The South Haven Area Community Foundation is touting the programs it’s been able to support locally during the past year.

Foundation Director Jim Marcoux addressed the South Haven City Council this week, flanked by representatives of non-profits from throughout the region. He said the foundation has been independent since 2005, raising money locally to support community efforts throughout the area served by South Haven Public Schools.

“And this money has gone right back out into the community,” Marcoux said. “We raise money, we invest it, and it’s really not us, but these people that are in the audience, all of our 501(c)(3) partners who are doing the great things in our community.”

Marcoux said the South Haven Area Community Foundation has given out more than $219,000 this year alone. He named some of the beneficiaries.

“South Haven Area Emergency Services, Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan…Southwest Michigan United Way, South Haven Public School Music Boosters, Van Buren Youth Initiative, Beautify Pullman…Al Van Humane Society.”

The list went on and on.

Marcoux said when the foundation was just an affiliate of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, it would be lucky to have $12,000 to distribute in a year. Since 2005, the South Haven Area Community Foundation has donated more than $1 million.