The McLeod Family: Decades of Community Impact
In 1960, Brunswick Corporation lured Dave and Carol McLeod to move to Muskegon from Montreal, Canada. While their original plan was to live in Muskegon for only a few years, the McLeod family has now lived in the area for 61 years and have made a lasting impact in the community.
As Dave traveled a lot for work, Carol focused on raising their two sons as well as being deeply involved in their church and community. Dave describes Carol as a social entrepreneur who innovated many different community programs at their church. Carol had an ability to draw in her church family and other friends to get involved as well, according to Dave. The popular programs supported efforts like literacy, tutoring, and social efforts. One of these programs, the Supper House, is in its 21st year and is ongoing.
Giving back has long been a priority for the McLeods. This philanthropic interest led them to start the McLeod Scholarship Fund in 2003, in memory of their son, Doug. This fund has helped many students achieve a higher education and allowed Dave and Carol to build some lasting relationships. After Carol’s passing in the spring of 2020, Dave established a Donor Advised Fund to continue to give back to the community.
“The Community Foundation represents a proven, stable administrator of scholarship funds and our Donor Advised Fund,” said Dave McLeod. “We chose the Community Foundation knowing that it provides the best opportunity of continuing to make a philanthropic difference in the community for a long time – beyond my and my wife’s lifetime.”
The McLeods are long-time supporters of the arts in Muskegon County, often attending performances from Cherry County Playhouse, Muskegon Civic Theatre, and the West Michigan Symphony over the years. For his birthday in 1998, Carol gifted Dave with a Frauenthal Theater seat. It was this gift that began their journey of giving to the Frauenthal Center and the Community Foundation. After a tour of the Frauenthal Center earlier this year, Dave reaffirmed his and Carol’s love for the theater with a multiyear gift to the Frauenthal Preservation Campaign Fund.
In addition to their existing funds, Dave has also recently set up an Estate Plan Distribution agreement (EPD), ensuring that their long history of generosity will continue.
If you’d like to make a lasting impact in Muskegon County, visit this page to explore ways to get started or talk with Heidi or Pete in our development team for more information:gifts@muskegonfoundation.org.