What's New

urgent needs - fulfilled by our donors

We're excited to announce that in 2023, we made 13 Urgent Needs grants to area nonprofits in 2023 totaling $83,447, helping them to provide basic needs like food, clothing, heat, housing, healthcare, and emergency services for our Charlevoix County neighbors in need.

Our heroic first responders got much needed equipment and services, allowing them to better carry out their jobs. Beaver Island EMS purchased a triage kit and wireless headsets, which are improving emergency medical care and response for Beaver Island residents. St. James Township used funds to implement an emergency training exercise last spring, hosted by the Charlevoix County Sheriff Department with support from 10 other local, state, and federal agencies (including the US Coast Guard) to better prepare for emergencies in their remote community. Because emergency services providers have very stressful jobs, BASES provided first responders with acute crisis counseling to lower their trauma response, reduce their long-term stress, and increase their job retention. Resort Bear Creek Fire Department (serving Bay Shore to connect to Charlevoix County) was able to purchase two new AEDs and one new piece of radio communications equipment, which will significantly improve their ability to respond to cardiac incidents, improve communications between responders, and increase the chances of survival for those affected.

Food insecurity is still a major issue in Northern Michigan, and Urgent Needs grants addressed this in several ways. A grant to Manna Food Project helped to fund their Food 4 Kids backpack program, which delivered 21,000 backpacks full of nutritional food to kids throughout Charlevoix County last year. The Health Department of Northwest Michigan used grant funds to inform Charlevoix County SNAP participants about using SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks at local farmers markets, which increased access to local healthy foods for recipients of food assistance benefits. Grant funds also helped Good Neighbors Food Pantry to purchase a new trailer with a braking system to stock their Boyne City food pantry shelves each week. The Northmen Den Youth Pantries (NDYP) provided access to 360 students at Round Lake Education Center with a reliable source of supplemental, high-quality food for disadvantaged middle and high school youth and their families through their mini grocery store pantry located at the school.

Health and human services organizations also got a boost this past year. The Serenity House - Alano Club of Charlevoix, which serves people of all ages who struggle with addictions, was able to purchase a new AED unit and provide training for volunteers and program participants, to help their clients in an emergency. Grant funds to Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan provided assistance for foster and adoptive children and families as they arose, helping them to maintain or access food, shelter, safety, healthcare, mental health services, transportation, and more. Boyne City Middle School (BCMS) received support for the Winter Outwear Assistance Program to provide warm outwear for students and families in need this winter. The Salvation Army of Petoskey got support for their Emergency Financial Assistance Program to provide aid for individuals or families experiencing a financial crisis by helping with heat, electricity, water, shelter, and other basic needs. A grant to Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan for their Family Support Program provided food, lodging, and transportation to Charlevoix County families experiencing a health emergency.

Thank you to our dedicated Urgent Needs Fund donors who make these grants possible. To make a donation to the Urgent Needs Fund CLICK HERE.

 

MEET jim lentz

The Charlevoix County Community Foundation is kicking off 2024 by welcoming three new individuals to the Board of Trustees; Jim Lentz, Tom Teske, and Dr. Anna Young.

Jim Lentz has called Charlevoix home for the last 25 years, after relocating here from metro Detroit in 1999. As a Business Accountant for 33 years, Jim has helped to shape the success of many of our area companies. He served 13 years as the Director of Management Accounting at ALP Lighting-LexaLite, 5 years with ACAT Global, and is now the Controller for Kilwins. Working with area youth has been a big part of his life, coaching many youth sports with a special focus on baseball and softball. He was a Board Member of the Charlevoix Little League for 14 years serving in multiple roles and serves on the Finance Council of the St. Mary Parish in Charlevoix. Jim and his wife Diana, a nurse at Charlevoix Hospital, have been married for 31 years and they have three children, Ben, Grace, and Mary. Ben served on the C3F Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) from 2016-2020. Jim shared, "I was honored to be asked to join the Community Foundation as a trustee. My son's experience as a YAC member was extremely rewarding for him. I am looking forward to joining the Trustee team and giving back to this wonderful community that my family calls home."

 

 

come join our team!

Come and work with the best team in Charlevoix County! We're hiring an Administrative Assistant. Watch our website for the full job description, and think about if joining our team could be the right move for you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What will your legacy be?

Our Legacy Society members are people who care about our community and included C3F in their Will, trust, or IRA in ore to leave a legacy that will benefit area nonprofits forever. Learn how you can join them today

 

 

 LEGACY DONOR STORIES

WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE?

 

 

 

 

 

Community Priorities grants now open

We are accepting Community Priorities grant applications until 11:59pm on May 1, 2024. This cycle responds to a wide variety of needs in Charlevoix County and the organizations that make that work possible. Schedule a grant call with Ashley Cousens to get started.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

grant info session

Want to learn more about how to apply for a 2024 C3F Grant but weren't able to participate in our February 6th Zoom session? Follow the link below to watch the one-hour presentation that includes information about how to apply for grants and presents any changes or updates to the grantmaking program.

CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

join the conversation on instagram

Stay up-to-date with all the latest news and information about C3F and our programs by joining us on our Instagram Page! Just seach for us at CharlevoixC3F or follow this link.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

grants in action - Good Neighbors food pantry of Boyne City 

Good Neighbors Food Pantry has been using a trailer (loaned to them each week by a friend of the pantry) to pick up the weekly 1,800 pounds of food from Manna Food Project in Harbor Springs, to stock the pantry in Boyne City. This trailer was old and in need of major repairs to make it safe for volunteer drivers. Grant funds helped Good Neighbors Food Pantry to purchase a new trailer with a braking system, which will provide the pantry with many years of reliable service.

 

grants in action - the honor star

Students from East Jordan and Boyne City designed and created a ten-foot stainless steel star in honor of local veterans through an artist in residence program hosted by the Jordan River Arts Council. With help from a Geographic Enrichment grant, JRAC hired Ann Gildner, an artist from the Industrial Arts Institute, to work with East Jordan High School welding students to design and build a sculpture for the Jordan Art Walk. Students brainstormed the words to be included on the star, which describe what it means to be a person in service to our country. A strong partnership emerged between JRAC, EJPS, Dave Muladore's welding class, and the American Legion through this work. The sculpture is now in a place of honor in the newly redesigned American Legion Veterans/ GAR Park on Main Street and is a permanent addition to the Jordan Art Walk.

 

GRANTS IN ACTION - Raven Hill discovery center - Smithsonian spark! Places of innovation exhibit

A recent Arts & Culture grant helped bring students out to Raven Hill Discovery Center for field trips to see the Smithsonian Spark! Places of Innovation exhibit while it was here, from August to early October 2023, showcasing innovations in rural areas. Cheri Leach also talked to students about some of the innovations at Raven Hill, like the magnet table, the energy bike, and the periodic table of elements. Connecting science, history, and art during a recent field trip, Cheri led 4th graders from Boyne City (pictured) through a couple of rooms and then everyone spent some time exploring the hands-on features of the Spark! exhibit. Students were connecting what they learned at Raven Hill with what they were learning in their science classes at school and had fun doing it! The Smithsonian exhibit may have moved on, but there's always lots to see and learn at Raven Hill any time of year. 

 

 

 

grants in action - seed to salad program at EJPS

Last year, an East Jordan Geographic Enrichment Grant to EJPS made a huge difference for the school's outdoor garden program "Seed to Salad". 

With the support of a C3F grant, lots of donors and the help of the Shoe Club and the community, the Seed to Salad program installed a new hoop house and revitalized an indoor growing area. They purchased growing racks and lights for the indoor space and renovated the windows to provide light for plants. Students’ lives are being enriched through these additions – they are able to continue their hands on learning by growing plants year-round.

 

Youth Needs Grant success story - Boyne District Library

The C3F Youth Advisory Committee supported the Boyne District Library with funding to host “Family Dinner Book Club Nights” every Tuesday in March 2023. Families could join Ms. Mary for a delicious meal, reading of a children’s book, casual discussion, and activities for kiddos - all free of charge. By listening to the book reader, the children learned about how they can cope with their "worries" and "whatifs". Then they created a friendly looking "worry friend" out of yarn during craft time to help share their feelings when they can't quit find their words. The YAC were excited to see this grant come to fruition and to highlight youth mental health for young people and their families. Worries don't seem so big when you are able to share them with others.
 

 

Legacy society 2023 EVENT PHOTO gallery

Thank you to all of the members of our Legacy Society who came out to our Legacy Society Event at The Historic Train Depot and Heritage Gardens in Charlevoix on August 24th . The Legacy Society is a group of supporters who have made a committemnt to making a difference in Charlevoix County long after they are gone, by including C3F in thier estate plan or will. Are you intersted in learning how to become a member? Or have you included C3F in your will and want to let us know? Contact Sara Ward for more information.

 

 

YAC Meeting PHoto gallery

"The energy and passion for change the YAC members bring to the table is contagious. You can’t help but feel inspired when you watch them lead and grow. We kicked off the YAC year with a day full of activities focused on teambuilding, communication, and belonging. They have a strong foundation so keep your eye on this group!"  --- Megan Havrilla DeHoog

 

 

Meet Your C3f event photo gallery

Thank you to everyone who came out to our Meet Your C3F event at Veterans Park Pavilion on August 3rd . A great time was had by all! Congratulations to the Boyne City Public School's Early Learners program who won our drawing for a $500 grant.
*Photos by Kim Mettler, Michigan Barefoot Memories Photography