned 2,500-seat concert hall. He was president of the A Cappella Choir in 1964 and was inducted into the Owosso High School Wall of Honor in 2013, citing Jerry Gilbert as a major influence in his life while growing up in Owosso. Chas currently resides in Oxford, Maryland.
The purpose of this fund is to memorialize the legacy of Gerald Gilbert by awarding grants to organizations for projects and programs that will benefit youth in Owosso.
The purpose of this fund is to benefit patients who suffer from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (“ALS”) by providing services to improve their quality of life.
The fund also benefits animal welfare organizations in Shiawassee County, including but not limited to the Shiawassee County Humane Society, with a preference given to providing safe, humane, and comfortable care and treatment options for cats. The fund may also fund “catch, spay/neuter and release” programs for feral cat colonies.


Dr. Wegman has been practicing dermatology in Owosso since 1984, a practice his wife Debra helped to establish. Patrick Wegman, II was a member of the Youth Advisory Council, a youth philanthropy and service organization overseen by the Foundation. He currently serves as Vice President of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
In addition to offering a scholarship and operating funds for the Foundation, this fund also provides a grant for local organizations. Grants may be awarded to 501(c)(3) non-profits, schools, municipal organizations, health and human service organizations, or governmental entities. Preference is given to programs focusing on healthcare, education, arts and theatre, community improvement, ministry and spiritual enrichment, beautification projects (especially water-related projects), youth programs, senior programs, or other unmet charitable needs.


Agency Fund Descriptions
Designated Agency Funds
designated agency funds administered by the Shiawassee Community Foundation benefit a specific agency only that is determined by the original donor. No application form is required. Grant checks are sent directly to the agency after approval by the Board of Directors. Following is a list of the Foundation’s Designated Agency Funds:



