Impact Opportunities for Donor Advisors

 

Community priorities grant cycle

This month, we are pleased to share many requests from nonprofit partners serving Charlevoix County. The Community Priorities grant cycle responds to all kinds of needs in Charlevoix County. There are a lot of proposals, so we've organized them by topic area and included a screenshot of all the requests "at a glance" so you can quickly see what nonprofits need this year and then you can scroll down for more information about any proposal. We invite you to review the summaries below to see if any of this work aligns with your philanthropic values. 

If you are inspired to contribute to any of these requests, please email Ashley Cousens no later than May 28th. 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 the committee becomes available. 

The Grant Advisory Committee meets on May 19th to complete our comprehensive review process and make funding allocations. If you would like to contribute to any of this work ahead of the committee meeting, please email Ashley by May 18th. You will receive another email on May 20th with any needs that remain after the committee meeting.

As is often the case, we won't have enough funding to support everything on the list, so if you see anything you'd like to support, please be in touch. We feel so lucky to be able to connect you with real and timely community needs and we know that organizations are always grateful for any support they receive.

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.

 

Please make any grant contributions no later than May 28, 2025 by emailing acousens@c3f.org. 

 

 

Community

 

Beaver Island Historical Society                                                                  Request: $4,500         

The Beaver Head Lighthouse is one of the biggest cultural draws for the Island and one of Charlevoix County's newest museums and cultural attractions. BIHS expects an increase in visitors once they complete renovations to the Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters and open the building as a seasonal museum this year. Grant funds will help support the need for new picnic tables to accommodate the crowds - of which at least 60% are from MI and largely from Charlevoix County.

 

Boyne Citizen                                                                                                 Request: $17,500       

Local news, as it existed for many generations, is in the process of redefining itself. The Boyne Citizen is successfully working to address the local news desert in the Boyne area by providing unbiased, fact-based reporting on local news, covering City and County Commission meetings, school board meetings, elections, business news, obituaries, and more. Grant funds will help to hire a journalism intern for the summer, with the hope that the position will become a full time reporter position.

 

Charlevoix Historical Society                                                                       Request: $9,000         

Charlevoix's South Pier Lighthouse is owned by the City of Charlevoix and maintained by the CHS, with the U.S. Coast Guard responsible for operating the light. To stabilize and preserve the Lighthouse, it is vital to address the peeling interior paint before further deterioration and potential damage to the metal occurs. Grant funds will support the paint job and removal of condensation producing mill scale.

 

Charlevoix Next                                                                                            Request: $20,000       

Charlevoix Next is working on creating better accessibility in Charlevoix for all people, including those with mobility issues, ASD, hearing, and visual impairments. They will conduct a thorough accessibility audit throughout Charlevoix - with a focus on public spaces, facilities, and outdoor recreation assets - to  identify and rectify barriers that impede the full participation of individuals with disabilities in enjoying their experience in Charlevoix. Grant funds will support the audit process.

 

Crooked Tree Arts Center                                                                            Request: $3,000         

CTAC is seeking funding to make necessary improvements and upgrades in its kitchen in response to increased demand for inclusive community culinary programming that provides life skills and fosters intergenerational connection. These upgrades will create a more accessible learning environment and serve a more diverse population, including a growing interest from youth and teen participants. Grant funds will help install a demonstration mirror and purchase essential equipment.

           

Friends of the Jordan River Watershed                                                      Request: $7,500         

As a result of the new Don & Eileen Klein Nature Trail opening in EJ, the Friends of the Jordan River Watershed (FJR), whose building sits at the trailhead of the universally accessible trail, has been host to thousands of visitors using the trail who are interested in the building and learning more about the organization and surrounding area. FJR and the EJ Area Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to hire a Community Information Specialist to provide info about FJR, help move the FJR mission forward, and be a valuable resource for community and area info. Grant funds will help FJR to hire the position.

 

Hudson Township Fire and Rescue                                                             Request: $19,034       

HTFR responds to emergencies within Hudson Township and provides mutual aid to Melrose and Chandler Townships in Charlevoix County. Often, the incidents they face involve complex and life-threatening situations where every second counts. To continue meeting these high-stakes demands, they will purchase a drone compatible with those in use by other Charlevoix County agencies for a standardized approach and training within the County. Grant funds will support purchase of the drone.

 

Patrons of the Arts in Rural Communities                                                 Request: $4,000         

The Beaver Island Music Festival (BIMF), now in its 23rd year, has become essential to BI’s economy and cultural identity. Each year, it attracts thousands of visitors, artists, and vendors, fostering a vibrant atmosphere of creativity and collaboration. However, the catastrophic ice storm in March 2025 has left a trail of destruction that requires immediate attention and action to ensure that the festival can proceed on July 17, 2025. Grant funds will help to replace picnic tables destroyed by falling trees.

 

The Stewardship Network                                                                           Request: $10,000       

The Great Lakes Islands Alliance (GLIA) - a fiscally-sponsored project of The Stewardship Network - is a voluntary, collaborative multinational network that brings together island leaders, citizens, and advocates from across the region. With opportunities for connection and learning, Island communities can address their unique challenges, including limited local capacity, unequal or inconsistent access to information, and poor awareness among governments and other decision-makers which are often on the mainland. Grant funds will support the sixth Great Lakes Islands Summit, September 21-24, 2025, on Beaver Island.

 

Education

 

Beaver Island District Library                                                                      Request: $6,895         

The BIDL is one of the anchor institutions on Beaver Island, providing wi-fi internet access 24/7, inside and outside of the building, as well as computers for public access, unique programming, and opportunities for patrons to learn new skills. BIDL plans to upgrade some outdated technology and offer coding and cybersecurity programs for all ages. Grant funds will support replacing outdated computers for improved internet access, cybersecurity, and programming.

 

Char-Em ISD                                                                                                  Request: $10,000       

Many families are forced to choose between providing their child a preschool experience or meeting basic living needs like housing, transportation and/or food. Head Start and Great Start Readiness are government programs that provide free preschool to children based on financial need and risk factors. These programs fill quickly, leaving 40+ children in our area without a preschool opportunity each year. Grant funds will provide scholarships for Charlevoix County children to attend preschool at no cost.

 

Environment

 

Little Traverse Conservancy                                                                         Request: $20,000       

The Farmland Conservation Initiative is transforming the future of farming by protecting precious farmland through conservation easements, all while empowering farmers to continue their vital work. By selling a conservation easement, farmers can unlock the financial potential of their land without losing ownership or the ability to farm it with the peace of mind that the land will remain forever protected in its natural state. Grant funds will support permanent protection of farmland in Charlevoix County.

 

Health

 

Grandvue Medical Care Facility                                                                   Request: $6,496         

Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) are integral to the success of Grandvue, as they provide direct care to residents, form close bonds with them, and act as key communicators between residents and nursing staff. Grandvue’s CNA Training Program - a proprietary school offering affordable training to members of the community who wish to pursue a career in caregiving - has traditionally used textbooks and videos to teach this curriculum. To stay current with industry trends and best practices, and to attract more individuals to the field, the program is moving to an online format. Grant funds will support the purchase of laptops to facilitate this training.

 

Health Department of Northwest Michigan                                              Request: $5,145         

Nearly 1 in 5 adults 65 years and older have untreated tooth decay, which is most often preventable. The HDNW Community Oral Health Services are seeking funding to include Charlevoix County in the Senior Smiles initiative, ensuring access to essential oral health services and resources, including head and neck cancer screenings, following the reduction in funding from the Delta Dental Foundation. Grant funds will support the continuation of the Senior Smiles program for the summer of 2025.

 

Hospice of Michigan                                                                                     Request: $10,000       

Families caring for children with life-limiting conditions often experience profound emotional and financial hardship. Hospice of Michigan is seeking funding to support and expand the Jo Elyn Nyman Anchors Programs for Children. This specialized program supports families medically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually from diagnosis onward, adapting to their evolving needs while allowing for curative treatment when appropriate. Grant funds will support the programming, ensuring families in Charlevoix County have access to a full continuum of pediatric hospice and palliative care.

 

McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation                                                  Request: $16,000       

The McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation's "Harvesting Health" program supports employee wellness and retention by providing fresh produce to staff throughout the summer and fall. The program aims to  provide staff appreciation, support caregivers, foster a healthy culture, and connect senior leadership to staff during distribution. Grant funds will support providing fresh produce to employees from Chx Cty.

 

Human Services

 

Bergmann Center                                                                                          Request: $27,799       

The Bergmann Center was severely impacted by the 2025 ice storm, resulting in sewage flooding the building. For the short term, they have relocated operations to the resale shop to continue serving clients. However, the Center is currently in disarray and requires significant upgrades. Grant funds will replace rotting and non-functional windows throughout the building, which will enhance the building's appearance, ensure proper functionality, and improve energy efficiency for heating and cooling.

 

Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan                                 Request: $6,000         

Without enough licensed homes available, Charlevoix County children in need of a foster home will be placed elsewhere, causing additional trauma for a child losing all their familiar surroundings, community supports, school, friends, and proximity to relatives. To reduce trauma while keeping children safe, CFS seeks more licensed foster homes within the county. Grant funds will support recruitment and retention efforts to find new and keep existing licensed foster homes available for kids in need.

 

Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan                                    Request: $25,000       

WRCNM offers a multitude of programs and services for women, children, and families in Charlevoix County, focusing on survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and gender-based violence. To ensure streamlined and effective operations, as well as the safety and security of staff and survivors, the new facility requires current technology features that enable adequate security monitoring of the building. Grant funds will support necessary infrastructure including IT cable wiring and security cameras.

 

Recreation

 

Charlevoix Area Community Pool                                                               Request: $15,000       

CACP needs to replace the UV disinfecting light and pool filtration pump to maintain a clean and safe environment for CACP patrons and to prevent an extended shutdown of the pool due to mechanical failure. Grant funds will help purchase and install both pieces of equipment.

 

Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association                                            Request: $25,000       

The Expert XC Trail project at Boyne School Forest is designed to address a critical gap in the current trail offerings across the TOMMBA network by providing a progressive experience between existing beginner and expert-level trails. Aligned with TOMMBA’s mission to create inclusive trail systems for riders of all ages, abilities, and skill levels, this new trail will expand access and enhance rider development and safety.

 

Youth

 

Power Book Bags                                                                                          Request: $12,000       

PBB invites children and their families to select books and other materials to promote interactions through play and literacy activities during each of their appointments at the Health Department. Families who struggle to pay for basic needs, are unlikely to have capacity to buy books or literacy materials, even though this sets children up for life success. Grant funds will supply learning materials to share with Little Learners at the Health Department.

 

President Ford Division DBA Michigan Crossroads Council                     Request: $2,500         

For over 115 years, Scouting America has stood as the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. They aim to teach timeless values, strengthen leadership skills, and guide youth into becoming educated, enlightened, and responsible citizens. Grant funds will support scholarships for membership fees, uniforms, and a handbook library for Chx Cty youth.