About the Four Friends Grant Fund
Established by MCA as a permanent endowment, the Four Friends Grant Fund generates income to support occasional, one-time grant requests that fall outside the timeline or scope of MCA’s annual Cultural Grant awards.
The fund honors the leadership legacy of four remarkable community leaders: Jim Copeland, Mack Dunwoody, E.L. Foster, and a fourth friend who wished to remain anonymous. Through their care, vision, words, and deeds, these friends helped shape Ocala and Marion County across many institutions and generations.
Known for their generosity and willingness to support worthy causes, E.L., Jim, and Mack were affectionately nicknamed “the Three Musketeers” for their reputation of coming to the rescue when the community needed them most—including in the early days of what would become Marion Cultural Alliance.
Together, the Four Friends represent a powerful example of civic leadership, open-minded support for new ideas, and a shared commitment to improving quality of life in our community.
The Four Friends Grant Fund was launched in 2019. Requests of up to $1,500 may be submitted online at any time.
Grant Application Process
I am so grateful to be a recipient of the Four Friends Grant Fund from the Marion Cultural Alliance. This support will help me tremendously as an artist and allow me to develop future projects I put on hold because of limited means and the need to prioritize other life essentials. For me as an individual artist, this is both a great help and a real push forward.
– NERY
I am also excited to give back to the community, because it is something I am deeply passionate about. I would love more opportunities to work with children, teens, and adults in Marion County, sharing my passion for the arts and perhaps awakening theirs. Everyone is an artist at heart, but sometimes we need the right person and the right moment to discover it. I want to be that facilitator because I truly believe everybody has an artist inside waiting to be discovered.
Thanks again for believing in me.
In honor of the Leadership Legacy of Jim Copeland, Mack Dunwoody, E.L. Foster and an Anonymous Friend
Make a donation in honor someone who was always there for you,
just like the four friends were there for us and our community.
Are You a Recipient of a Four Friends Grant?
MCA requests that you use this logo to acknowledge our support.
Please include it in your programs and/or signage.
Right Click the MCA Supported Logo above to save the image.