Geographic Enrichment Grants Awarded

The Community Foundation responded to requests from nonprofit partners in four geographic areas in Charlevoix County in October. Thanks to donors who look to the Community Foundation to make a difference close to home, grants have been awarded to nonprofits who will work to improve the quality of life on Beaver Island, in Boyne City, Charlevoix and East Jordan. In all, over $93,000 was awarded during the Geographic Enrichment cycle.

On Beaver Island, grants will help the Beaver Island Historical Society to replace the flooring of the Print Shop Museum; the Baroque on Beaver Festival will work on rebranding and redesigning their website, and the Dorothy Gerber Strings Program will again be available to Beaver Island students.

In Boyne City, the City of Boyne City will be installing wayfinding signage along the new bike trail that runs from Boyne City to Boyne Falls, and an important children’s bereavement program will be available to Boyne City students through the McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation.

Charlevoix will feel a focus on its rich history; the Charlevoix Historical Society will archive a large donation of historic documents, photos, slides and more, and the City of Charlevoix will work with them to also install new signage designating the Earl Young Historic District, making it easier for visitors to find their way around. The Charlevoix Circle of Arts will make an important improvement to their facility.

East Jordan will see a new childcare center open, called Training Wheels Childcare Center. This program will provide much needed childcare to support working parents. East Jordan Public Schools will embark on a vape sensor pilot program and they will also provide more outdoor learning experiences for students, including snowshoeing and more classes being held outdoors. The City of East Jordan will continue improving City parks, including those along the waterfront. Click here for a complete list of grants made through the Geographic Enrichment cycle.

A charitable organization dedicated to improving and enriching life in the area, the Charlevoix County Community Foundation accepts gifts from individuals, families, businesses and civic groups and manages them as permanent endowments. While a portion of the funds are utilized to support grantmaking, the principal of the endowment continues to grow, providing ongoing charitable capital to benefit Charlevoix County’s residents—now and in the future.

The next grant cycle will focus on Environment, Land Use, and Recreation projects. Applications will become available in December and will be due by Monday, February 1, 2021. The Community Foundation welcomes inquiries about applying for grants anytime by emailing Ashley Cousens. More information about each grant cycle can be found on the “Apply for a Grant” page.