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These are the most flexible and far-reaching funds at C3F. Designed to exist in perpetuity, the Community Endowment Fund provides long-term charitable support through direction from our board and our annual Community Priorities grant cycle to help communities across Charlevoix County become stronger, healthier, more vibrant, and ready for whatever needs and opportunities will exist years from now. Anyone can give to the Community Endowment, where gifts combine with other community funds to grow and make grants, annually, now and far into the future.

These funds support greater access to arts and cultural experiences in Charlevoix County. Awards are presented to nonprofit organizations through an annual grant process in the spring. These funds aim to provide opportunities in Charlevoix County for enrichment, specifically for the public to enjoy or participate in arts, music, dance, theater, history, cultural programs, and more.

Established through an estate gift from Ethel Coeling in 2002, these funds are open to all donors who care about the natural resources in Charlevoix County. These impactful funds have been able to protect, preserve, restore, and improve precious environmental assets through annual grants, awarded each spring, for a wide variety of projects. Designed to last in perpetuity, these funds will protect our environment for generations come.

Established in 1994 with funds from the Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation, the Health Funds support efforts to improve the health and well being of Charlevoix County residents. Today donations from many individuals and businesses join together to support the growth of these funds.

This fund helps to provide basic needs like food, clothing, heat, and housing to everyone in Charlevoix County, and can be put to use quickly and flexibly. Although the Community Foundation is based on the principle of endowment - long-term growth to make a difference over time - the Urgent Needs Fund is not endowed. The Fund is used each year to help nonprofit partners serve neighbors in need, but it can also be put to use in response to urgent, unexpected, or catastrophic events that impact Charlevoix County. 

The Youth Fund was established to benefit youth focused projects within Charlevoix County with direction from the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). The YAC is made up of area teens who represent other young people when considering grant requests from local nonprofit organizations, schools, and municipalities. Grants from these funds are awarded every year in the fall.

Not many community foundations in Michigan have the privilege – and challenge – of serving an island. Thanks to vital nonprofit organizations and community volunteers on Beaver Island, the Community Foundation actively supports the quality of life on the Island through grants every year in the fall.

Each individual community within Charlevoix County has unique needs and opportunities. The Boyne City Enrichment Funds have the flexibility to support organizations, programs, and projects that are located in the Boyne City area and/or serve the Boyne area communities. Grants are awarded every year in the fall.

Each individual community within Charlevoix County has unique needs and opportunities. The Charlevoix Enrichment Funds have the flexibility to support organizations, programs, and projects that stay in the Charlevoix area and/or serve the Charlevoix community. Grants are awarded every year in the fall.

Each individual community within Charlevoix County has unique needs and opportunities. The East Jordan Enrichment Funds have the flexibility to support organizations, programs, and projects that stay in the East Jordan area and/or serve the East Jordan community. Grants are awarded every year in the fall.

Endowments for Student Success can be enriched or established to support students by removing barriers to learning, providing enrichment opportunities, and encouraging students to become successful community citizens. There is a fund for every city in Charlevoix County including Beaver Island, Boyne City, Boyne Falls, Charlevoix and East Jordan. 

Scholarship Funds help local students meet their academic and vocational goals in the name of the donors who established the funds. Thanks to our generous donors, we are pleased to offer more than 100 scholarships every year to graduating high school students, with a few available to those continuing in post-secondary programs.

The Charlevoix County Communtiy Foundation is home to over 375 different funds, all with the focus of making a difference for the people of Charlevoix County. Anyone can make a donation to any of these funds. We can even help you start your own named fund to leave a legacy to this community we all love.