Thank you for your interest in helping the Beaver Island Rural Health Center!
We could not survive without your support!

The Beaver Island Rural Health Center raises only 28% of the funding it needs to operate from patient and insurance payments. The rest comes from property taxes, grants and donations.

There are several ways you can support the Health Center and the essential services it provides:

The BIRHC Special Projects Fund

This fund is held with the Charlevoix County Community Foundation. Its purposes are two fold: To fund new and improved programs and to serve as a contingency fund from which the board can borrow to operate the Health Center during times of negative cash flow. This is especially important due to the seasonal fluctuations of property tax receipts and patient revenue. The Special Projects Fund is always kept in liquid investments that do not vary with market conditions. This fund can be spent down to zero in emergency situations. To contribute to this fund click on the Charlevoix County Community Foundation link below and follow the site’s instructions. Specify “BIRHC Special Projects Fund” in the appropriate box on the page. Donating to this fund entitles you to a Michigan Income tax credit in addition to the federal charitable deduction.

The BIRHC Endowment Fund

This fund is a permanent endowment fund also held at the Charlevoix County Community Foundation. It was the brainchild of the late Dr. Phil Lange. It is invested in mutual funds and is designed to grow over time. Only a maximum of 5% of this fund can be withdrawn in any year. The principal can never be invaded. So donating to the BIRHC Endowment is a way to “do good forever.” As of March 31st, 2010, the balance in this fund was $978,000. This is a huge increase from the balance of a little over $100,000 when the Capital Campaign began in 2004. This year the Health Center was able to withdraw $20,000 in income from the Endowment Fund to support operations. The long-term goal of the BIRHC Board is to build a 5 million-dollar endowment that could eliminate the current need to hold several yearly fundraisers in order to keep the Health Center doors open. To contribute to this fund click on the Charlevoix County Community Foundation link below and follow the Foundation’s instructions. Specify “BIRHC Endowment Fund” in the appropriate box. Endowment Fund donations of $10,000 or more are recognized with engraved plaques on the “Legacy Tree” wall sculpture located in the reception area of the health Center. Gifts can be paid over up to five years. Donating to this fund entitles you to a Michigan Income tax credit in addition to the federal charitable deduction.

Click here to go to the Charlevoix County Community Foundation site www.c3f.org.

Yearly Fundraisers

Each year the Health Center sponsors 3 fundraisers:

1) Car Raffle
Tickets on a 2010 Chevy Cobalt are $100 each and can be purchased at the Health Center, from any board member and from seller at McDonough’s Market beginning July 1st. This year’s drawing will be at the Beaver Island Lodge. Tickets are not tax deductible and raffle winners are responsible for any taxes due.

2) Golf Tournament
For the second year John Works Jr., a BIRHC Board member is generously donating his course on Saturday August 14th (rain date August 15th) for an exciting tournament to benefit the Health Center. Teams of players pay a fee to play and enjoy a post tournament meal. Participants will be eligible to win many valuable prizes.

3) Wish List
Click on the “Wish List” tab on our home page to learn about items needed at the Health Center.  Call the Health Center office for further information.