Supporting the Canton Community

Welcome to the Jim and Caroline Deinema Canton Community Foundation

The application period for grants from the Jim and Caroline Deinema Canton Community Foundation opens on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. Grant applications are due by midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.

Apply for a Grant

About the Foundation

Founded in 1997, the Jim and Caroline Deinema Canton Community Foundation was created to improve the quality of life right here in our community. Gifts to the Foundation grow over time thanks to the benefit of a pooled investment that generates long-term asset growth.

Through the power of endowment, more than $100,000 has been granted to nonprofits and causes throughout the Canton area since our founding, touching the lives of people right here at home.

OUR MISSION

The Jim and Caroline Deinema Canton Community Foundation pursues opportunities to improve lives and strengthen our community. Organizations who serve our youth and senior citizens, as well as those dedicated to important causes such as education, the arts, cultural enrichment, historical preservation and more are all made stronger thanks to support from the Foundation.

Our History

In 1997, Caroline Deinema enlisted the support of community members, including longtime Canton resident and local banking executive Mike Broderick, to establish the Foundation following the death of her husband, Jim. Her hope was to honor his life and his legacy of care by helping to improve the quality of life for the Canton community — for good, for ever.

Grants

The application period for grants from the Jim and Caroline Deinema Canton Community Foundation opens on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. Grant applications are due by midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. Apply for a grant.

Local Impact

A few of our recent grant recipients include:

  • Canton Boy Scouts Troop 60: in support of a scholarship fund to assist scouts with the costs associated with attending summer camping experiences.
  • Good Samaritan Foundation — Canton: to assist in updating the resident activity/recreation room through the purchase of a large screen TV and other upgrades.
  • Canton Area Historical Society: to assist in some of the costs associated with maintaining the Society's historical house property such as tree maintenance.
  • Canton Inwood Area Youth Organization — Children's Theatre: to provide children of all abilities the chance to experience theatre through acting, directing, costumes, lights, sound, and tech crew, regardless of their family's financial status. For many children in Canton, this is their only experience with the theater arts.

Enhancing Our Community

Boy Scout Troop 60
Scout leader Dan Heinemann (far right) presents the grant award check to Benjamin Buitenbos (left) and Caleb Sorum (center)
Canton Good Samaritan
Left to right: L to R Don Pottratz, Foundation Advisor Emeritus; Kathy Van Kley, Canton Good Samaritan Activities Director; Leah Peterson, Foundation Advisory Board Member
Canton Area Historical Society
Left to right: Bob Lier, Foundation Advisory Board Member; Jerry Keiser, President, Canton Area Historical Society
Children's Theatre
Left to right: Karla Lems, Foundation Advisory Board Member; Kate Feilmeier, Coordinator, Canton Inwood Area Youth Organization--Children's Theatre

Our Board

We're grateful to the following community members who volunteer their time to serve on our board:

  • David Amundson (Chair)
  • Mike Broderick (Vice Chair)
  • Eric Hohman (Secretary)
  • Jonathan Toso (Treasurer)
  • John Devick
  • Steve Deinema
  • Sterling Heath
  • Cheryl Johnson
  • Karla Lems
  • Bob Lier
  • Edith Nelson
  • Leah Peterson
  • Brenda VanZee

Show Your Support

Join the movement to help enhance and ensure the vitality of the community we all call home.

Make your gift to the Jim and Caroline Deinema Canton Community Foundation today.

Make a Gift Today