Our Blog

Step by step, it starts with “love of humanity”

The word “philanthropy” comes from Greek roots, meaning, quite simply, a love of humanity. It’s a big word, but at its heart, it reflects something very personal: the desire to help others, strengthen community, and make a difference in ways that...

Legal Developments We’re Watching

As your go-to resource for charitable giving techniques, the Wayne County Foundation team pays close attention to best practices in addressing the broad range of your clients’ charitable intentions to support both near-term and long-term community needs. This includes...

Advising the Charitable Millionaire Next Door

At the end of 2024’s first quarter, an estimated 485,000 Americans could count themselves among the so-called “401(k) millionaires,” meaning the balance in their employer-sponsored retirement plans has reached the $1 million level. Thanks in part to stock market...

Donor Story: Clyde and Carol Black

Throughout this year, the Wayne County Foundation is highlighting several of our donors through blog posts. This initiative aims to understand their story and how their philanthropic endeavors create positive impacts in the community. For our second donor story, we...

Donor Story: Jim and Sharon Howell

Looking Back at 2023 and Looking Forward to 2024

In this blog Rebecca Gilliam, Foundation Executive Director, reflects on some of the highlights from 2023 and provides a preview of what to look forward to in 2024. As we approach the year's end, I want to express my appreciation for your continued support of the...

I have an Attitude of Giving and Gratitude

In this blog Rebecca Gilliam, Foundation Executive Director, discusses the importance of charitable giving and strategies to help you get started. Charitable Giving It’s easy to get caught up checking boxes on our to-do list and forget the impact that giving and...

Donor Highlight – Barry & Carolyn MacDowell

Each month, the Foundation will highlight a donor whose gifts are making a difference across Wayne County. For the month of August, we had a chance to speak with Barry and Carolyn MacDowell.

The MacDowells are long-time supporters of the Wayne County Foundation, and are the founders of three funds at the Foundation: the Barry and Carolyn MacDowell Family Fund, the Carolyn MacDowell, RN, Fund for Adult Day Care, and the Kevin Scott MacDowell Memorial Scholarship.