Read More Here – Annie Doyle The Petoskey News-Review | February 17, 2023

CHARLEVOIX — It’s the time of year when students start to think about potential summer employment opportunities.

Charlevoix’s Belvedere Club and the Belvedere Golf Club offer student employees — as well as the children of full-time staff members — college scholarships.

“While the fund itself has existed for 25 years, there are many in the community that are not aware of the Belvedere Club’s scholarship opportunity,” said general manager David Gray.

Including the recipients who were awarded scholarships for the 2022-23 school year, the Belvedere Club scholarship fund has awarded over $1,000,000 to more than 120 students since its inception in 1997, according to Gray. Over the last several years, the number of recipients that are provided scholarships for a four-year span ranges from 20-28 individuals, with $50,000-$70,000 awarded each year. For 2023, the goal is to provide a minimum of $3,500 annually to the individuals of the 2023-24 recipient class.

Some of the basic criteria required to be eligible for the Belvedere scholarship award includes: a minimum of three years of employment and meeting an “hours worked requirement” at either Belvedere facility; a minimum GPA of 2.5 and maintain “full-time” status at an accredited college, university or trade school each year after receiving the initial award.

The Belvedere Scholarship Fund was established in 1997 by a small group of members whose goal was to provide 4-year renewable scholarships for secondary education to the individuals who provided such great service to the members, as employees of the Belvedere Golf Club.

An endowment fund was established to allow for future growth and a grant-making fund that allows for the direct distribution of awards to the recipients. Both funds are administered by the Charlevoix County Community Foundation. A Scholarship Review Committee, consisting of Gray, plus two local individuals, reviews and processes the application submissions annually. In 1998, the committee expanded the pool of eligible students to include employees of both the Belvedere Club and the Belvedere Golf Club, as well as children of the full-time staff members at both clubs. In 2014, the committee established a Named Endowment Contribution program, which allows members to make a $25,000 contribution to the Endowment Fund in honor of a family or in memory of beloved Belvedere family members.

This additional funding opportunity accelerated the growth of the Endowment Fund substantially.

“What really makes this program mutually beneficial to the Charlevoix Community and the Belvedere Club is that the students who receive the scholarship have been driven to succeed both scholastically and in their future careers,” said Gray. “Whether that be in this area or around the world, these young adults strengthen their abilities to be responsible and put in the effort to succeed. Many of the types of jobs offered at the Belvedere Club and the Golf Club are perfect for students who may be entering the workforce for the first time.  Knowing this, our members have proven to be very supportive in making it a good experience and are engaged as part of the community and not just an ‘island’ of summer visitors.”

Additionally, a professional network of Belvedere members was recently developed who volunteer to be accessible to the scholarship fund beneficiaries. This group of individuals represents all types of different industries and makes themselves available to offer guidance, advice, mentoring, make connections and explain their industry.

— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 or [email protected]om