Urgent Needs - New Ongoing Grant cycle

In March of 2020, the Community Foundation mobilized resources from the Urgent Needs Fund and others to respond to the developing COVID-19 crisis that began impacting friends and neighbors across Charlevoix County. In the first three months, the Community Foundation awarded 40 grants, totaling more than $136,000, to nonprofit organizations serving those in greatest need in Charlevoix County. This work is possible thanks to many generous donors who chose to make a gift to the Urgent Needs Fund.  

The pandemic is not the only reason that the Urgent Needs Fund was created; indeed urgent needs arise during regular times, too. Over the years, the Community Foundation has supported organizations providing access to food, shelter, safety, healthcare, mental health services, utility and rent assistance, and more for Charelvoix County residents.

Urgent Needs Funds will remain available for eligible nonprofit organizations who are serving those in greatest need in Charlevoix County throughout 2021 and beyond. Grants are considered on an ongoing basis and eligible nonprofits can apply anytime by following the link in the chart below.

Grant awards made through the new Urgent Needs grant cycle will be based on the merit of the proposal and the availability of funds. The purpose of this fund is to fill unexpected or emergency needs that occur, and specifically, to help Charlevoix County residents to access food, shelter, rent, utilities, safety, healthcare, mental health services, and other basic and urgent needs.

 

GRANTS OVERVIEW

GRANT PROGRAM	OVERVIEW	APPLICATION AVAILABLE	APPLICATION  DEADLINE	STATUS	CONTACT PERSON
ENVIRONMENT & LAND USE	Eligible non-profit partners can apply for projects and programs that support environment and land use initiatives located in the Lake Charlevoix Watershed and/or Charlevoix County. This cycle aims to support environmental education, protection, restoration, recreation, and sustainability initiatives. Grantee interview required. Grant guidelines.	December 15	February 1, 2021	Closed	Ashley Cousens
SCHOLARSHIPS	Graduating high school seniors can apply for scholarships to help with the cost of higher education. A few opportunites are also available for continuing education. Review the full list of available scholarships. Click here for how to apply for and/or renew a scholarship.	December 1	March 1, 2021	Closed	Mishelle Shooks
COMMUNITY PROJECT SUPPORT	All eligible non-profit partners can apply for project support during this cycle. Particular areas of interest include arts and culture, fine arts, health, basic and urgent needs, and veteran's needs. Grant guidelines. **This cycle was replaced with the Organizational Support cycle (see below) in 2020 due to COVID-19.**	March 1	May 1, 2021	Closed	Ashley Cousens
Organizational Support	Provisional cycle. Eligible non-profit partners asked for general support through this new cycle, created in response to changing needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The continuation of this cycle is uncertain for 2021.	May 5	June 1, 2020	Closed	Ashley Cousens
STUDENT SUCCESS	This cycle aims to support public pre-K through 12 school districts in Charlevoix County. Only school superintendents can apply for their district. Grant guidelines.	May 1	Extended to December 1, 2020	Accepting Applications	Mishelle Shooks
GEOGRAPHIC ENRICHMENT	All eligible non-profit partners can apply for funding community needs on Beaver Island, in Boyne City, Charlevoix, and East Jordan. Grant guidelines.	August 1	October 1, 2021	Closed	Ashley Cousens
YOUTH NEEDS	All eligible non-profit partners addressing youth needs in Charlevoix County, will be considered for funding, with priority given to those proposals addressing youth mental health and academic stress. Grantee interview may be required. Grant guidelines.	September 1	November 1, 2021	Closed	Mishelle Shooks
SUSTAINING WHAT WORKS	All eligible non-profit partners can apply for general support. This cycle encourages donors who advise funds to provide general support for local causes they care about most. Requests may attract grants of any size or may not be funded at all. In 2020, funds may be limited due to COVID-19 response earlier in the year. Grant guidelines.	October 2	November 1, 2021	Closed	Ashley Cousens
SUN FUND	"Support Us Now" (SUN) Fund grants aim to improve and enrich the quality of life for residents of Charlevoix County. All eligible non-profit partners may apply for grants of $1,000 or less at any time of year to fill an unexpected or emergency need. Grant guidelines.	Ongoing	Ongoing	Accepting Applications	Mishelle Shooks
Urgent Needs Fund	Ongoing support available for eligible nonprofit organizations dealing with unexpected consequences of  the COVID-19 crisis. See above for full guidelines. Eligible organizations can apply anytime and requests are reviewed weekly.	Opened April, 2020	Ongoing	Accepting Applications	Ashley Cousens

 

Return to a Grant Application

FAQ

WHO CAN APPLY

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, educational institutions (preschool through college), and all units of government serving Charlevoix County residents. Additionally, organizations listed above that do not discriminate in hiring of staff or the provision of services. See chart above for who can apply for which specific grant cycles. Also, feel free to contact the person listed if you have more questions about your eligibility to apply. 

 

WHAT WE FUND

Arts and culture, education, environment and land use initiatives, community and economic development, civic improvement, human services, health and wellness projects, recreation, and youth projects. Proposed programs/projects must benefit Charlevoix County residents.

 

WHAT WE USUALLY DON'T FUND

Ongoing organizational operating expenses, political campaigns, sectarian projects, loan payments or deficit spending, services normally supported by tax dollars, annual fundraisers, or grants to individuals.

 

WHEN TO APPLY

Applications for all grant cycles are due by 11:59 PM on the due date. Due dates for each grant cycle are listed in the chart above.  

 

HOW TO APPLY

To get started on any of the grant cycles, call the Community Foundation to discuss eligibility with program staff - Ashley or Mishelle.  If you are approved to apply, you will receive an access code for the online grant application and account logon page. You can log back into a grant application you started by clicking here. Once you click "submit" on your application, you will no longer be able to access the application. Call Ashley or Mishelle for assistance and guidance. 

 

WHAT TO DO AFTER FUNDING

If you receive a grant from the Community Foundation, you will be provided with more information about what to do next. However, you can prepare yourself by checking out our page about Grant Follow-Up.