While many of us have seen the celebrations taking place marking the 10th Anniversary of the Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, we might tend to forget that the Pokagon Fund is also marking a decade of what they have tabbed as “Progress through Partnerships.” That’s the theme of the newly released 2016 Annual Report for the philanthropic arm of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians here in Michigan’s Great Southwest.
Executive Director Janet Cocciarelli has delivered a colorful, online assessment of the first ten years of the organization with a year-end summary of the Pokagon Fund’s activities in partnership with grantees and it shows a record number of awards and identifies the issues supported, creating a substantial positive impact on those served with Harbor Country, Dowagiac, Hartford and South Bend where they have existing and planned casino operations.
Cocciarelli says, “The centerpiece of our report is a reprise and overview of the remarkable improvements in the quality of life of the residents in the communities served by the Fund since the opening of the Four Winds Casino Resort in 2007. These enhancements have resulted from the generosity of the Pokagon Band, the foresight of the leaders of the City of New Buffalo and New Buffalo Township and the creativity of the many individuals and organizations that have joined in partnership with The Pokagon Fund on projects large and small.”
According to the new report, the Pokagon Fund’s mission is “To enhance the lives of the people of the New Buffalo region through monetary support of local governments, nonprofits, charities and other organizations. A full 90-percent of the grants awarded by The Pokagon Fund are for projects affecting the residents of Harbor Country. Ten percent of the foundation’s grant funding is awarded to projects benefiting surrounding tribal land consolidation sites.”
In documenting gifts and grants, Cocciarelli’s report tells us that, “One of the most remarkable results of the creation of the Four Winds facilities in New Buffalo, Hartford and Dowagiac has been the extent of the revenue sharing of those operations. Over the period from 2008 to 2015, the cumulative payouts to the Local Revenue Sharing Boards in those communities has exceeded the payouts by every one of the other eleven Native American resorts in Michigan that share revenue with local units of government, topping the similar payments by the second largest revenue contributor, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, by over $2 million.” In fact, the report tells us that approximately $50-million has been distributed to local units of government in Berrien County from 2008 through 2016.
In a letter prefacing the report, the Executive Director says, “We celebrate our collaborations with diverse community-based organizations that have accomplished extraordinary feats, including establishing beautiful public parks, feeding the hungry and increasing literacy among our youth. Examples include the development of Galien River County Park and its spectacular viewing tower, the daily provision of hot meals, grocery and personal items to our neighbors in need and construction of New Buffalo Township Library.”
She goes on to say, “We know that reducing the overall rate of poverty is a public good that strengthens the middle class, enriches human capital by allowing greater access to higher education and increases family stability. Such projects are at the core of what The Pokagon Fund has meant to the communities it serves.”
In looking back over the past ten years, Cocciarelli says that the Fund has learned “that meaningful results are more likely to be attained when The Pokagon Fund partners with those who are embedded in the local community and have an unbridled dedication to the success of their projects. When there is open and honest communication, room around the table for all interested parties and a willingness to compromise to achieve a common goal, such partnerships have flourished.”
You can see the full 2016 Annual Report by accessing the online data through the link below:
