Morley Foundation Fund

Robert “Rob” Spencer Morley was born in 1934. He was a graduate of Saginaw High School and attended Michigan State University. He married Sue Ruppel in 1954.

Rob was extremely active in the communities in which he lived. Rob lived life to the fullest whether he was skiing, raising awareness or spending time with his family at Higgins Lake. He shared his passion for life and his conviction for excellence with everyone he met. Rob wore many hats in life, but none as well as courage when he faced adversity.

He was instrumental in starting the Higgins Lake Foundation and the Roscommon County Community Foundation and was a board member of the Kirtland Community College Foundation and the Higgins Lake Property Owners Association and a member of the Gerrish Township Zoning Board.

Morley Foundation Fund Grant Recipients

2025 – Roscommon County Emergency Management – $2,500.00 for Rescue Task Force Initial Equipment.

2024 – Oasis of Hope House – $1,000.00 for funding to support Oasis’ business operations.
St. Vincent dePaul – Prudenville – $400.00 for Helping Neighbors in Need.
Lake Township – $3,000.00 for Lake Township Rustic Nature Trail.

2023 – St. Vincent dePaul – Prudenville – $2,000.00 for Food, Shelter, and Warmth Program.
Roscommon County Food Pantry – $2,000.00 for Delivering Hope (Help Our People Eat).
Human Trafficking Community Group – $600.00 for Human Trafficking.

2022 – Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center – $5,000.00 for Training for Staff.
Roscommon County Literacy Council – $2,500.00 for Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

2021 – Camp Westminster on Higgins Lake – $2,500.00 for Higgins Lake/Roscommon Day Camp.

2020 – Roscommon-Crawford Foster Closet – $1,500.00 for Furniture.
Westminster Church of Detroit – $500.00 for Virtual Camp Project.
County of Roscommon – $1,250.00 for Tactical Entry Vests.
Crawford Roscommon Child Protection Council – $570.00 for Child Wellbeing Project.
Roscommon County Literacy Council – $180.00 for Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

2019 – Higgins Lake Foundation – $700.00 for Necessary Office Equipment.
Roscommon County Animal Shelter – $662.00 for Speed Queen Dryer.
Good Shepherd UMC of the North – $321.00 for Good Shepherd Baby Pantry.
St. Vincent dePaul – Prudenville – $219.00 for Diaper Bank & Food Pantry.
Gerrish Township Police Department – $1,120.00 for Project “Tracks”.
Higgins Lake Foundation – $780.00 for DASH Boat.

2018 – St. Vincent dePaul – Prudenville – $500.00 for Diaper Bank & Food Pantry.
River House, Inc. – $500.00 for River House Self-Sufficiency Greenhouse Project.
Good Shepherd UMC of the North – $26.00 for Good Shepherd Personal Care Project.
Roscommon Area Recreational Authority – $1,418.00 for AuSable Room Chairs for AuSable River Center.

2017 – Roscommon County Literacy Council – $2,460.00 for Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Good Shepherd UMC of the North – $40.00 to support Baby Pantry.
Good Shepherd UMC of the North – $223.00 to support Personal Care Project.
Friends of Trestle Park – $1,500.00 to support 2018 Summer Concert Series.
County of Roscommon – $77.00 to support Corrections Ballistic/Stab Vests.
Roscommon Historic Model Train Club – $500.00 for Kirtland’s Warbler Festival.
Roscommon County DHHS – $315.00 for Pathways to Potential.
Roscommon Area Historical Society – $1,000.00 to support RAHS summer intern.

2016 – CRAF Center – $2,000.00 to support CRAF Center Building Sign.
Roscommon County Literacy Council – $136.00 to support Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Friends of Trestle Park – $328.00 for 2016 Trestle Park Summer Concerts.
Three Lakes Communities That Care – $744.17 for Guiding Good Choices – Parenting Program.

2015 – Marguerite Gahagan Nature Preserve, Inc. – $500.00 for Visiting Naturalist.
New Connections, Inc. – $577.30 for Garden, Fitness & Photography Groups.
Houghton Lake Public Library – $1,200.00 for 3D Printer Service.

2014 – Richfield Township Public Library – $1,122.90 to support Library Technology Upgrade.
Houghton Lake Area Alano Club – $60.00 to support Building Retrofit for Energy Conservation 2015 – Doors.
Good Shepherd UMC of the North – $100.00 to support Soles from the Heart – Children’s Boots Purchased by Church.
Messiah Lutheran Church – $750.00 to support Community Dinners.
Northern Transformation Corp – $195.26 to support Improving First Impressions for Job Seekers/Newly Employed – 2 Ironing Stations.
First Congregational Church of Roscommon – $500.00 to support Roof replacement.
Roscommon County Animal Shelter – $320.80 to support Educate the Public program.
Roscommon County Habitat For Humanity – $1,000.00 to support ReStore Parking Lot Improvement.
Childrens Bereavement Network – $900.00 for Camp Live, Laugh Love programming.
Roscommon Area Recreational Authority – $350.00 for New Equipment Purchase.
Lyon Township – $1,400.00 for Park 27 Playground Renovation.

2013 – Roscommon County Commission on Aging, Inc. – $509.00 to support Safe Seniors program costs.
Richfield Township Public Library – $1,789.00 to support Library Technology Upgrade.
Good Shepherd UMC of the North – $1,200.00 to support Free Community Dinners.
St. Vincent dePaul – Prudenville – $518.00 to support Food Pantry.
Roscommon Township – $1,000.00 to support American Veterans Traveling Tribute.

2012 – Roscommon County Food Pantry – $1,250.00 to support Food Bank canned goods.
Good Shepherd UMC of the North – $879.00 to support Community Dinners.
R.O.O.C., Inc. – $1,250.00 to support lunchroom accessible space.

2011 – Houghton Lake Community Schools – $571.00 to support CPR/AED training for staff.
St. Vincent dePaul – Prudenville – $2,500.00 to support client services assistance for low-income families.
Childrens Bereavement Network – $500.00 for Roscommon County / to attend Camp Live, Laugh, Love.
Houghton Lake Community Education – $239.25 for DIA/Detroit Tigers Field Trip.
Muscular Dystrophy Association – $530.00 for partial cost of sending a camper from Roscommon County.

2010 – St. Vincent dePaul – Prudenville – $500.00 for Fall Grant for Diaper Bank.
Crawford Roscommon Child Protection Council – $380.00 for Fall Grant for Parenting Resource Program.
Catholic Human Services – $628.00 for Fall Grant for Roscommon Rx – Be the Solution.
Roscommon Co. Sheriff’s Dept. – $254.00 for Fall Grant for Victim Services Advocates training & equipment.
Roscommon County Food Pantry – $1,000.00 for Fill the Freezer program grant.

2009 – Roscommon County Commission on Aging, Inc. – $300.00 for Project Awareness – digital camera.
Roscommon Cooperative Nursery School – $300.00 for Tuition Assistance Fund.
MSU Extension – $500.00 for FNP Senior Project Fresh Spring 2009 Grant.
Artesia Youth Park – $700.00 for Installation of Windows – Spring 2009 Grant.

2008 – Roscommon Co. Sheriff’s Dept. – $933.20 for Special Response Team hand-held radios.
Roscommon County Literacy Council – $300.00 for Books for Babes.
Roscommon County Commission on Aging, Inc. – $463.10 for Refrigerator for Nutrition Program.
Roscommon High School – $400.00 for Quiz Bowl Transportation.
Roscommon Elementary School – $350.00 for Reusable Art Supplies.
River House, Inc. – $200.00 for Toys for Children.
Northern Lakes Community Mental Health – $500.00 for Relative Caregiver Conference.
Childrens Bereavement Network – $500.00 for Camperships for 5 campers or teen buddies.

2007 – Roscommon Co. Dept. of Veterans Affairs – $1,000.00 for “Soldiers and Sailors Fund” to support veterans.
Camp CoBeAc – $500.00 for upgrading the health services by purchasing more medical supplies.
Roscommon County Commission on Aging, Inc. – $500.00 for Safety Equipment to low-income seniors.
Roscommon County Literacy Council – $227.32 for MEAP summer camp for kids in Roscommon Co.
Roscommon Elementary School – $300.00 for Bench for the Playground at the Kindergarten Section of RES.
Markey Township – $500.00 for Truman Gardner Park improvement grant.
Roscommon County Genealogical Society – $299.40 for “Ancestry.com” annual membership/subscription.
Roscommon County Habitat For Humanity – $140.00 for new cash register.
Roscommon County Literacy Council – $650.00 for Office Equipment Purchase.
Roscommon Cooperative Nursery School – $800.00 for Literacy Curriculum.

2006 – Roscommon County Food Pantry – $1,500.00 for Holiday Turkey vouchers for families in need.
Roscommon Area Historical Society – $500.00 for Silsby/Jacobson Building relocation and restoration.
Richfield Township Police Department – $475.00 for TEAM Outreach domestic violence program.
Roscommon County Commission on Aging, Inc. – $745.40 for Safe Seniors safety equipment purchase.
ARK Association to Rescue Kritters – $636.50 for Raptor Housing and Rehab Flight Center.
Students Against Destructive Decisions – $366.33 for Save-A-Life Tour of Roscommon HS program funding.
Markey Township – $250.00 for Summer Gazebo Concerts/Rec. & Entertainment for Community.
Roscommon County Food Pantry – $500.00 for Stock the Shelves Food Bank purchases.

2005 – Roscommon County United Way – $448.20 for purchase of computer & software.
Roscommon High School – $1,300.00 for Softball Field.
Roscommon Area Recreational Authority – $500.00 for Defibrillator Equipment Purchase.

2004 – ARK Association to Rescue Kritters – $500.00 for Liability Insurance program support.
Richfield Township Police Department – $500.00 for Self Esteem and You program support.
Huron Pines Resource & Conservation Development Council – $1,000.00 for Eurasian Water Milfoil Project.
Roscommon Area Historical Society – $500.00 for Handicap Accessible Bathroom building costs.

2003 – Roscommon County Food Pantry – $130.00 for Holiday Food Distribution Project.
Richfield Township Police Department – $870.00 for Equipment Purchase of Cameras for Eyewitness System Project.
Prudenville Elementary School – $1,000.00 for Music Program keyboard purchase.
Richfield Township Police Department – $500.00 for Child ID and Safety Days.
Houghton Lake Public Library – $600.00 for Summer Reading Program – 2003.
Crawford-Roscommon Conservation District – $400.00 for “Catch the Fever” Project.
Roscommon Middle School – $197.97 for Shop Equipment for MITES vocational competition.

2002 – MidMichigan Visiting Nurse Association – $426.41 for Pulse Oximeter Project.
Roscommon Co. Sheriff’s Dept. – $340.00 to purchase K-9 drug dog.
Top Notch Teen Center – $150.00 for Teen Volunteer professional sporting event.

2021 – Camp Westminster Receives Grant

The Roscommon County Community Foundation (RCCF) is thrilled to share that Camp Westminster was awarded a grant of $2,500 to help host a day camp for Roscommon Public School District. Funding for this project was provided by the Morley Foundation Fund.

With this funding the camp was able to hold a summer day camp for students ages 7-15 the week of July 26-30, 2021. Campers did a variety of activities such as games, swimming, kayaking, crafts and more! As a bonus, the students were provided with breakfast and lunch each day. “This was a very successful event as evidenced by the smiles and faithful attendance of the 16 children from Roscommon Area Public Schools who participated.” Said Suzanne G. Bates the Executive Director.

2020 – Roscommon County Literacy Council Receives Grant

The Roscommon County Community Foundation (RCCF) is happy to announce that the Roscommon County Literacy Council recently received a grant of $1,000.00 for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Funding for this project was provided by the Morley Family Foundation Fund, the Roscommon County General Fund, and the Roscommon County Kellogg Youth Fund.

The purpose of this grant is to make it possible for all children under the age of five to receive one book per month upon enrollment into the free program. There are currently 545 children enrolled, with approximately 700 graduates since the program started 10 years ago. The Literacy Council hopes to keep increasing these numbers for both children and adults for years to come.

2020 – Roscommon County Sheriff’s Department Awarded Grant for Tactical Vests

The Roscommon County Community Foundation (RCCF) is pleased to announce that a grant of $1,500.00 was awarded to the Roscommon County Sheriff’s Department to assist with their Tactical Entry Vest project. Funding for this project was provided by the Morley Family Foundation Fund and the Doug Allen Fire & EMS Fund.

The purpose of this grant is to replace the old, worn, and expired existing equipment that is being used by the Emergency Response Team (ERT) members. The deputies who are a part of the ERT are often called to assist in other areas depending on the type of incident or crisis, so it is crucial that the deputies have new updated equipment.

2020 – Higgins Lake Foundation Receives Grant for DASH Boat Project

The Roscommon County Community Foundation is proud to announce that the Higgins Lake Foundation has received a grant of $2,500.00 for their DASH Boat project. Funding for this project was provided by The Morley Foundation Fund, the John Morley Family Endowment for Higgins Lake, and the Robert A. Thalner Fund.

The purpose of this grant is to reduce, control, and remove starry stonewort (SSW) and Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) from Higgins Lake. The DASH Boat successfully and safely removes SSW and EWM without the use of chemicals to keep the lake pristine for all its tourists and residents.

2020 – Roscommon County Animal Shelter Receives Grant for Speed Queen Dryer

The Roscommon County Community Foundation (RCCF) is pleased to announce that the Roscommon County Animal Shelter has received a grant of $922.00 for a Speed Queen Dryer. Funding for the project was provided by the Morley Foundation Fund and the Roscommon County General Fund.

The purpose of this grant is to lighten the workload and save money on electric bills while creating more time to focus on the animals and other areas of work.

“We were literally having to take loads home to dry and we just couldn’t keep up,” said Shelter Director DeeDee Mendyk.

The Roscommon County Animal Shelter hopes that Speed Queen Dryer will cut laundry time in half so that they have more time and funds to make sure that every cat and dog has what they need.

2020 – Multiple Organizations Come Together For Gerrish Township Police Department

Story written by: Gerrish Township P.D.

Lt. Greg Patchin (Gerrish Twp. Police Department) wrote two grants last fall and were awarded funds through the Higgins Lake Foundation Community Grant program and the Roscommon County Community Foundation’s Morley Foundation Fund, Doug Allen Fire & EMS Fund and the Roscommon County General Fund.

The Gerrish Twp. Police Department and Fire/EMS Department, along with community partner organization ACT-NOW provided the additional funding needed for purchasing and installing a “TRACK” system on the Police Department’s existing Polaris Ranger off-road special response vehicle.  The tracks will allow for emergency response and rescues in difficult terrain not only during snowy winters but also on hills, uneven wooded areas and swampy marsh areas.  More traction would provide for greater stability and the vehicle will have more ground clearance to be able to clear deeper snow and standing water/mud.

This vehicle is available for use for the Gerrish Twp. Police Department and Fire/EMS Department for search and rescues, injuries or accidents in areas where ambulances cannot reach such as sledding hills and frozen water, and stand-by services at large community events as a patrol and transport vehicle.

The Ranger has been utilized in many incidents since it was obtained originally through a U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company grant written by Chief Hill in 2007.  Additional equipment was added such as the Freedom Cab and the rear Stokes Carrier and Jump Seat.  Now, most recently with the addition of the Tracks System, this specialized vehicle becomes one of the only of its type in our County.  It will be available for call-outs to our neighboring agencies through mutual aid whenever necessary and will further benefit our community and visitors to our area.

The Gerrish Township Police Department would like to thank all of our donor partners and supporters in this project!

2017 – St. Vincent DePaul Receives Grant from RCCF

The Roscommon County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that St. Vincent DePaul of Roscommon County was awarded a $2,500.00 grant to support their Diaper Bank and Food Pantry. The Roscommon County General Fund ($1,930.00), the Greatest Human Needs Fund ($295.00) and the Marilyn Brown Memorial Fund ($275.00) awarded the funds to support this grant.

According to Store Manager Polly Eckerly, St. Vincent DePaul provided 354 households and 1,087 individuals with food and also helped 63 families with diapers and have given out 4,336 diapers since April 2017. The goal of the project is to continue to provide food and diapers to every family and individual in the county who qualify.

2017 – Roscommon County Literacy Council Receives Grant Funding from RCCF

The Roscommon County Community Foundation recently awarded a $623.00 grant to the Roscommon County Literacy Council to assist with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program. Funding was awarded from the Roscommon County General Fund ($487) and the Morley Foundation Fund ($136).

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program provides one book per month for all children, birth to age five. This grant assisted the Literacy Council in providing books to children in the hopes of encouraging reading at an early age. The program goal is to increase literacy rates in our county.

2016 – Gahagan Nature Preserve receives grant from RCCF

The students from area elementary schools have had the opportunity to see a presentation from Gahagan’s Visiting Naturalist. A grant from the Morley Foundation Fund of RCCF in the amount of $500.00 assisted with travel expenses and materials needed for these school visits.

Jalen Williams, the 2016 Visiting Nanuralist, traveled to classrooms across Roscommon County. His presentation included a puppet show, replicas of animal tracks, stories, and full animal pelts. Funding from the Community Foundation helped not only with travel expenses, but also “allowed us to replace materials and enhance the variety of replica materials in the teaching kit. We are very grateful,” Mr. Williams states.

2016 – CRAF Center receives Grant Funding from RCCF

The Roscommon County Community Foundation (RCCF) recently presented a $2,000.00 grant to the CRAF Center to assist with the purchase of a sign for the front of their building. Grant funding was awarded by the Morley Foundation Fund of RCCF.

Staff at the CRAF Center, including Manager Pat Riss, are working to make the CRAF Center a “focal point in the community.” The addition of this sign helps to identify the building and states who they are and what they do. With the increased awareness, staff would like to add new programs and activities.

2015 – Messiah Lutheran Church receives grant for Community Dinners

The Roscommon County Community Foundation (RCCF) recently provided a $750.00 grant to Messiah Lutheran Church to assist with the purchase of supplies needed to host their monthly community dinners. Grant funding was provided by the Morley Foundation Fund.

Each month, the Messiah Lutheran Church in Roscommon holds three community dinners. These dinners are open to the public, with the hopes of providing those in need a “warm, nutritious meal on a regular basis.”

Community dinners are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 1470 West Maplehurst Drive in Roscommon. The next community dinner is scheduled for August 26th; the menu is meatloaf, potatoes, vegetables and drinks.

2015 – Richfield Township Public Library receives grant from RCCF for Library Technology Upgrade

The Richfield Township Public Library (RTPL) recently received a $1,122.90 grant from the Morley Foundation Fund, an endowed Fund administered by RCCF.

The grant was awarded to assist with the purchase of a new Kyocera printer/copy machine. According to Lynn Taylor, Library Director, the printer/copier arrived just in time to help the library patrons with copying their tax forms this year.

To learn more about all of the funds at the Roscommon County Community Foundation please visit our Fund Directory.