The Pellston Education Foundation has launched a new endowment with a $1 million matching gift.
The match was announced during a fundraising event on Aug. 11 at Trovato in Brutus, where 50 guests raised $60,000 toward the match, according to a school announcement.
The endowment will provide long-term support for educational initiatives, scholarships and enrichment opportunities for Pellston students.
“Our goal is to raise $5 million and to have this completed in less than 10 years,” Larry Cassidy, a foundation volunteer, said in the announcement. “With this incredible community behind us, I know we can make it happen — and the impact will be felt for generations of Hornets to come.”
The $1 million matching gift was donated by John and Becky Duffey, owners of Trovato, who also hosted the event.
“We believe deeply in the mission of the Pellston Education Foundation and are proud to be part of such an important milestone,” the Duffeys said in the announcement. “When you think about what’s going to better our community, it’s education. Because if we invest in providing our graduates with a higher education their lives are going to change and, hopefully, they will return to our community. Many of these kids believe there are limited opportunities and our goal is to make sure all students know there is opportunity ahead so that they can set bigger, higher goals to achieve.”
The event featured presentations from community members, including a Pellston alum and past scholarship recipient.
In 2025, the foundation awarded $28,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors.
Board president Carlin Smith said that a growing endowment will allow the foundation to do even more for students.
“Ultimately we hope that every deserving graduating senior at Pellston can receive financial support for higher education or trades training, not for just one year, but throughout their schooling,” he said in the announcement. “We’re now well on our way toward that goal.”
With the $60,000 raised at the event, the foundation is now focused on securing the remaining funds to meet the first phase of the $1 million match. Community members are encouraged to donate, get involved and partner in the educational enrichment of Pellston students.
Visit PellstonEducation.org to learn more.
This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
