One of the area’s bedrock organizations passed a significant milestone last week.

The Marquette County Community Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary at a dinner on the campus of Northern Michigan University.

The foundation is a nonprofit community organization composed of various funds that that benefit various groups and charities in the county. Since being launched in 1988, the foundation has invested more than $4.5 million back into the community through grants to nonprofit organizations, schools and scholarships.

The year was a good one for the foundation, which now is a $14 million organization. During its 25th birthday year, the MCCF distributed more than $844,000 in scholarships as well as standard and competitive grants in Marquette County.

During 2013, the MCCF’s Marquette Fund offered more than $21,000 in grants while the Marquette County Youth Advisory Council allocated more than $20,000 in grants to serve county youth.

The dinner also saw Five Catalyst Awards given, in recognition of volunteering and philanthropy. The winners and their respective categories were: Jeanette Maki, individual; Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., business; the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, organization; Jamie Carter, youth; and 40 Below Young Professionals of Marquette County, service.

We applaud the organization for its many outstanding works and gladly note that it is among key reasons this area is the wonderful place to live that it is.

To learn more about MCCF, call 226-7666 or visit www.marquettecountycommunityfoundation.org.