Organizational support grants awarded

July 16, 2020

The Community Foundation responded to requests from nonprofit partners in June, thanks to generous donors who look to the Community Foundation to adjust quickly to changing community needs. Grants will make investments in area nonprofit organizations, helping many to keep operating through these challenging times. This special Organizational Support cycle was created to help organizations with operational and general support for ongoing programs and projects. More than $155,000 was awarded to area nonprofit organizations during this cycle. Many organizations will use grant dollars to increase technology capabilities, which will enable them to work remotely more effectively, and to offer programs and services in a new way. Grant dollars may also help some organizations to open safely with added personal protective equipment, or simply continue necessary maintenance and upkeep of organizational property. Operational support is vital to organizations in our region who have been hard hit by the consequences of COVID-19. See below for a complete list of grants made through the Organizational Support cycle.

In April, the Community Foundation conducted a survey of nonprofit organizations and learned that many organizations were struggling to make ends meet, with normal activities and fundraising events cancelled for public health and safety reasons. “Community foundations are well-positioned to respond to changing needs in the community,” said Chip Hansen, President of the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, “and the creation of this new grant cycle is a great example of how we can continue to be there for our community in times of change and crisis.”   

All of this work is made possible by the generous donors who have contributed to the Community Foundation’s funds over the years and in recent weeks. The Community Endowment is the Community Foundation’s tool for responding to needs and moving promising opportunities forward; nonprofit partners needed general operations support as performances, services, and fundraisers were canceled. The Community Endowment is available to respond. Additionally, the Community Foundation’s Urgent Needs Fund supports individuals and families in need throughout Charlevoix County with grants to nonprofit partners and is currently supporting the ongoing Urgent Needs Cycle. Organizations serving individuals and families in need may continue to apply for grants as needed through the Urgent Needs cycle in 2020.  

The Community Foundation anticipates that needs will continue for some time and may even increase before things start to get better. People who are interested in helping friends and neighbors in need through the Community Foundation can make a gift to these funds.   

The next grant cycle will focus on Geographic Enrichment, or projects that impact one of the following communities: Beaver Island, Boyne City, Charlevoix, or East Jordan.  Applications will be available in August and are due by Thursday, October 1, 2020.  The Community Foundation welcomes inquiries about applying for grants anytime by emailing Ashley Cousens at acousens@c3f.org. More information about each grant cycle can be found on the “Apply for a Grant” page.

 

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.

 

2020 Organizational Support Grant Awards

 

2020 Urgent Needs 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, 40 grants, totaling more than $150,000 have been awarded to nonprofit organizations serving Charlevoix County. For a complete list of grants awarded since March, please click on the link above. 

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. 

 

2020 Environment & Land Use Grant Awards

 

October 2019 Grant Awards
October 2019 Grant Summaries

 

 

MORE RECENT GRANTS

Boyne City Pavilion Project Completed

July 13, 2020

Recently, a group gathered to celebrate the completion of a long-time project in Boyne City. The pavilion in Veterans Park next to City Hall is now finished! The project has been ongoing for several years and the beautiful final product represents the culmination of significant community investments and partnerships over time. 

The new pavilion has been significantly renovated, including the removal of a large fireplace in the center of the space. New garage doors were added all around, so that the space can be closed off in inclement weather or opened up in nice weather. The restrooms were renovated and a commercial kitchen was added. All of these features will help with special events and the space can be reserved through the City of Boyne City. This space will be the year round location for the famed Boyne City Farmer's Market. 

The Community Foundation was proud to play a role in supporting this terrific community project. The pavilion promises to be a versatile resource for Boyne City residents for years to come. 

 

 

Preserving Beaver Island HIstory

January 16, 2020

In the fall of 2019, the Beaver Island Historical Society began the project of expanding the Mormon Print Shop, which houses their office along with some museum exhibits and a gift shop. The need to expand was fueled by the number of unique artifacts and historical materials that they wanted to display. Beaver Island's history is unique and celebrated by locals and visitors alike. In a recent 9&10 News feature, Beaver Island resident, Angel Welke, said that "history is just as important as the present. This is how we got here. This is how Beaver Island became as unique as it is." 

The new museum space will feature a large rare mural, called Hauling in the Nets, which is currently being restored in Detroit. When the mural returns to the Island, it will be the main feature of the new historical museum's conference room and meeting space. The new museum will also feature exhibits on the natural history of Beaver Island, among other topics. The organization looks forward to showcasing Beaver Island's unique history in the new space. 

The Beaver Island Historical Society was founded in 1957 to collect and share the fascinating history of Beaver Island. A remote island in Lake Michigan, it has witnessed many interesting and unique historical events and has been home to various groups including Native Americans, a Mormon branch known as the Strangites, Irish immigrants, fisherman, lumberjacks, and many more.

The Historical Society currently operates two museums on the island, the Print Shop Museum, and the Marine Museum, as well as two additional historical sites, Heritage Park, and the Protar home. They offer several services to visitors, including genealogical research, copies of archival photos, and a series of historical journals and other books for purchase.  Additionally, they host many events throughout the year to promote the island’s history. For more updates on the construction project and more about the Historical Society, check out their Facebook page. 

Grant funding over the last two years helped to make this work possible, including an estate gift that longtime Beaver Island visitor and passionate supporter, Henry L. Hill, made through the Community Foundation. Learn more about how to leave a legacy with the Community Foundation. 

 

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