National Cherry Festival Foundation

National Cherry Festival Foundation. The National Cherry Festival Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Traverse City, Michigan, and is closely associated with the National Cherry Festival, which attracts visitors from Chicago, Illinois, Detroit, Michigan, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The foundation works in partnership with organizations such as the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Traverse City Association, and Traverse City Tourism to promote the festival and support local businesses like Cherry Republic and The Filling Station Microbrewery. The foundation's efforts are also supported by local government entities, including the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners and the City of Traverse City Commission.

● History

The National Cherry Festival Foundation was established in 1987 by the Cherry Festival Committee, a group of local volunteers and business leaders, including Terry Walker and Mary Manner, who were instrumental in organizing the first National Cherry Festival in 1931, which was attended by Michigan Governor Wilber M. Brucker and United States Senator Arthur Vandenberg. The foundation's history is closely tied to the development of the National Cherry Festival, which has grown to become one of the largest and most popular festivals in Michigan, attracting visitors from Lansing, Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. The foundation has worked with various organizations, including the Traverse City Area Public Schools, Northwestern Michigan College, and Michigan State University Extension, to promote the festival and support local agriculture and tourism initiatives, such as the Michigan Cherry Committee and the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau. The foundation has also partnered with local businesses, including Cherry Central, Shetler Family Dairy, and Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, to promote the festival and support the local economy.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The National Cherry Festival Foundation's mission is to promote the National Cherry Festival and support the local community through various initiatives and events, in partnership with organizations such as the Traverse City Rotary Club, Traverse City Elks Lodge, and Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The foundation's objectives include promoting tourism and agriculture in the Traverse City area, supporting local businesses and organizations, and providing entertainment and educational opportunities for visitors and residents, including events such as the Cherry Festival Parade, Cherry Festival Air Show, and Cherry Festival Concert Series. The foundation works with local government entities, including the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners and the City of Traverse City Commission, to achieve its objectives and support the local community, including organizations such as the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Traverse City Association, and Traverse City Tourism. The foundation also partners with regional organizations, including the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Michigan State University Extension, to promote the festival and support local agriculture and tourism initiatives.

● Festival_Events

The National Cherry Festival Foundation organizes and promotes various events and activities during the National Cherry Festival, including the Cherry Festival Parade, Cherry Festival Air Show, and Cherry Festival Concert Series, which feature performances by artists such as The Beach Boys, Chicago, and REO Speedwagon. The foundation also hosts events such as the Cherry Festival Pie-Eating Contest, Cherry Festival Cherry Pit Spitting Contest, and Cherry Festival Kids' Day, which are sponsored by local businesses, including Cherry Republic, The Filling Station Microbrewery, and Left Foot Charley. The foundation works with local organizations, including the Traverse City Area Public Schools, Northwestern Michigan College, and Michigan State University Extension, to promote the festival and support local education and community initiatives, such as the Traverse City Area Public Schools' Cherry Festival Art Contest and the Northwestern Michigan College's Cherry Festival Scholarship Program. The foundation also partners with regional organizations, including the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Michigan State University Extension, to promote the festival and support local agriculture and tourism initiatives.

● Organization_and_Governance

The National Cherry Festival Foundation is governed by a board of directors composed of local business leaders and community volunteers, including Terry Walker and Mary Manner, who are also involved with organizations such as the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Traverse City Association, and Traverse City Tourism. The foundation's staff includes an executive director and various event coordinators and volunteers, who work with local organizations, including the Traverse City Area Public Schools, Northwestern Michigan College, and Michigan State University Extension, to promote the festival and support local education and community initiatives. The foundation also has various committees, including the Festival Committee, Marketing Committee, and Finance Committee, which are responsible for planning and organizing the festival, promoting the festival, and managing the foundation's finances, respectively. The foundation works with local government entities, including the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners and the City of Traverse City Commission, to ensure that the festival is well-planned and executed, and that the foundation's finances are managed effectively.

● Community_Impact

The National Cherry Festival Foundation has a significant impact on the local community, generating revenue for local businesses and organizations, and promoting tourism and agriculture in the Traverse City area, in partnership with organizations such as the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Traverse City Association, and Traverse City Tourism. The foundation's events and activities also provide entertainment and educational opportunities for visitors and residents, including events such as the Cherry Festival Parade, Cherry Festival Air Show, and Cherry Festival Concert Series. The foundation works with local organizations, including the Traverse City Area Public Schools, Northwestern Michigan College, and Michigan State University Extension, to promote the festival and support local education and community initiatives, such as the Traverse City Area Public Schools' Cherry Festival Art Contest and the Northwestern Michigan College's Cherry Festival Scholarship Program. The foundation also partners with regional organizations, including the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Michigan State University Extension, to promote the festival and support local agriculture and tourism initiatives.

● Financials_and_Sponsorship

The National Cherry Festival Foundation is a non-profit organization that relies on donations and sponsorship to support its events and activities, including the Cherry Festival Parade, Cherry Festival Air Show, and Cherry Festival Concert Series. The foundation's major sponsors include local businesses, such as Cherry Republic, The Filling Station Microbrewery, and Left Foot Charley, as well as regional organizations, including the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Michigan State University Extension. The foundation also receives funding from local government entities, including the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners and the City of Traverse City Commission, to support its events and activities. The foundation's financial statements are audited annually by an independent accounting firm, such as Plante Moran, to ensure transparency and accountability, and the foundation's finances are managed by its Finance Committee, which is responsible for managing the foundation's budget and ensuring that its finances are managed effectively. The foundation also works with local organizations, including the Traverse City Area Public Schools, Northwestern Michigan College, and Michigan State University Extension, to promote the festival and support local education and community initiatives, and to ensure that the foundation's finances are used effectively to support the local community.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Michigan