Opportunities for Donor Impact
Opportunities for DONOR impact
We are excited to share requests from nonprofit partners serving Charlevoix County and to connect you to this important work. This month, we are responding to needs through our Environment & Land Use grant cycle as well as our Arts & Culture grant cycle. There are also a couple of Urgent Needs and Mini Grants to review this time as well. We invite you to review the summaries below to see if any of this work aligns with your philanthropic goals.
The 10 Environment and Land Use proposals include efforts to restore natural flow to rivers in Charlevoix County, erosion and shoreline management efforts, trail improvements, and some education and arts opportunities with environmental goals/outcomes.
The 21 Arts & Culture proposals include music and dance performances, arts exhibits and programming for all ages, and a couple of opportunities to bring big name performers and performances to our small corner of the world.
The 2 Mini Grant requests each have need beyond the $1,500 limit of what they can request for a Mini Grant, but the timing of their need precludes them from waiting for another grant cycle where they might have been able to request more. If either of these projects appeals to you, please feel free to support at any level.
If you are inspired to contribute to any of these requests, please email Ashley Cousens (acousens@c3f.org) no later than March 27th. The Fund Advisor Portal isn't used for this co-funding opportunity, (though it may be helpful to check your grantmaking balance!)
This webpage will be updated regularly, as support from donors and committees comes in. Visiting this site is the best way to see if the request you'd like to support still has remaining need.
The Grant Advisory Committees for both grant cycles meet March 17th and 20th. If you would like to contribute funds ahead of their meetings, please email Ashley by March 16th. She will reach out again on March 20th with any remaining needs after the committees have done their review and fund allocation processes.
As a general reminder, Donor Advised grants are listed as anonymous when made through the grant cycles (like these). 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.
We hope you enjoy learning more about what our partner organizations are doing to improve the quality of life in our community. Thank you for your partnership in helping to meet these community needs.
- Arts & Culture
ART
Beaver Island Community Center Request: $6,960
The Senior Art Program is designed to meet the unique needs of older adults by offering accessible, therapeutic, and socially engaging arts experiences. Each month, participants will explore a variety of artistic mediums; including painting, drawing, clay, and mixed media projects, through guided instruction that encourages creativity, confidence, and personal expression. These sessions also serve as an important source of social connection, reducing isolation and fostering a sense of belonging among seniors. Grant funds will support the purchase of materials for the art sessions.
Boyne Arts Collective Request: $5,000
In 2026, the Boyne Arts Center will relocate to a new street-level downtown space, with the goal of opening before summer. The new location includes a dedicated classroom with natural light, a sink, and an improved footprint, allowing for flexible layouts that accommodate different ages, abilities, and art forms. Feedback from previous offerings shows a clear need for beginner-level visual arts instruction specifically designed for adults. Grant funds will support a series of four-week introductory adult classes in Alcohol Ink, Acrylics, Pastels, Watercolor, Drawing, and Gouache, taught by regional instructors.
Boyne City Church of the Nazarene Request: $18,500
The Church of the Nazarene recently welcomed a new pastor, Bill Gartung, and his wife, Teresa, who bring fresh ideas to more fully integrate the church with the larger community. They're introducing Boyne Naz Craft Studios, which will provide instruction at all levels for woodworking, hot glass, and painting, among other crafts. Grant funds will support storage space and woodworking equipment needs as well as other art/craft supplies to start up the program.
Charlevoix Circle of Arts Request: $8,500 Remaining Need: $6,000
Last spring's ice storm caused millions of dollars in damage and permanently altered the region’s landscape. The storm represented more than physical destruction—it was a shared experience of disruption, grief, and resilience. While infrastructure is rebuilt and debris cleared, the emotional and cultural impact of such events often goes unaddressed. To address the need for spaces that allow communities to reflect, process, and preserve collective memory, grant funding will support direct program expenses for “Heart of a Tree, Soul of a Storm,” a juried art exhibit this fall, which ensures that a defining environmental event in our region’s recent history is documented and interpreted through the lens of local artists.
Jordan River Arts Council Request: $18,000
JRAC is working to address accessibility barriers within its historic Carnegie Library facility in downtown East Jordan. While JRAC's mission is rooted in inclusivity and access for all, the current building does not meet ADA accessibility standards. To fulfill its mission and ensure equitable access to the arts for all, JRAC must undertake a comprehensive redesign of the physical space. Grant funding will support the development of a professional architectural concept plan, engineering services, and stamped building architectural blueprints.
Raven Hill Discovery Center Request: $9,800
Raven Hill Discovery Center is seeking funding to pilot a series of interdisciplinary-themed tours that will explore topics such as Art Across the Ages, Blurred Boundaries, Geologic Time, and Earth Systems. These "Threads Interwoven" tours are designed to connect art, history, and science through storytelling, guided exploration, and hands-on learning. Grant funds will support specific arts and culture and environment themed tours for people of all ages in Charlevoix County.
SeedKeepers Request: $5,000
SeedKeepers seeks to utilize the arts as a means to encourage environmental awareness and conservation. Their Beaver Island Artist-in-Residence Program offers artists/naturalists a 10-12 day immersion on "Apple Blossom Farm," a 40 Acre regenerative farm and nature preserve located near the village of St. James. Professional artists are recruited to depict their stay on the island and then share their works and experiences with the public. Grant funds will support transportation and program costs for the artist residency.
Wagbo Peace Center Request: $3,400
Wagbo had a successful year offering programs and events that resonated with the community in 2025, and they are excited to keep the momentum going this year. In 2026, Wagbo plans to increase the number of stand-alone events and workshops and continue offering monthly Full Moon Feasts (potluck and program), with topics focused on cultural discussions (relating to Peace and Justice) and arts intersecting with wellness. Grant funds will support hiring presenters and promoting several arts and culture events.
Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy Request: $2,500
WLAC believes that they can use the power of art and storytelling to inspire action that empowers their organization to protect and preserve Walloon Lake and its watershed. The new Artist-in-Residence Pilot Program invites artists to live and work within the Walloon Lake landscape, using art as a powerful medium to interpret, document, and inspire stewardship of our extraordinary freshwater ecosystem. Grant funds will support the new Artist-in-Residence Pilot Program.
DANCE
Crooked Tree Arts Center Request: $8,000
Rural communities in the Little Traverse Bay region have limited opportunities to experience nationally significant modern dance, engage with professional artistic mentorship, or participate in collaborative creative projects that connect local stories to broader American cultural history. CTAC’s tribute to the centennial of the Martha Graham Dance Company underscores the enduring power and relevance of Martha Graham’s vision. By weaving together live performances, educational outreach, community collaboration, and a gallery exhibition, this centenary celebration responds directly to three pressing community needs: expanded arts access, deeper arts education, and inclusive cultural participation. Grant funds will support production costs, educational and marketing materials, fall school tours, and more.
Traverse City Dance Project Request: $3,500
As the only professional dance company in the region, The Traverse City Dance Project aims to provide high-quality cultural and educational experiences for community members. The group plans to return to Charlevoix again this summer with a live, professional dance performance and free youth dance class prior to the performance. The performance will also feature live music by their musician collaborators, enhancing the overall experience for audience members. Grant funds will support bringing dancers and the youth class to Charlevoix.
CULTURE & History
Beaver Island Historical Society Request: $5,000
Commercial fishing is foundational to Beaver Island’s identity and to the broader maritime heritage of Charlevoix County. For generations, Native and multi-generational fishing families built livelihoods on Lake Michigan, shaping the Island’s economy, settlement patterns, and cultural traditions. The Beaver Island Marine Museum is the last remaining net shed in the Beaver Harbor and holds a growing collection of artifacts that document this history and run the risk of deterioration if they aren't properly cared for, stored, and displayed. The need, therefore, is for permanent, museum-grade exhibit infrastructure that protects artifacts while making them accessible and engaging for the public. Grant funds will support the design and fabrication of a custom-built exhibit case that provides enclosed, secure, and environmentally protective display space.
Beaver Island Irish Heritage Group Request: $7,000 Remaining Need: $4,500
The Emerald Isle Irish Feile (Festival) is working to bring the world-renowned traditional Irish ensemble Altan (based in Donegal, Ireland) to the festival in September. This small, community-driven event strives to celebrate Irish culture through music, dance, and fellowship. Hosting Altan, a group of exceptional international acclaim, would elevate the festival to new heights and offer attendees a truly unforgettable experience. Adding to the cultural significance of Altan's appearance, the lead singer of Altan, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, has a direct connection to Beaver Island through longstanding associations with County Donegal fiddling traditions. Grant funds will support bringing the ensemble to BI for this year's Feile.
Tara's Meadow Education & Retreat Center Request: $4,478
The resiliency of Beaver Island is dependent upon many things, but includes the acknowledgement, honoring, support, and continued engagement with its cultural roots. Tara’s Meadow will deepen its “Braiding Cultures” offerings this year with a full day of educational and celebratory events in June that honor both the Island’s Native American and Irish roots, including community conversations, storytelling, and music. Grant funds will support the participation of storytellers, speakers, and musicians.
The New People Foundation Request: $5,000
"The Seven Fires Prophecy: The Story of the Anishinaabe People in Michigan" is a small, free public-facing booklet that blends cultural storytelling with accessible anthropology/archaeology to help Michiganders understand Anishinaabe history—from deep time (circa 10,000 BCE) through first contact and the modern era. Centered on the Seven Fires Prophecy as the narrative spine, the booklet translates scholarly knowledge into a short, readable format for everyday residents, students, book clubs, and civic groups to deliberate over with the goal of expanding cultural literacy and elevating the living presence of Anishinaabe people and teachings as a foundational part of Michigan’s story. Grant funds will support design and production of the booklet.
MUSIC
City of Boyne City Request: $3,000
As the only year-round market in Northern Michigan, The Boyne City Farmers Market is committed to providing the community with an inclusive environment to gather, shop, and eat locally, all while enjoying the unique offerings of Northern Michigan and the beautiful setting along Lake Charlevoix. Each Wednesday and Saturday they provide patrons with music from 10 am until noon. Showcasing musicians from all areas of Michigan and beyond provides a more enjoyable experience for the customer, higher traffic for vendors, and creates a vibrant place for the community to gather. Grant funds will support the 2026 summer Farmers Market music.
Great Lakes Center for the Arts Request: $9,625
The Dorothy Gerber Strings Program (DGSP) provides string music instruction for youth throughout Charlevoix, Emmet, and Antrim Counties—an opportunity that otherwise would be unavailable due to a lack of resources for school orchestra programs. There is no fee for these classes; the only cost is renting an instrument for which scholarships are available. DGSP has grown exponentially in recent years, with approximately 370 students participating in the program during the 2025-26 school year, of whom approximately 35% are Charlevoix County students. Grant funds will support replacing and repairing instruments, purchasing sheet music, and will support scholarships for Charlevoix County students.
Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra Request: $7,000
GLCO seeks financial support for two powerful concerts in their 25th Anniversary Season: Violins of Hope (April 25) and Carnegie Homecoming (June 12). Violins of Hope features instruments that survived the Holocaust and were made playable again as symbols of resilience, hope, and the enduring power of music. Carnegie Homecoming will celebrate GLCO making its debut at Carnegie Hall, NYC and representing our region on one of the most prestigious stages in the world, by bringing that same program home to Northern Michigan to recognize and celebrate the community that made it possible. Grant funds will support both programs.
Northwoods Music Collaborative Request: $5,108
Northwoods Music Collaborative is teaming up with TUNES Music Makers on Beaver Island to provide four community music workshops and a community concert in August. Workshops will include fiddle, percussive dance, song, flute/whistle, and chord accompaniment. Grant funds will support paying musicians, costs associated with offering four workshops, and travel costs.
Patrons of the Arts in Rural Communities Request: $5,000
The cornerstone of PARC’s work is the Beaver Island Music Festival, a three-day, annual event featuring professional bands, drawing about 1,200 attendees each year, and which will celebrate its 24th year in 2026. The festival grounds include gravel paths, open fields, and sloped grassy areas, as well as parking at a distance from the venue space, presenting accessibility challenges for people with mobility issues. Grant funds will support the purchase of a golf cart and wheelchairs to improve venue accessibility.
Tunes Music Makers Request: $6,500
Traditional fiddle music is deeply connected to Beaver Island’s Irish heritage and Great Lakes cultural history. However, without intentional programming, young students have little structured access to this musical tradition. The Ruby John Elementary Fiddle Residency was created to address this gap by providing biweekly, group-based instruction for K–6 students throughout the academic year. Grant funds will support fiddle lessons for elementary students on BI.
- Environment & Land Use
Camp Daggett Request: $7,000 Remaining Need: $0
Each year, sand at the Camp Daggett beach area has to be replenished to maintain the modest beachfront area. To reduce erosion and protect the shoreline, grant funds will support Camp Daggett installing a stormwater retention basin and retaining wall.
Conservation Resource Alliance Request: $30,000
CRA's main program, River Care, fulfills their mission of promoting the wise use and management of northwest Michigan's most precious natural resource – our watersheds – which form the ecological and economic "lifeblood" of the region. The goal of River Care is the complete restoration and revitalization of watersheds by improving rural infrastructure and minimizing sedimentation. Grant funds will support replacing two undersized and erosive road-stream crossings on Marvon Creek with adequately sized concrete box culverts to allow full aquatic passage and natural stream flow.
Little Traverse Conservancy Request: $11,000
LTC maintains and manages over 100 nature preserves and working forest reserves totaling 5,517 acres in Charlevoix County. Maintenance includes reclaiming trails from overgrown vegetation, building or replacing boardwalks/footbridges, and managing erosion on existing trails and infrastructure. Grant funds will support improvements at the Rogers/Dressel/Jordan River Preserve Complex in East Jordan, The Hill Nature Preserve in Boyne City, Little Sand Bay Nature Preserve on Beaver Island, and the Nathan "Barry" Driggers Nature Preserve in Charlevoix.
The New People Foundation Request: $10,000
The New People Foundation is a new Charlevoix-based environmental nonprofit whose mission is to protect and restore Northern Michigan’s land and waters using the cutting edge of science, with a direct community-first approach. As potential high-impact development pressures accelerate, community capacity to detect, interpret, and respond to ecological risk is often too low and too late, resulting in projects (like data centers) with potentially irreversible consequences moving forward with limited public oversight, even when they threaten public health and local ecosystems. Grant funds will support The New People's conservation efforts and eco-literacy work in Charlevoix County including providing educational talks and materials, and conservation advocacy for the Lake Charlevoix Watershed.
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Request: $40,000
The Bear River watershed, linking Walloon Lake to Little Traverse Bay, faces significant challenges including aging and undersized road/stream crossings, erosion, stormwater inputs, and more. This led to the formation of the "Healing the Bear Initiative," a collaborative effort led by Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. One key priority is replacing degraded and undersized road/stream crossings, which impair water quality, restrict the passage of fish and other aquatic organisms, and fragment habitat. Grant funds will support replacing two such crossings in Charlevoix County on Chandler Hill Road over Springbrook Creek to restore aquatic connectivity in this important tributary.
Raven Hill Discovery Center Request: $9,800
RHDC is seeking funding to pilot a series of interdisciplinary-themed tours that will explore topics such as Art Across the Ages, Blurred Boundaries, Geologic Time, and Earth Systems. These "Threads Interwoven" tours are designed to connect art, history, and science through storytelling, guided exploration, and hands-on learning. Grant funds will support specific arts and culture and environment themed tours for people of all ages in Charlevoix County.
SeedKeepers Request: $5,000
SeedKeepers seeks to utilize the arts as a means to encourage environmental awareness and conservation. Their Beaver Island Artist-in-Residence Program offers artists/naturalists a 10-12 day immersion on "Apple Blossom Farm," a 40 Acre regenerative farm and nature preserve located near the village of St. James. Professional artists are recruited to depict their stay on the island and then share their works and experiences with the public. Grant funds will support transportation and program costs for the artist residency.
St. James Township Request: $9,000
St. James Township on Beaver Island and the Little Traverse Conservancy are collaborating to create a shared management plan, police ordinance, and monitoring features to protect, preserve, and provide education about two unique natural areas that have been negatively impacted by inappropriate use - Gull Harbor Nature Area and the adjacent Stanhope Nature Preserve. Grant funds will support a coordinated management plan, public educational materials, and security cameras.
Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy Request: $2,500
WLAC believes that they can use the power of art and storytelling to inspire action that empowers their organization to protect and preserve Walloon Lake and its watershed. The new Artist-in-Residence Pilot Program invites artists to live and work within the Walloon Lake landscape, using art as a powerful medium to interpret, document, and inspire stewardship of our extraordinary freshwater ecosystem. Grant funds will support the new Artist-in-Residence Pilot Program.
Wagbo Peace Center Request: $3,988
Wagbo plans to offer environmental education programs focused on appreciation for woodlands, meadows, and/or wetlands while raising awareness and encouraging environmental stewardship. Programs will introduce attendees to the art of mushroom growing, forest meditation, hiking, identifying plant species, and more. Grant funds will support hiring presenters, marketing materials, and supplies for workshops and events.
- Mini Grants and Urgent Needs
MINI GRANTS
906 Adventure Team Request: $1,500*
906 Adventure Team runs youth resilience programming in 17 communities in the Midwest. This summer, they're kicking off a new biking skill adventure team at Avalanche Preserve in Boyne City, which aims to impact Charlevoix and Emmet County kids ages 5-17 and their families. Adventure Team programming is 2 hours every week for 12 weeks in the summer and covers riding and working on bikes with a focus on character development skills. Grant funding will support start up costs including purchasing bikes, safety equipment, backpacks, bike tools, and more.
*Note: The full cost to start up the program is about $15,000. Volunteers have raised nearly $9,000 so far. Their remaining gap in funding is about $6,000, so any support beyond the requested $1,500 will be put to good use getting the program started up by June 2026.
URGENT NEEDS
Boyne Valley Community Greenhouse Request: $4,000
“Growing Hope for BVCG” is a Leadership Charlevoix County Class of 2026 service project focusing on restoration, expansion, and clean-up at the greenhouse site in preparation to serve more families and make a greater community impact. In recent seasons, the Greenhouse has faced operational challenges including a devastating fire that limited its ability to function at full growing capacity. Despite these challenges, the need for food security and fresh produce for families within Charlevoix County continues to grow. Grant funds will help the organization to invest in essential tools, seeds, soil amendments, and site restoration efforts.
Goodwill Northern Michigan Request: $10,000
Demand for basic and urgent needs assistance continues to rise in Charlevoix County, with increasing requests for help with clothing, footwear, and essential household goods due to housing instability, inflation-driven cost pressures, recovery and mental health needs, and ongoing economic uncertainty. Goodwill Northern Michigan can help through their Good Partner Voucher Program, which provides vouchers to nonprofit and social service agencies in Charlevoix County for the partners to distribute directly to individuals and families experiencing urgent needs. People can then use the vouchers to select the items they need, at no cost to them at any Goodwill store in the area. Grant funds will support vouchers for Charlevoix County residents.
Safe Haven Ministries CHX Request: $10,000 Remaining Need: $7,500
Safe Haven Ministries in Charlevoix offers free, hot breakfast twice a week at the Shirley Roloff Senior Center. Free Breakfast Club offers services with no requirements, paperwork, judgement, or questions and serves an average of 150 breakfasts each Tuesday and Friday. Grant funds will support purchasing food to continue the program and to meet increased need.