More than a decade before Millcreek became a city, volunteers created the nonprofit Venture Out organization that created events like movies in the park and Millfreaks during Halloween. Once Millcreek incorporated, Venture Out became part of the city’s community life department. 

However, because Venture Out was funded through sponsorships and grant money, they lost donors who would only give funds to 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Additionally, as the city’s Millcreek Promise program grows, the city hopes to create sponsorship opportunities that could bring in funds for after-school programs and community outreach.

To address the situation, Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini and the city council created the 501(c)(3) Millcreek Community Foundation in December 2022. Silvestrini serves as president/chair of the foundation which is a vehicle to raise money for projects and activities that strengthen the Millcreek community.

“The bottom line was we were looking for a better vehicle to be able to accept charitable contributions for grants from individuals or foundations that are reluctant to give to cities,” Silvestrini said. “We felt that a community foundation would be a good vehicle to be able to receive grants for the [Millcreek] Promise program, as well as for other things that we do as a city.”

Millcreek Promise is a community initiative to help the city’s children and families find success. It coincides with the foundation’s mission to help underprivileged Millcreek residents, provide open space for arts and recreation, reduce neighborhood tension and discrimination by creating shared community events and use economic development to combat community deterioration. 

“The Promise program does all kinds of things to help support folks in our community who may have less,” he said. “We’ve done things like the Internet Essentials programs to get them computers and internet. We’ve provided grant funding to help pay housing deposits for people who were evicted from a low-income project, and we’ve done a bunch of things that serve the best interests and general welfare of our city.”

The Millcreek Community Foundation’s first fundraiser was held in 2023. The foundation sold pavers for $150 that would be placed outside the new city hall. The tax-deductible donation allowed individuals, families, businesses and groups to purchase a 5-inch by 19-inch paver, inscribed with a name or message. Monies raised paid for public art projects in the city. 

This year, the foundation will raise money to support Venture Out and other community events. Silvestrini said the foundation may eventually take over the operation of Millcreek Common.

“In other communities, like Rapid City, South Dakota, they have a similar ice skating and splash pad facility. They operate independent of Rapid City itself, so they’re self-sustaining. One of our goals might be to become that kind of self-sustaining operation as well. That’s a thought of what we might do in the future.”

The next phase of Millcreek Common is in the works. It could include a skateboard park, an 18-hole miniature golf course and an amphitheater for community performances. The Millcreek Community Foundation could take over operation of that venue to allow it to receive funds from sponsors and donors. 

“We’re hoping that the foundation will serve the entire community,” Silvestrini said. “Not just fun things like the Millcreek Common and Venture Out but also to help support our Promise program and some of the social welfare things it is engaged in to lift all boats in our community and ensure that folks in our refugee and immigrant community are included.”λ