Your Support Makes a Big Difference
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In 2021 Steve Purdum, long-time owner of Camp Mishawaka, began a multi-year process to transition Camp Mishawaka to a 501c3 nonprofit organization. This move was made to preserve and protect the history, traditions and facilities of Camp Mishawka for future generations of campers. With the help of a dedicated group of alumni, the generosity of the Mishawka community during our capital campaign, and the Purdum family’s commitment to this transition, the process was completed in early 2024 with the acquisition of camp assets by the nonprofit entity.
A combination of robust program revenue and donor support are critical to Camp Mishawka’s ongoing success and its continued impact on the lives of campers. We encourage you to consider a tax-deductible donation to Camp Mishawaka.
What do we do with our donated funds?
Scholarships: We maintain a segregated scholarship reserve and carry on the work of the previous Mishawaka Foundation, which contributed its assets following the transition. While our reserve funds generate a portion of our annual scholarship support, we do rely on annual contributions to fully fund our scholarship program. If you would like to contribute specifically to the funding of scholarships please indicate this when making a contribution.
Unrestricted giving: We encourage non-scholarship donations to be unrestricted so that we can most efficiently allocate funds. While we maintain some general reserve funds, our priority is to put your donations to use rather them have them sit in a bank account. This is easiest if we can use them where they are most needed, whether that be capital improvements, program development, or expanded staffing.
Donor Directed Projects: While unrestricted giving provides the greatest flexibility when putting your donations to use, we are happy to discuss comprehensive funding of a project of particular interest to you. If you would like to discuss a significant contribution for a specific purpose, please reach out, we’d love to work with you.
“I’m so grateful that my mom discovered Camp Mishawaka. Everyone there makes me feel like I have another home and the staff are so kind. I want to thank you for allowing me to have this opportunity to go to Mishawaka.”
Four year camper and scholarship recipient
How do you make a donation?
Cash: If you would like to make a cash donation to Camp Mishawaka you can mail a check to us at: Camp Mishawaka / PO Box 368 / Grand Rapids, MN 55744 You can also make a cash donation online through PayPal with a credit card. You do not need a PayPal account to do this. While we participate in PayPal’s nonprofit program, which has a reduced fee structure, there are still fees associated with this method compared to sending a check.
Appreciated stock: Many donors have transferred appreciated stock. If you and your financial advisors determine this is advantageous for tax purposes, please contact us and we can provide transfer instructions.
Required Minimum IRA distributions: This is another donor strategy that your advisors might recommend. If you determine that you would like to direct a required minimum distribution (RMD) to Camp Mishawka, please contact us before sending the funds so we can ensure we meet any deposit timing requirements that you have.
In kind donations: Please contact us if you are considering an in-kind donation of any goods or services. We are happy to discuss this type of contribution, but we need to ensure we are able to accept and utilize the goods and/or services before the donation is made.
Camp Mishawaka is a 501c3 nonprofit (Federal EIN # 86-2026384). Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law and your particular situation. Please consult your financial advisors to ensure the deductibility of your intended donation.
Donate Online
Mailing a check:
Camp Mishawaka
PO Box 368
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Please contact Steve Purdum with any questions you have about donations at 218-326-5011, or contact Steve by email.
