Building a Stronger Lansing: Laurie Baumer’s Vision for Community and Connection

When it comes to building stronger communities, few leaders bring as much heart, vision, and collaboration to the table as Laurie Baumer, President and CEO of the Community Foundation in Greater Lansing. In her conversation with Mission Control host Paul J. Schmidt, Laurie reflects on her journey through nonprofit leadership, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the collective power that drives real, lasting change across Mid-Michigan.

From the start, Laurie makes it clear that her work at the Community Foundation is about more than grants and donations—it’s about creating vibrant, connected communities across Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton counties. The Foundation serves as a trusted partner for donors, nonprofits, and local leaders, channeling generosity into meaningful impact. “Our mission is really about building a region where everyone can thrive,” Laurie shares. “We connect people who care with causes that matter.”

A Riverfront Reimagined

One of the Foundation’s most visible impacts can be found right along the Lansing riverfront—a project Laurie calls both a strategic and emotional investment in the community’s future. When she and her team began exploring economic development opportunities, they noticed something missing: a cohesive plan to make the riverfront a true destination.

Through partnerships, vision, and persistence, that gap became an opportunity. Projects like Rotary Park and Fish Ladder Music Park have redefined how people experience downtown Lansing. What was once overlooked has become a gathering place for concerts, festivals, and everyday connection.

Laurie recalls that not everyone saw the vision at first. “There was skepticism,” she admits. “But once people experienced it—once they saw families playing by the water, music in the air, and businesses coming alive nearby—the excitement grew. It became a symbol of what’s possible when we work together.”

The riverfront transformation stands as a shining example of placemaking done right—where community pride and economic momentum meet to create something that truly belongs to everyone.

The Path to Philanthropy

Laurie’s journey into fundraising wasn’t a straight line. Early in her career, she worked in advertising and state government, sharpening her communication and leadership skills before finding her true calling in the nonprofit world.

It began with volunteer work at the Humane Society, where she quickly discovered a passion for connecting people to purpose. Under the guidance of a seasoned mentor during a major capital campaign, she learned the art of fundraising—not as a transaction, but as a relationship.

“Fundraising is really about storytelling,” Laurie explains. “It’s about showing people the incredible work nonprofits are doing and giving them a chance to be part of that success. When donors see both the need and the impact, it builds trust—and that’s where transformation happens.”

From Ele’s Place to Community Foundation

Before joining the Community Foundation, Laurie spent sixteen impactful years at Ele’s Place, an organization that provides grief support for children and families. There, she applied her marketing background to expand fundraising, awareness, and mission growth during some of the organization’s most pivotal years.

Her transition to the Community Foundation came naturally. “After so many years focused on one mission, I was ready to take what I’d learned and apply it to something broader,” Laurie reflects. “The Foundation gives me the opportunity to support hundreds of causes—each one making our region stronger in its own way.”

Leading Through Challenge

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Laurie’s leadership and foresight were put to the test. Years of building organizational strength paid off as the Foundation pivoted quickly, shifting grant priorities and deepening collaborations with partners like United Way to support nonprofits facing unprecedented challenges.

“Those relationships we’d been nurturing for years became essential,” she says. “We weren’t just funding projects—we were helping sustain the heartbeat of our community.”

The experience reinforced her belief that trust and preparation are the foundation of resilience.

New Energy, New Initiatives

Today, the Community Foundation is moving boldly into its next chapter. Laurie highlights the momentum of the Community Investment team, a dedicated group driving fresh energy into regional initiatives and donor engagement.

With new board leadership and a renewed focus on riverfront development, the Foundation continues to champion projects that bring people together. Laurie is particularly passionate about cultivating local leaders and CEOs as champions for change—people who can use their influence to strengthen the fabric of downtown Lansing and beyond.

“Our role is to help them see how their investment—financially or through leadership—can transform a community,” she says. “It’s about building champions, not just checking boxes.”

Grounded in Faith and Connection

Amid the constant pace of leadership, Laurie finds balance in moments of stillness—spending time at Higgins Lake, reflecting on nature, and leaning into her faith. It’s a reminder that even the most community-minded leaders need space to recharge.

“Faith keeps me grounded,” she shares. “It reminds me why this work matters—not just for today, but for the generations that will follow.”

Looking Ahead

Laurie Baumer’s story is one of vision, collaboration, and heart. From transforming the Lansing riverfront to empowering nonprofits through trust and partnership, her leadership continues to shape the region’s future in meaningful ways.

As she looks ahead, Laurie remains focused on one simple truth: lasting change begins with connection. And through the work of the Community Foundation in Greater Lansing, those connections are building a stronger, more vibrant Mid-Michigan—one relationship at a time.

To learn more, visit ourcommunity.org or follow Capital Region Community Foundation on **LinkedIn** and **Facebook**. And to hear Laurie’s full conversation with Paul J. Schmidt, check out the *Mission Control* podcast—where stories like hers remind us that every act of giving begins with connection.

When it comes to tackling poverty across Michigan, few organizations have captured the spirit of collaboration and innovation quite like **Storehouse for Community Resources**. Featured on the *Mission Control* podcast with host **Paul J. Schmidt**, Executive Director **Jessica Johns** shared how this remarkable nonprofit has grown from a humble idea into a statewide force for good—connecting resources, organizations, and communities in ways that truly multiply impact.

### A Mission That Multiplies Good

At its heart, Storehouse has a clear and ambitious purpose: **to decrease poverty and increase prosperity in communities across Michigan.** It’s a mission rooted in practicality and powered by faith. Instead of focusing solely on direct aid, Storehouse bridges the gap between abundance and need—redistributing essential goods from manufacturers, retailers, and big-box stores to nonprofits, schools, and churches that serve people every day.

Think of it as a *Costco for nonprofits.* Inside Storehouse’s **35,000-square-foot warehouse**, partners push carts through aisles stocked with bedding, hygiene products, clothing, and office supplies—all available at a fraction of retail cost. Every cart filled saves local nonprofits dollars that can be reinvested directly into their programs and people.

As Jessica explains, “You’re literally shopping for the supplies you need. The space is designed to make giving efficient—and even a little fun.”

### From Classroom to Community Builder

Jessica’s journey to this role began far from warehouse floors. A former **teacher**, she spent years in the classroom, witnessing firsthand how poverty limits opportunity. Growing up in a large family herself, she understood what it meant to make do with little—and that empathy became her compass.

“I grew up in poverty,” she shared. “It was always inside me to want to give back.”

That calling deepened while volunteering at a Michigan food bank, where Jessica noticed a glaring need for personal care items. When a broker offered to donate these products—but only to a registered nonprofit—she and her friend **Nora Rooter** took a leap of faith and founded Storehouse.

They had no warehouse, no funding, and no experience. What they *did* have was determination, community spirit, and a belief that God had placed this work on their hearts.

### Building a Warehouse of Hope

From its early days in a borrowed church facility to its current bustling warehouse, Storehouse’s growth has been fueled by both ingenuity and grit.

The first truckload of donations—sourced through a partnership with **World Vision**—arrived overflowing with everything from shoes to pillows. At first, the sheer volume was overwhelming. Then, within days, another nonprofit called needing pillows for families in crisis. The alignment felt like fate. “There was probably more here than we realized,” Jessica said.

Moments like that cemented the organization’s model: acting as a **connector**, not a competitor, within Michigan’s charitable ecosystem. By equipping other nonprofits with the materials they need, Storehouse empowers them to do more of what they do best.

### Scaling Across Michigan

What started as one truckload of supplies has evolved into a statewide network. Storehouse now serves **over 40 counties**, with a goal of reaching all 80 in the coming years. Expansion isn’t just about opening new buildings—it’s about building relationships.

Jessica spends time at Rotary meetings, community events, and nonprofit roundtables, spreading the word and inviting people to tour the space. Once visitors see the operation in person, they rarely forget it. “Once you come, you find it intriguing,” she said. “You go back and talk about it.”

That word-of-mouth momentum has carried Storehouse into new communities across Michigan, proving that good work travels fast when it’s rooted in authenticity.

### Faith, Family, and Leadership

Jessica’s leadership style draws directly from her teaching background. One principle has guided her from the classroom to the warehouse floor: **“Model, model, model.”** She believes in showing, not telling—whether it’s leading a team, welcoming volunteers, or fostering collaboration between nonprofits.

Volunteers remain the heartbeat of Storehouse. Some have been with the organization since its very first shipments, and many corporate and college groups now join in for team-building days of sorting, packing, and organizing goods. Jessica calls them “the OGs,” a testament to how integral they’ve become to the mission.

Beyond Storehouse, Jessica finds balance in family life. A proud mom of three boys, she recharges by hiking, traveling, and unplugging outdoors. “Just being outside and enjoying nature,” she says, is her way to reset after days filled with constant motion.

### Technology and the Next Chapter

As Storehouse grows, Jessica envisions technology as the key to deeper impact. A custom inventory and tracking system already allows the team to monitor thousands of donated items, right down to the last pillow. The next phase? A **statewide digital platform** that matches community needs with available resources—connecting donors, distributors, and nonprofits through real-time data.

She also dreams of expanding into **housing and workforce support**, sourcing larger materials like flooring and fixtures to help families achieve long-term stability. “If we want to support sustainable housing,” Jessica says, “we need to gather those other resources, too.”

### The Power of Community

Nine years in, Storehouse stands as proof that generosity scales best when powered by collaboration. Every shipment, volunteer hour, and saved dollar creates ripples of impact across Michigan.

Jessica’s favorite moments are the quiet ones—when she overhears other nonprofit leaders talking about Storehouse’s impact without realizing she’s in the room. “That’s when it really hits,” she says. “We’re making a difference out there.”

Her message, and Storehouse’s philosophy, is simple but profound: *If we lean in and work together, our collective impact will always be greater than what we can do alone.*

To learn more, visit **[storehousemi.org](https://storehousemi.org)** or follow Storehouse for Community Resources on **LinkedIn** and **Facebook**. And to hear Jessica’s full conversation with Paul J. Schmidt, check out the *Mission Control* podcast—where stories like hers remind us that every act of giving begins with connection.