SPECIAL COVID-19 UPDATE 

The Community Foundation has mobilized resources from the Urgent Needs Fund and others to respond to the developing COVID-19 crisis that is impacting and will continue to impact many friends and neighbors across Charlevoix County.  These special COVID-19 Urgent Needs Funds are available for eligible nonprofit organizations who are playing an active role in helping individuals in our community who are disproportionately impacted by the instability and economic consequences of the pandemic. Grants are being considered on an ongoing basis and eligible nonprofits can apply anytime by following the link in the chart below. 

Urgent Needs grantmaking began in late March, as an initial response to increased need in our community due to COVID-19. In the first three months, the Community Foundation has awarded 40 grants, totaling more than $136,000, to nonprofit organizations serving those most in need in Charlevoix County. This work is possible thanks to many generous donors who chose to make a gift to the Urgent Needs Fund.  

*This grant cycle is ongoing and awards 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 due to the COVID-19 response, and specifically to help those with basic and urgent needs such as food, rent, utilities, safety, healthcare, etc.

 

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 1	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	Eligible non-profit partners can ask for general support through this new cycle, created in response to changing needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the grant guidelines for full details and eligibility before applying.	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, 2020	Accepting Applications	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, 2020	Accepting Applications	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 1	November 1, 2020	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. 

 

2020 GRANT CHANGES

In 2020, we’re changing how we work with nonprofit partners to provide opportunities for larger grants and more flexible support with different deadlines for different focus areas.  A primary goal in reviewing and revising the Community Grant-making Program is to remain accessible to nonprofit partners. We anticipate an increase in support for nonprofit partners beyond community grant-making funds because of efforts to share your good work with donors who advise funds within the Community Foundation as well as sharing more broadly on our website and in publications.  

In late 2019 and throughout 2020, we will provide more information to our non-profit partners about how to partner with the Community Foundation to fulfill your mission.  We've been sharing details through print and electronic communications, and our upcoming in-person workshops (or open meetings) will provide details and a chance to answer any questions you might have. Non-profit partners are vitally important to the Community Foundation’s impact and we look forward to continuing to work with you to make a difference here in Charlevoix County.

Below are our new grant cycle focus areas and the new deadlines for 2020. We will always share new information here on our website as soon as it becomes available. Above, is the lastest information we have to share about the new cycles and deadlines. Always contact us if you have specific questions about a proposal idea or any of the changes we're making.