Funds > Mackinac State Historic Parks Fund

"Donors to our Community Foundation Fund are making possible a permanent endowment, something that public parks and museums typically do not have within their own structure."
Diane Dombroski,
Fund Development Coordinator, MSHP

Mackinac State Historic Parks established a fund with the Mackinac Island Community Foundation to "provide perpetual support for the collecting, preservation, study and interpretation of the unique cultural and natural resources of the Straits of Mackinac region, through the activities of Mackinac State Historic Parks."

The mission of Mackinac State Historic Parks (MSHP) is to protect, preserve and present Mackinac’s rich historic and natural resources to provide outstanding educational and recreational experiences for the public.

The free areas of the parks are supported by an annual appropriation of Michigan tax dollars, but the historical and museum programs receive little tax support and operate mostly on income from admissions, program fees, publications and museum store sales.

Why does MSHP need a community foundation fund? According to former Director Carl Nold, "the extras that make MSHP known for excellence often cost more than the regular budget supports. Tree planting, drinking fountains, land protection measures and facility renovation all take more dollars than are available from the legislative budget."