Recent Grants
nearly $165,000 in Geographic enrichment grants Awarded
The Charlevoix County Community Foundation responded to requests from nonprofit partners in four geographic areas in Charlevoix County in October. Thanks to donors who look to the Community Foundation to make a difference close to home, grants have been awarded to nonprofits who will work to improve the quality of life on Beaver Island, in Boyne City, Charlevoix, and East Jordan. In all, nearly $165,000 was awarded during the Geographic Enrichment cycle.
On Beaver Island, grants will bring special arts and culture events to the Island, starting with two holiday brass concerts in December hosted by the Beaver Island Performing Arts Alliance. In September 2023, the Beaver Island Irish Festival will bring Currachs (Irish rowing boats) and Currach teams from Milwaukee and Boston for an officially sanctioned regatta, helping to preserve and promote the culture of Beaver Island. The Beaver Island Historical Society will be adding technology at both museums for folks to dive deeper on certain exhibits and to learn more about Island history. Additionally, the Beaver Island Rural Health Center will purchase a vehicle to help Health Center staff get around and better serve patients and Island residents.
In Boyne City, recreation and housing will get a boost. Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity will build a new home in Boyne City. Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association will build a new, more advanced “jumpline” trail to help bikers “level up” their skills. Top of Michigan Trails Council will introduce a trails map for the Boyne Area, a current gap in their map offerings for the area. The Boyne Rotary Club, celebrating its 50th year, is partnering with the City of Boyne City to install a picnic pavilion at Peninsula Beach. Additionally, Boyne Valley Community Greenhouse will install a vertical hydroponics system to help produce more fresh food for people in need, especially during the winter months.
In Charlevoix, the Historical Society will upgrade technology to improve their efficiency, and the Charlevoix Area Community Pool will take on some landscaping to work toward finalizing their recent renovations to both the building and the parking area. The Charlevoix Visitors Bureau, in partnership with the City of Charlevoix, will work with a company called Able-Eyes to provide 360-degree virtual tours of hotels, restaurants, and public spaces in downtown Charlevoix. The digital tours will help people with disabilities to preview the spaces for accessibility before heading out for a visit.
In East Jordan, the City is focused on updating its parks and recreation master plan, including planning for Elm Pointe. They are also partnering with the American Legion to begin improving GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Park by removing some trees and relocating the gazebo. Both of these grants to the City are for early stages of what will be larger projects. Meanwhile, Friends of the Jordan River Watershed will begin working on the first segment of the new trail that will eventually go from Sportsman’s Park to the Rogers Preserve, connecting downtown East Jordan with a beautiful nature preserve by way of an accessible trail and boardwalk. Just outside town, Little Traverse Conservancy will install a trailhead parking area for a trail on the new Nathan Beem Nature Preserve. Health education will get a boost, too, with a grant to the East Jordan Ambulance Association for CPR and AED training equipment. Additionally, East Jordan children and youth will see the impact of a grant to Training Wheels Childcare Center for a shed to store outdoor toys that can be accessed year-round, as well as support for the Depot Jordan Valley Teen Center’s programming, including helping to provide meals for the teens as well as some financial literacy courses.
See below for a complete list of grants awarded.
LIST OF RECENT GRANTS
When you give to Community Grantmaking Funds, you are providing for current and future projects happening right here at home. With grant cycles throughout the year, nonprofit partners, schools, and individual communities working in Charlevoix County have the opportunity to seek support for worthwhile places, programs, and projects.
For a complete list of grant awards, and additional information (summaries) about each grant, click on the links below.
2022 Geographic Enrichment Grant Awards
2022 Community Priorities Grant Awards
2022 Environment & Land Use Grant Awards
In March of 2020, the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 arrived in the U.S. and Michigan. The global health crisis not only caused hardship for those who became ill, but also had major economic impact, including for many Charlevoix County residents. The Community Foundation responded quickly by deploying Urgent Needs grants to organizations who were providing support for Charlevoix County residents who had been disproportionately impacted by the consequences of COVID-19. To date, grants totaling more than $240,000 have been awarded to nonprofit organizations serving Charlevoix County. Click here for a full list of grants.
Urgent Needs grants continue to be available to organizations who are helping Charlevoix County residents to access food, shelter, safety, healthcare, and otherwise assist with basic and urgent needs. To learn more about how to apply, click here. To donate to the Urgent Needs fund, click here.
MORE RECENT GRANTS
For even more recent grants, keep in touch with us on our Facebook page!