This permanent endowment aims to celebrate and preserve the legacy of 13-year-old Jakob Bowerman, who tragically passed away in September after a drowning incident in Menominee. His passing deeply affected the Marinette and Menominee communities, who came together in profound grief, support and compassion for his family.

The fund was created collaboratively by Bowerman’s mother, Taylor Singer, and family friend Melissa Barber, both determined to ensure his generous spirit and joyful presence continue to impact local students for generations.

The initial endowment was made possible thanks to an extraordinary outpouring of community support at a fundraiser hosted by Culver’s of Marinette, where more than $10,000 was raised in Bowerman’s honor.

Singer shared the inspiration behind creating the fund, “What inspired me was that I want Jakob’s name to be known for generations to come. I don’t want him to be forgotten. I want his gentle, kind soul to be remembered forever.”

Jakob Bowerman

She remembers Bowerman as a child who radiated warmth to everyone around him. “I would describe Jakob as a kid with the biggest heart. He was nice to everyone. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body. He had the most contagious laugh ever‚ his belly laugh was my favorite‚” she said.

Community support has been a source of comfort during her family’s unimaginable loss.

“Seeing the community come together was so heartwarming. So many people that didn’t know him showed their love and humanity — something this world needs more of,” Singer added.

The Jakob Bowerman Memorial Scholarship Fund will award annual scholarships to high school students from Marinette and Menominee counties who have a diagnosed special need, with priority given to students with autism — a cause deeply meaningful to his family.

This endowed fund will exist in perpetuity, transforming grief into opportunity and ensuring his legacy lives on through the success of others.

“I would tell families to think of all the good times, and not what happened. If you think about what happened, you will become more depressed and angry. When I think of Jakob, I think of all the fun memories and vacations we took,” Singer said.

Executive Director of the M&M Area Community Foundation Ashley Berken shared a personal reflection on his kindness, “Jakob was one of the first students in Marinette Elementary School to befriend my own son when he was new to the school in fourth grade. My son felt welcome from the very start because of Jakob’s kind heart. His warmth and openness made a meaningful difference in our family’s life, just as this scholarship will make a difference for students for years to come. We are deeply honored to help steward Jakob’s legacy.”

Donations to the Jakob Bowerman Memorial Scholarship Fund may be made online at www.mmacf.org/donate or mailed to: M&M Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 718, Menominee, MI 49858. Please note “Jakob Bowerman Memorial Scholarship Fund” in the memo line.