Opportunities for Donor Impact
Opportunities for DONOR impact
Wow, this is officially our largest Geographic Enrichment grant cycle to date! We’ve got 33 requests, totaling nearly $540,000 for you to choose from! There certainly seems to be a lot of need in our communities of Boyne City, Beaver Island, Charlevoix, and East Jordan this year. We also have a few proposals that address needs in multiple communities as well as a few that address the basic and urgent needs of our most vulnerable neighbors.
To view the requests, simply click on the headings below. You will see a brief summary of each request, along with the request amount and/or any remaining needs. Be sure to click into each heading to see the full list of requests. We will be updating this page each time someone contributes to a request, so that you are always seeing the most current information.
To recommend a grant from your Donor Advised Fund, please email Ashley Cousens anytime this month, and no later than October 31st. If you’d like to support any requests prior to the grant advisory committee meetings, please email Ashley by October 18th. Another email will be sent to you on October 22nd, along with an update to this webpage, sharing any remaining needs.
The Fund Advisor Portal isn't used for this co-funding opportunity, (though it may be helpful to check your grantmaking balance!) Donor Advised grants are listed as anonymous when made through the grant cycles (like this one). If you would like your grant to be named (not anonymous), please specify that in your email, along with the organization, project, and amount you'd like to grant from your fund.
If you are inspired to contribute to any of these requests, please email Ashley no later than October 31, 2026.
Reach out to Ashley anytime with questions at 231-536-2440.
Thank you for your partnership in philanthropy! Your support is making a difference, right here at home.
PS: If none of these projects strike your fancy, feel free to check out our Pick a Project Grant Catalog, which is open to the public for donations of any size to a variety of nonprofits doing good work in Charlevoix County. If you have questions about the grant catalog, please contact Megan Havrilla DeHoog in our office.
- Beaver Island
Beaver Island Community Center Request: $15,000
WVBI, the community radio service of the Beaver Island Community Center, is the Island’s central communication lifeline and the only local communication service that provides over-the-air access to the entire community. WVBI has experienced steady, measurable growth and has evolved into a respected, full-power, non-commercial, educational voice with rising listenership on island and through online streaming. Grant funds will help WVBI expand into additional space within the Community Center.
Beaver Island Historical Society Request: $10,703
Much of Beaver Island’s history—including stories of commercial fishing, maritime traditions, Native American heritage, Irish settlement, military service, family life, and the experiences of longtime island residents—exists in personal memories that have never been formally recorded or preserved for future generations. Grant funds will support the "Voices Across the Water" initiative, helping BIHS build their capacity to conduct professional-quality oral history interviews and create a permanent digital archive.
Beaver Island Irish Heritage Group Request: $5,000
As the BI Irish Heritage Group matures, they are increasingly recognized for curating programming that is authentically Irish. This growing role creates a need to understand the responsibilities, partnerships, funding opportunities, and best practices involved in serving as a trusted steward of Irish culture. Grant funds will support sending board and staff members to the Association of Irish & Celtic Festivals conference in May for professional development and networking.
Beaver Island Performing Arts Alliance Request: $10,000
As their loyal audience ages, BIPAA faces the general challenge of recruiting new people and the specific challenge of attracting a younger audience. Grant funds will support a family concert and instrument “petting zoo”, designed as an opportunity for children to approach, touch, and learn about the musical instruments.
Beaver Island Rural Health Center Request: $2,500
Maintaining medical equipment calibration is critical for both patient safety and regulatory adherence. It's also expensive and challenging to schedule and track, especially for isolated locations, like the BIRHC. Grant funds will support the BIRHC's efforts to streamline calibration schedules amongst all their equipment and consolidate calibrations into one or two annual on-site events.
Little Traverse Conservancy Request: $20,000
Adam Kendall and Kate Leese moved to Beaver Island with a vision of creating a place that would bring people together. They transformed a quiet field into Antho Vineyards, creating a vineyard, winery, and gathering place. Conserving the property not only honors their vision but will also help to protect wetland and wildlife on the Island. Grant funds will help LTC protect 120 acres, the former site of Antho Vineyards, as the Adam Kendall and Kate Leese Nature Preserve.
Patrons of the Arts in Rural Communities Request: $10,000
PARC's signature event, Beaver Island Music Festival, brings hundreds of people to Beaver Island each July. Musicians, bands, and visitors need transportation from the ferry and airports to the festival venue. Grant funds will support the purchase a passenger van, which will also be shared amongst other Island nonprofits for various events and festivals.
Tunes Music Makers Request: $12,000
In November 2025, TUNES opened the TUNES Studio on Main Street, Beaver Island’s first dedicated music education space. The Studio gives students a consistent place to receive instruction, rehearse, practice independently, collaborate, and access instruments and equipment. Grant funds will support annual costs of operating the studio, including rent, utilities, internet, facility upkeep, safety needs, and a portion of staff time.
- Boyne City
Boyne Area Free Clinic Request: $15,000 Remaining Need: $13,000
The Boyne Area Free Clinic and Good Neighbors Food Pantry share a building in Boyne City and collectively serve hundreds of people each week, providing critical medical care and nutritious food for those in need. The building needs serious repairs, including repairing the HVAC system, and upgrading windows, doors, flooring, and making the facility more accessible. While they have requested $15,000, the true need remains much higher. Grant funds will support building renovations to help sustain this critical resource for the community.
Boyne Eta Nu Charities Request: $3,000
To address the need for youth to have proper clothing, the Boyne City Middle School Winter Gear project arranges a shopping trip to Boyne Country Sports for eighth-grade girls in need, including a free lunch at BC Pizza. Additional outerwear, and snacks for students facing food insecurity, will also be available at the school’s counseling office. Grant funds will help to purchase winter clothing.
Boyne Valley Pantry Request: $2,000 Remaining Need: $0
Due to an increase in clients coming through the Boyne Valley Pantry in Boyne Falls, the organization seeks support to meet the higher needs. The increased demand combined with the increased cost of food has been challenging this year. Grant funds will support purchasing food for the pantry to give out to neighbors in need for the remainder of this year.
Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity Request: $40,000
The housing crisis across Charlevoix County is well-documented and severe. To address this crisis, NMHFH is constructing two new, affordable homes on N. Park Ave in Boyne City. For the families who will purchase these homes, this is the path to permanent, affordable homeownership in the communities where they live and work. Grant funds will help to complete the construction of the homes.
- Charlevoix
Charlevoix Circle of Arts Request: $7,500
Charlevoix Circle of Arts is seeking support for “My Favorite Book Title,” a community art exhibition celebrating the connection between visual art and literature. The exhibition will invite regional artists to create original works inspired by the title of a favorite book. The art will be displayed alongside the book that inspired it, emphasizing the connection between the written word and an artist’s creative interpretation. Grant funds will support the exhibition.
Charlevoix Historical Society Request: $10,000
Heritage Garden at the historic Train Depot in Charlevoix contains a pergola, which is an extremely popular feature in the garden for weddings, events, photo shoots and speaker placement for presentations during events, all of which occur often. The Garden celebrated 25 years this year, and age is taking its toll on the pergola. Grant funds will support rebuilding the top of the structure.
Lake Charlevoix Mariners/Sail Charlevoix Request: $20,000
Each summer, Sail Charlevoix introduces participants to sailing while building confidence, independence, teamwork, leadership, and lifelong comfort on the water. Depot Beach has long been home to Sail Charlevoix, but as the program has grown, the site’s infrastructure has become increasingly limited. Grant funds will support the construction and installation of two new floating docks at Ferry Beach and related project infrastructure to move the program there.
- East Jordan
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan, Inc. Request: $8,568 Remaining Need: 7,568
Bigs creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth and currently serves six children in East Jordan. The Charlevoix County Senior Mentoring Specialist has spent the past year cultivating relationships with schools, families, community partners, and local leaders to identify at least 10 more EJ Elementary students who could benefit. Grant funds will support recruiting, screening, training, and matching 10 new mentors.
City of East Jordan Request: $10,000
The City of East Jordan is proactively installing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at four high-use public facilities: City Hall, East Jordan City Marina, East Jordan Tourist Park Campground, and Community Park. Cardiac arrests can occur without warning and can affect people of all ages, and these facilities collectively serve thousands of residents and visitors each year. Grant funds will help to purchase and install the AEDs.
City of East Jordan Request: $11,000
Over the years, the city has made necessary improvements to City Hall to maintain its functionality; however, once the general fund has covered costs for police, fire, parks, streets, staffing, and public services, remaining funding for technology is quite limited, even though community demand for technology is higher than ever. The City needs upgraded technology to better communicate, collaborate, and engage with residents, businesses, and developers. Grant funds will support upgrading tablets and adding a Smartboard device for presentations and virtual meetings.
Communities In Schools of Northwest Michigan Request: $50,000
CISNWMI partners with East Jordan Public Schools, serving more than 600 students in grades K–12, specifically students identified as academically at risk. Site Coordinators build trusted relationships with students and families and provide daily, school-based interventions addressing academic challenges, chronic absenteeism, behavior, social-service needs, and barriers at home. Grant funds will support two Site Coordinators at EJPS.
East Jordan Care & Share Program Request: $10,000
Laundry costs have increased and many people only have access to laundromats or coin-operated facilities, which makes the cost of laundry out of reach. To help everyone live in dignity, with access to food and essential needs like clean clothing and bedding, grant funds will support laundry vouchers for those in need.
East Jordan Public Schools Request: $34,000
Learning another language and traveling abroad broadens students’ worldview, puts them in the shoes of others, and situates them in one of the most effective and transformative contexts in which to learn. The EJPS trip to Panama for Spanish students will be the first time in their lives that many of the students will be traveling out of the country. International travel, while transformative, is expensive, so grant funds will help subsidize the travel expenses for EJPS students in need.
Jordan River Arts Council Request: $6,800
To fulfill its mission and ensure equitable access to the arts for all, JRAC must undertake a comprehensive redesign of the physical space to comply with ADA accessibility standards. The next phase of this project will provide the necessary information for engineers to complete the stamped plans. Grant funds will support a soil sample study, topographical study, and site design plans.
Raven Hill Discovery Center Request: $24,300
Raven Hill is improving the visitor experience by bringing greater clarity, consistency, and connection to their outdoor exhibits via upgraded signage on the Taxonomic and Connections Trails. Grant funds will support thoughtfully designed signage to guide exploration, reveal interdisciplinary connections, and engage learners of all ages.
The Depot Jordan Valley Teen Center Request: $5,283
As The Depot Teen Center has grown, so has their responsibility to provide a safe, welcoming, and appropriately equipped environment for the teens, families, volunteers, and community members. An investment in life-saving medical equipment as well as infrastructure to safely accommodate the growing number of teens participating in the programs is necessary to fulfill their mission. Grant funds will help the org to add an AED, tables, chairs, and picnic tables.
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Request: $24,185
The Watershed Council is seeking funding to maintain and enhance two recent water quality projects in East Jordan within the Lake Charlevoix Watershed: the shoreline restoration at the City’s Tourist Park and a rain garden at Mill Street Park. Grant funds will support the purchase of plants, mulch, signage, and edging needed to maintain and enhance both project sites.
Wagbo Peace Center Request: $6,484
Originally begun in the 1970’s, Wagbo’s tradition of producing maple syrup is well known in the region. The concrete floor inside the syrup production building has shifted, buckled, and become uneven, making it unsafe for people to carry out the tasks required during sap boiling and causing problems for the evaporation process. Grant funds will support replacing the building's concrete floor.
- Multiple Communities
Power Book Bags Request: $12,000
PoWer! Book Bags is partnering with the Health Department in Charlevoix and the satellite clinic in Boyne City, working with underserved children and families to distribute books to children ages 0-5 as families attend their scheduled visit or receive a home visit. Each book now comes with Book Play Prompts that offer developmental information and book specific activities to foster deeper engagement and promote language, literacy, and development. Grant funds will support the Little Learners Program in Boyne City and Charlevoix.
Top of Michigan Trails Council Request: $20,000
The Top of Michigan Trails Council and the Charlevoix County Trail Team are fundraising to complete the engineering design of the final 6 miles of the non-motorized Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail. While they have requested $20,000, the true fundraising goal is $290,000 for the engineering costs. Grant funds will support the engineering design to link Charlevoix and Boyne City via trail.
Power Book Bags Request: $12,000
When families struggle to feed their children, they do not have discretionary income to purchase enrichment materials for their children like books, writing supplies, and educational toys, which means that children who come from economically disadvantaged families do not have the same opportunities as their peers to read, write, create, and learn at home. Grant funds will help provide East Jordan and Beaver Island students with books and literacy materials.
Good Samaritan Family Services Request: $20,000
Good Samaritan Family Services recently purchased the building their furniture store is housed in, which represents a vital source of revenue for the organization's mission, helping to fund the food pantry and client services. The building is in need of some dire upkeep, the costs of which are straining this year's budget, even though the purchase is helping to build capacity for the org in the long run. At the same time, they are experiencing increased needs in the community, with many new families seeking support for the first time. Grant funds will support client services such as providing food, clothing, home necessities, baby goods, and utility assistance for Charlevoix County folks.
Shoe Club Nation Request: $10,000
Serving about 80 students between East Jordan and Boyne City Middle Schools, Shoe Club Nation is piloting the second year of the program. By helping students connect self-worth with responsibility, courage, resilience, empathy, and service, “The Valuable Leader” curriculum lays the groundwork to not only navigate middle school, but also to lead with purpose and contribute positively to their schools and communities. Grant funds will help Shoe Club Nation develop and produce the second year curriculum for use in Boyne City and East Jordan.
Little Traverse Conservancy Request: $27,000
LTC has an opportunity to protect 110 acres in Marion Township, a rare, large parcel close to East Jordan and Charlevoix, which has historically been open to the public and available for hunting. The landscape includes open fields, wetlands, over half a mile on Marion Creek, and rich conifer swamp, providing varied habitat for wildlife and opportunities for hunting, including grouse, turkey, and deer. Grant funds will support protecting the property and preserving these ecological values while maintaining public access and recreation.