Recent Grants

Arts

Bay Township Grant Amount: $1,000

Bay Township requests support for the development and permanent installation of an elegant life-size art piece in Horton Bay. The third sculpture to complete a trifecta of Ernest Hemingway tributes in the region, the Young Boy and the Stream serves as a reminder of the basis for Hemingway’s attraction to the area – the fishing and extensive bounty of natural resources. Grant funds will support the installation of the sculpture in Bay Township.

Boyne Arts Collective Grant Amount: $2,500

The BAC, with the help of the Boyne District Library, are planning to offer 5 one-week children's art camps this summer. The camps will introduce children to famous artists and explore different mediums through literacy, art history, and engaging projects. At the end of each week-long camp, there will be an "art gallery" exhibit of that week’s work at the library that will remain on display for a month. Grant funds will support scholarships to ensure participation, regardless of financial circumstances.

Charlevoix Circle of Arts Grant Amount: $2,000

CCA is requesting funding to support their fall art exhibition, “Big and Small,” which will be on display this fall. This unique exhibit will explore the power of scale in visual art and encourage viewers to consider how size influences perception, detail, and artistic impact. By showcasing a diverse group of Michigan artists and offering interactive community engagement activities, this exhibit aligns with CCA's mission to make art accessible, educational, and inspiring.

Crooked Tree Arts Center Grant Amount: $3,000

Crooked Tree Arts Center's fall 2025 exhibition and programming will be "The Art of Wellbeing," and it seeks to address the growing stress, anxiety, mental health and social challenges in our community, which have been exacerbated by cultural, political, and economic uncertainties. Research shows that participating in artistic activities can reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Grant funds will support the exhibit’s interactive and engaging educational programs as well as costs of materials needed for youth outreach programs and school tours.

Great Lakes Center for the Arts Grant Amount: $2,500

Great Lakes Center for the Arts (GLCFA) believes strongly in performing arts as part of a well-rounded academic experience for area K-12 students. Their Next Gen program, provides arts and culture opportunities to students that would otherwise be inaccessible, as well as free educational resources to area educators to enhance the learning experience of every show. Grant funds will support Next Gen’s October program: “Cirque Mechanics—Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride to Center Stage” to educate and engage the community, including students from Charlevoix County schools, at no cost.

Jordan River Arts Council Grant Amount: $5,500

For over 36 years, the Jordan River Arts Council (JRAC) has thrived as a grassroots nonprofit, largely operated by a dedicated team of volunteers. While this volunteer-driven model has sustained the organization’s core programs, it has become increasingly challenging to maintain the necessary level of expertise, time, and commitment required to support both daily operations and long-term growth. Grant funds will support a capacity assessment for the organization, which will result in recommendations and an action plan for moving forward.

Northwest Michigan Arts and Culture Network Grant Amount: $1,000

While Charlevoix County has a vibrant creative sector, many artists and organizations struggle to find professional development opportunities, meaningful collaboration, and support systems that help them grow. This disconnect limits the full potential of the arts to contribute to the local economy, cultural identity, and quality of life. To address these challenges, the NW MI Arts & Culture Network is expanding its work in Charlevoix County through three targeted strategies; offering workshops for professional development, convening gatherings for relationship-building & community engagement, and strengthening the Arts & Culture Summit. Grant funds will support these initiatives, which aim to reduce isolation, strengthen professional skills, and foster a culture where the arts are valued as a core part of Charlevoix County’s future.

Tara's Meadow Education & Retreat Center Grant Amount: $3,770

Tara’s Meadow will honor and celebrate Beaver Island’s Native American and Irish roots by hosting a weekend of “Braiding Irish and Native American Cultures” during the annual Sustainability Fair in June. This will include internationally known, Grammy-nominated recording artist, speaker, author and activist “John Two-Hawks”; local Anishinaabe Wisdom Keeper Grandmother Gennie Morgan; and Michigan’s own Irish and Native American Instrumentalist musician Linda Hammond leading various community conversations and presentations to enhance cultural awareness and educate the community. Grant funds will support bringing John Two-Hawks to Beaver Island.

Traverse City Dance Project Grant Amount: $3,000

For the last two summers, as part of the Live on the Lake series in downtown Charlevoix, TCDP delivered memorable dance performances that drew approximately 200 to 350 attendees each, including families and children. By offering free admission, TCDP makes professional dance accessible to a diverse audience, enriching the cultural experience of community members. This summer, a new youth movement and dance class will be instructed by one of the professional dancers and will be open to all ages at no cost. Grant funds will support this year’s dance performance and youth movement class.

Wagbo Peace Center Grant Amount: $7,000

Wagbo Farm began renovating an indoor space to be used for arts classes with emphasis on fiber arts in 2024. Those renovations are nearly complete with the exception of a heating system to make it a year round venue, which will support gatherings and classes focused on the fiber arts. In the year ahead, they are also planning Arts & Culture programming that will integrate concepts of peace & justice, in line with the organization’s mission. Grant funds will support a portion of the heating system as well as a portion of the new and expanded programming.

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History/Culture

Beaver Island Historical Society Grant Amount: $4,500

The Print Shop Museum houses the BI Historical Society's Native American displays, but the current displays are outdated and limited. BIHS, in close partnership with Odawa Native American women, will create at least four new panel displays and offer related programming about Native Americans and the Indian Boarding Schools in the Charlevoix & Petoskey region. The exhibit, which will be designed as a traveling display, will educate visitors about the history of the Anishinaabek people within the areas of Charlevoix & Emmet counties. Grant funds will support creation of the exhibit and related programming.

Charlevoix Historical Society Grant Amount: $3,000

The museum and Charlevoix Historical Society headquarters are located in the historic Harsha House at 103 State Street, built in 1892. A number of renovations have taken place since it was donated to the Society in 1979, including major renovation and restoration work since 2016. As part of the Master Plan, renovations are set to continue to the second floor, increasing capacity for artifact storage. In preparing for this work, noticeable sagging has been detected in the floors and cracks in places in the walls, indicating possible structural deficiencies which have developed over time. Before any further work is done, grant funds will support a structural assessment for the building and engineering recommendations.

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Music

Beaver Island Performing Arts Alliance Grant Amount: $1,000

BIPAA seeks support for the return visit of pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko - winner of major landmark competitions and widely regarded as one of the most exciting and creative musicians of his generation - to headline the 2025 Baroque on Beaver summer music festival. Jaeden embodies the high musical standards associated with Baroque on Beaver and earns Beaver Island greater visibility in the larger musical world. Grant funds will support Jaeden's two performances on Beaver Island this summer.

City of Boyne City Grant Amount: $1,497

The Boyne City Farmers Market is a year-round market that brings people together in an inclusive environment where the entire community can gather, shop, and eat locally. Each week, in partnership with Blissfest, they showcase local musicians from around the region to create an enriching experience for patrons and an avenue for artists to gain exposure. Last summer, including music on Wednesdays increased attendance by 30-40 people each week. Grant funds will continue this season’s market music.

City of Charlevoix Grant Amount: $3,500

Building on the popularity of the Live on the Lake concert series, the City of Charlevoix plans to shift the series to August and early September to support and encourage economic activity beyond the peak tourism season to benefit local residents and businesses. This year, with grant support, they plan to cap the series with a Jazz Festival, celebrating both regional and visiting musicians while showcasing Charlevoix as a destination for high-quality arts and music experiences.

Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra Grant Amount: $7,000

The GLCO is partnering with a professional ballet company and a local ballet school to prepare Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, taking place on July 17th at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts. Known as “the work that caused a riot,” its 1913 Paris premiere shocked audiences and forever changed the future of music composition. The score, widely regarded as the first modernist orchestral work, remains one of the most recorded pieces in the classical repertoire. Grant funds will support the production - a major artistic milestone for musicians and audiences as it will be the first time this piece is performed in our community.

Tunes Music Makers Grant Amount: $4,000

Beaver Island has a long-standing tradition of music, particularly Irish, Scottish, and Canadian fiddling; however, access to quality music education has been extremely limited due to its geographic isolation. The Tunes Music Makers program was established to fill this gap, ensuring that children and community members have opportunities to engage with and learn traditional music. Grant funds will help to bring Indigenous fiddler, Ruby John, an accomplished musician specializing in Irish, Scottish, and Canadian fiddle traditions, to Beaver Island once a month to provide fiddle lessons to elementary students.

Au Sable Institute Grant Amount: $2,500

Au Sable Institute’s year-long program, Restoration Ecology for Young Students (REYS), is designed to introduce students to the science and the practice of ecological restoration within their local watershed using native plants. Over the course of ten lessons, REYS helps students and teachers develop an understanding of physical, earth, and living systems, and scientific inquiry and investigation. They will partner with Little Traverse Conservancy to select the restoration habitat within the Lake Charlevoix Watershed. Grant funds will support bringing REYS to Charlevoix Elementary 4th grade students during the 2025-2026 school year.

Beaver Island Association Grant Amount: $6,500

Beaver Island is faced with a growing environmental issue of abandoned vehicles scattered across the Island due to the expense associated with disposal. The primary objective of the BIA Blight Remediation program is to environmentally and safely remove abandoned vehicles from Beaver Island by barge to a licensed scrapyard at no cost to the property owner. They also remove and dispose of abandoned appliances, scrap metal, snowmobiles, and lawn equipment by filling vehicles being removed for disposal. Grant funds will support the initiative, which aims to reduce environmental hazards, improve community aesthetics, promote sustainable waste management practices, and protect the Island's drinking water sources and natural resources.

Friends of the Boyne River Grant Amount: $5,000

The Boyne River Nature Area is a sloping, grassy area surrounded by trees, with a ravine that leads to a wetland and then to the Boyne River. To bring awareness to the wetland and provide environmental education, Friends of the Boyne River is working with Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council to introduce a "Treasure Hunt". Seven signs spaced out along the ravine’s path will have photos of a different wetland plant on each sign for visitors to learn about and locate. Grant funds will help to purchase and install the educational signage.

Lake Charlevoix Association Grant Amount: $5,000

One of LCA's key objectives in 2025 is the Lake Charlevoix Watershed Community Map Project. Various "trails" will be identified around the Lake Charlevoix Watershed, including bike paths, lake access locations, family activities, shopping, and more. While it will encourage shopping and dining, the focus will be a tool for community building around the lake, including an opportunity for LCA to educate area residents and visitors about fellow lake and watershed partner organizations and how they all fit and work together for the protection of Lake Charlevoix. Grant funds will support the creation of the Community Map.

Raven Hill Discovery Center Grant Amount: $5,000

Raven Hill Discovery Center plans to install a Living STEM Lab at Deer Creek. This hands-on outdoor lab will create opportunities for scientific exploration, environmental stewardship, and sustainable practices. Students and citizen scientists will monitor and collect data on the water, land, and air in and around Deer Creek, which will be digitally displayed for visitors. This monitoring program will help assess Deer Creek’s health and demonstrate changes over time, across seasons and years. Grant funds will support installing the Living STEM Lab at Deer Creek.

Tara's Meadow Education & Retreat Center Grant Amount: $6,300

Tara’s Meadow (TM) is on the direct path of two eco-tourist destinations on Beaver Island: the Birding Trail and the recently designated Dark Sky Sanctuary. They have also experienced an increase in event participants and overnight guests for their own retreats and programs, but they have reached their capacity to support the growing number of guests due to limited restroom, bath, and kitchen facilities. With the long range goal of building an Environmental and Cultural Education Center that will also house overnight guests, TM will begin with the installation of an environmentally innovative septic system that will support a Phase 1 Environmental Education Camp, with a modular kitchen, toilet and bathing facility. Grant funds will support the installation of the septic system.

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Grant Amount: $15,000

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council continues their efforts to remove a small dam on Stover Creek just south of Charlevoix. Dam removal is warranted for ecosystem and safety concerns, and is also a priority in the Lake Charlevoix Watershed Management Plan (2012) due to its impact on the stream and lake. Grant funds will support the construction phase of the dam removal and stream restoration.

Top of Michigan Trails Council Grant Amount: $14,000

Top of Michigan Trails Council is planning for the construction of the Charlevoix Trailway, the "last mile" of the Little Traverse Wheelway, which will connect trail users on a safe and convenient route into downtown Charlevoix, and beyond. Currently, the southern tip of the Little Traverse Wheelway terminates at Waller Road, leaving trail users to utilize the road shoulder and follow “Bike Route” signs into town, which can feel unsafe. The Charlevoix Trailway will provide a safer option and create access for the first time to a Little Traverse Conservancy preserve along Waller Road. Grant funds will support the construction of the Charlevoix Trailway.

Village of Boyne Falls Grant Amount: $35,210

The Village of Boyne Falls and Conservation Resource Alliance are working together to remove the aging, high-risk dam that currently obstructs natural river flow on the South Branch of the Boyne River, a high-quality cold-water trout stream that supports diverse aquatic life. Removal of the dam would reconnect over 38 miles of upstream habitat, improve water quality, and reduce the risk of an uncontrolled failure. Grant funds will support the conduction of a feasibility study; the essential first step in the dam removal process, providing the necessary scientific and engineering groundwork for future design, permitting, and construction.

Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy Grant Amount: $5,000

Walloon Lake's environment is experiencing a major increase in skin rashes due to the prevalence of avian schistosomes, the causative agents of swimmer's itch. These parasites, with their complex two-host lifecycle involving aquatic snails and waterfowl, represent a significant environmental and social challenge. Traditional lake-wide control methods have demonstrated limited effectiveness and had detrimental impacts on non-target aquatic organisms. This project aims to shift the paradigm to a localized, scientifically driven prevention strategy. With grant funding support and by implementing a physical barrier (baffle) and a larval removal system ('skimmer') within a designated swim area at Camp Daggett, WLAC seeks to minimize human exposure to swimmer's itch parasites without resorting to chemical interventions that harm the broader aquatic ecosystem. The data gathered can be used to inform other lake communities experiencing the same issue.

Arts

Beaver Island Cultural Arts Association Award: $1,500

Live theater on Beaver Island has generally been the purview of community productions. While amateur productions serve important communal purposes, the Beaver Island Performing Arts Alliance aims to bring professional performers to the Island for the enjoyment and enrichment of the entire community. Mounting a play with professional direction and actors reflects the organization's commitment to elevate, extend, and diversify the performing arts on Beaver Island to meet the cultural needs and interests of an ever widening audience of residents and visitors. Grant funds will support production of the play and costs associated with bringing performers to the Island.

Charlevoix Circle of Arts Award: $1,635

Charlevoix Circle of Arts (CCA) is requesting funding to support core arts programming, which provides children and adults in Charlevoix and surrounding communities with opportunities for expression, connection and creating through a variety of arts experiences, including fine art exhibits, art workshops, dance classes, youth programs, artist lectures, and other events. From 2019-2023, CCA experienced significant growth in the number of people using the organization’s exhibits, educational programs, workshops, and classes. Programs are effective and highly rated, with 98% of participants developing or improving a skill or technique as a result of CCA programming. Feedback from constituents consistently requests new and continued program offerings. Grant support will help CCA in developing new programs and continuing to provide existing, high-quality programs.

Charlevoix Public Schools Award: $3,000

As part of the Advanced Placement United States Government & Politics course curriculum, students must engage in an activity that benefits the community in which they live. This year's class has decided to place interactive murals along the corridor/alleyway on the backside of the Berkshire Hathaway building, the Van Pelt 1909 building, and the Peppers Boutique building in downtown Charlevoix. The artists are former Charlevoix High School students, Edith Pair and Paige Pemble, and current Charlevoix Middle High School Fine Arts students. Grant funds will be used to purchase materials for the artists to create their murals. Murals will be created on detachable materials and affixed to the buildings so that they can be moved, adjusted, or removed as needed.

Crooked Tree Arts Center Award: $2,500

This summer, Crooked Tree Arts Center is premiering the locally developed art and culture exhibition called Michigan: An American Portrait. Curated by CTAC Visual Arts Director, Liz Erlewine, Michigan: An American Portrait is a dynamic, creative, and multifaceted cultural exhibition exploring the history, identity, environment, and "placehood" of the state of Michigan. The exhibition is inspired by the PBS documentary film of the same name and connects viewers to the film's themes through compelling original works of art, didactic text, and clips from the film. A series of public programs deepens the experience for youth and adults throughout Northern Michigan. As a community center based in the arts, CTAC designed this summer programming for year-round and seasonal residents, as well as visitors. The exhibition will take the state-wide thematic content from the PBS film and incorporate regionally specific connections through the work of local artists, businesses, and community-focused programming.

Northwest Michigan Arts and Culture Network Award: $1,000

Northwest Michigan Arts & Culture Network is trying to build capacity specifically in Charlevoix County for the Network’s backbone services, technology and programming benefitting local artists/culture bearers, arts and cultural organizations, creative businesses, and related community projects. While the Network serves and connects regionally, the creative work and those they serve are at the local level. A key strategic goal is for the organization to extend their branches and deepen their roots in Charlevoix County. Grant funding will help bring focused efforts in marketing, relationship building, and convening of local artists, arts organizations, culture bearers, and community members in Charlevoix County.

Raven Hill Discovery Center Award: $5,000

Raven Hill Discovery Center (RHDC) actively connects history, art, & science in Charlevoix County for everyone. Deer Creek runs under Fuller Rd and through the north end of Raven Hill’s property. Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) is working on a large-scale project, which includes restoring the natural river flow of Deer Creek and the Jordan River at certain road crossings. The project will improve Deer Creek by replacing the current aging infrastructure with a timber bridge, restoring the creek to its original state. Raven Hill is proud to collaborate with CRA on this work, but it also means that RHDC may be less easily accessible during the busy summer season while the CRA construction is taking place. To make lemonade out of lemons, RHDC plans to staff a pop-up museum in a tent at the corner of Fuller, Pearsall, and BC/EJ Roads, just down the hill from RHDC's main campus. This will allow patrons the choice of making a longer detour on a seasonal road to access RHDC's main campus, or to enjoy the more easily accessible pop-up museum on the main road. Grant funds will be used to help RHDC purchase large inflatable tents to house the pop-up museum.

Traverse City Dance Project Award: $2,400

The mission of the Traverse City Dance Project (TCDP) is to produce and present professional dance in Northern Michigan, promoting collaboration among artists and actively engaging with the community, expanding audience reach and ensuring inclusivity for all, and recognizing the transformative power of the arts to unite, empower, and inspire communities. In Charlevoix County, they are impacting the local arts, music, and cultural scene by returning to downtown Charlevoix for the second year this summer, with a live dance performance in East Park, as part of their 2024 Community Tour. Grant funds will support the Charlevoix show.

Wagbo Peace Center Award: $8,000

To fulfill its mission, Wagbo Farm offers a variety of educational programs related to sustainable agriculture, homesteading, the environment, creative expression, historically relevant cultural practices, community resilience, peace and justice and the intersections of all of these. Wagbo is seeking to transform the old workshop building on site from a cold storage area into an arts and culture classroom space that can be used year-round. Grant funds will help to raise the building, and to repair the foundation and lower portion of the exterior walls. This work, coupled with the work they are already undertaking to address drainage issues, install a heating system, and put in windows for more natural light, will help make this space suitable for year-round community fiber arts workshops.

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History/Culture

Beaver Island District Library Award: $2,000

As a part of their mission, the Beaver Island District Library addresses the cultural, informational, educational, recreational, and technological needs of the community. They are planning cultural programming highlighting Indigenous peoples (Native Americans and other Indigenous peoples from Asia, Hawaii, and Pacific Islands), including crafts like pottery, basketry, beadwork, art, music and dance, writing and storytelling, and cultural foods. Indigenous families reside on the island and attend school, but as a small minority, not much is offered for them to learn about their culture outside of the family unit. It is important that non-Natives also learn about the culture of those who resided in North America prior to the arrival of the Europeans. Grant funds will help bring presenters to the Island and will support program supply costs.

Beaver Island Historical Society Award: $2,000

The Beaver Island Historical Society (BIHS) will bring unique arts & culture programming opportunities to the Beaver Island Community in 2024. From kids programming about fossils and paleontology to storytelling and music about the Great Lakes told through historic working songs called sea shanties, to stories of female lighthouse keepers, and the MSU Irish Dance Group performances; each program will highlight the unique history and culture of Beaver Island and the Great Lakes.

Charlevoix Historical Society Award: $3,250

In 2006 the Charlevoix Historical Society (CHS) was offered the Charlevoix Courier's extensive archive of photos, slides, negatives, and proof sheets, which is now estimated to be comprised of 45,000 items that date from the 1940s to 2007, including a collection from long-time Courier photographer Fran Martin (1909-1989). In 2021, CHS began working to digitize, catalog, and archive these historic materials. The goal is for these to be accessible and searchable by anyone who wishes to do so, at the museum under supervision of museum staff, and eventually online. Grant funds will help staff to progress with digitizing materials from the Charlevoix Courier's collection.

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Music

City of Boyne City Award: $750

The Boyne City Farmers Market is looking to expand their Wednesday Market Music series this summer and to increase the pay for musicians. Last season they hosted music during eight Wednesday markets and noticed a decrease in patron traffic on market days without music. They partner with Blissfest Music Organization to showcase local musicians from around the region, which provides a more enriching experience to farmers market patrons while providing an avenue for artists to gain exposure and a wage. The pay increase will help to build a wider range of artists and bring in new musicians to the series. Music at the market creates an infectious energy that draws people in and keeps patrons at the market. Grant funds will help pay for musicians to perform during the summer music series at the BC Farmers Market.

City of East Jordan Award: $9,500

The City of East Jordan's Southern Bandshell was constructed in 2004 and has hosted an increasing number of concerts, festivals and ceremonies since its inception. The Music in the Park series takes place each Friday in June and July, welcoming concerts to the Memorial Park/downtown area. In the past, the city has provided a single loudspeaker and microphone for events and has collaborated with Jordan River Arts Council to provide a sound system for bands. Both of these have been helpful but are underpowered for the size of Memorial Park, are becoming outdated, and are lacking in professional quality. Grant funds will help the City to purchase an appropriate PA system as well as a sound system to attract more and better bands and entertainment to downtown East Jordan.

Great Lakes Center for the Arts Award: $4,000

The Great Lakes Center for the Arts' Dorothy Gerber Strings Program (DGSP) provides string music instruction to students in our region, about half of whom reside and take classes in Charlevoix County. Grant funds will help to support Charlevoix County students learning music through the DGSP, specifically by providing instrument repairs and replacements, new sheet music, and operational support for programming in Charlevoix County.

Tunes Music Makers Award: $2,000

The mission of Tunes Music Makers is to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive musical community on Beaver Island, providing access to quality music education, fostering creativity, and promoting social cohesion. They provide music instruction, in person and virtually, as well as instrument lending, to the residents of Beaver Island. Two local instructors teach piano and acoustic, electric, and bass guitar in person. There are also virtual lessons for vocal, mandolin, and ukulele, and a monthly, virtual fiddle lesson with the Donegal Fiddlers group from Ireland. It has been a few years since any music program was offered for the youth of Beaver Island and there has never been one that was also open to adults, nor one that has offered such a wide variety of instruments and genres. The lessons are individual and private and each student is able to learn at their own pace. There has been more interest in the program than they initially projected, so grant funds will help to provide more students interested in music education the opportunity to participate without financial barriers.

Arts & Music

Crooked Tree Arts Center Grant Award: $3,000

Each week, CTAC welcomes a wide range of community members, from preschoolers to senior citizens, including those with physical disabilities. CTAC is working to upgrade and improve our studio furniture and space to create an accessible and welcoming learning environment that meets the needs of our diverse community. Grant funds will support the purchase of accessible tables and chairs to accommodate learners of different abilities, sizes, and physical needs.

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Community

Challenge Mountain of Walloon Hills, Inc Grant Award: $5,000

Challenge Mountain provides adaptive biking programs for special needs students in the Char-Em ISD at various schools and paved biking trails throughout Emmet and Charlevoix counties. Currently, staff transport bikes using either an open trailer or a box truck with a very old and slow lift. Both of these options involve tremendous physical effort for staff and volunteers to load and unload the large, heavy adaptive bikes. Grant funds will support purchasing an enclosed trailer, which is a more efficient option for transporting and storing adaptive bikes because it will keep bikes clean during transport, can load more bikes to meet more participants' adaptive biking needs, and bikes can be stored in the trailer out of the weather, extending their longevity.

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Education

Char-Em ISD Grant Award: $10,000

Many local families find themselves forced to choose between providing their child a preschool experience or meeting basic living needs. Paying for vital things like housing, transportation & food often take precedence over preschool tuition. In addition, COVID has prevented many children from attending preschool over the last couple of years, leading to behavioral & socialization issues. Two government programs (Head Start and the Great Start Readiness Program) provide free preschool to children based on financial need & risk factors. These federal & state funded programs fill to capacity quickly, leaving 40+ children in our area waiting for a preschool opportunity each year. The Great Start Preschool Scholarship Project (GSPSP) fills the State & Federal preschool funding gap in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties. Upon capacity of government funded preschool programs, GSPSP will use grant funds to provide preschool tuition for eligible children ages 3-5 in Charlevoix County.

Miigwech, Inc Grant Award: $2,500

Currently, Michigan is one of three states without dyslexia laws. However, legislative bills in the State House and Senate are expected to pass with bipartisan support in Fall 2024, requiring screening, intervention, and professional development for teachers to meet the needs of dyslexic students. Miigwech's mission is to promote a positive environment that encourages growth, critical thinking skills, reasoning, global conscience, respect for diversity, and education that is seated in the Anishinaabe Seven Grandfather Teachings. They are also a stakeholder in the pending Dyslexia Legislation. Grant funds will support delivery & facilitation of community workshops to raise awareness about dyslexia at 7 organizations serving Charlevoix County.

North Central Michigan College Foundation Grant Award: $25,000

NCMC's Career And Technical Education Enhancement (CATEE) Project is more than a vision; it's a $21 million investment to revolutionize education in healthcare, manufacturing, and skilled trades - three pivotal sectors shaping our regional, state, and national economies. This grant will focus on and support the workforce in technology, trades, and manufacturing, with the bulk of available jobs in these fields in Charlevoix County. Grant funds will help with building renovations to create more efficient and effective learning environments to train future healthcare, technology, and manufacturing workers.

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Environment

Little Traverse Conservancy Grant Award: $7,415

Stewardship can be defined very simply as wise care of the land, and if wisdom requires considering all the facts gained from experience, inherent then in stewardship, is the need to have deep knowledge of the lands that are being cared for because we can only conserve what we know. Thus, the critical need for LTC at this time of caring for over 26,000 acres of land is a need for more knowledge and information about the lands they manage. So, they launched the Ecological Conditions and Response (ECAR) program in 2023. Through a multi-year process with expert staff and partners, and with grant funds, LTC will identify, record, and develop a plan for the unique and special natural features they discover on their lands.

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Health

Beaver Island Rural Health Center Grant Award: $5,662

While there are a variety of options for caring for aging people, from nursing homes to assisted living facilities, one popular option is in-home care. This option is interesting to Island residents, since there are neither nursing homes nor assisted living facilities located on the Island. There also aren't any in-home care service providers on the Island, currently, but the BIRHC has a plan. Grant funds will support the initiative to educate and train home health care aides who will live and work on Beaver Island to help address the growing need for in-home care.

McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation Grant Award: $3,858

The national nursing shortage experienced throughout the country has become a disruptive and significant issue at McLaren Northern Michigan (MNM) as well. Starting a Nurse Intern Program is one of multiple strategies being implemented to increase their nursing staff. It addresses the immediate need for additional bedside support for current nurses while simultaneously preparing student nurses to enter the workforce upon completing their degrees. Grant funds will support Charlevoix County nursing students who want to enroll in the Nurse Intern Program.

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Housing

Housing North Grant Award: $50,000

A key ingredient missing in most rural communities is community development staff that can work with developers to coordinate partners, incentives, funding, and development opportunities. Communities themselves recognize this gap as well and have been working with Housing North to find solutions. The Housing Ready Program, piloted in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties, is a step towards this goal. A "housing ready" community is one in which there are opportunities for development that can create a variety of options for all people in the community. With grant funding support, the Housing Ready Program Coordinator will be helping the county fill this gap by guiding projects into the pipeline that address this need.

Northern Homes Community Development Corporation Grant Award: $65,000

Northern Homes CDC is working to build a 6-unit apartment community in Charlevoix. This project is a "missing middle" project; meaning that all units will be income and rent restricted to 120% of the area median income (AMI). The apartments are one-story townhouse style apartments. There will be two buildings with 3 units in each building. Each unit will have 2 bedrooms and two full bathrooms. The main bathroom will be barrier free for handicap accessibility and there will be a zero-step entry at the back door. The floorplan works well for families, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and roommates. Grant funds will help support this project, which will bring more affordable housing to our community

Northern Homes Community Development Corporation Grant Award: $7,000

It's time for Northern Homes CDC to create the next iteration of their organization's strategic plan. A lot has changed since the last strategic plan was created, in 2020. Northern Homes has also grown and become more complex. They have started new programs and undertaken new projects and partnerships. For this strategic plan, they have chosen to engage two consultants with extensive background and experience in the affordable housing field in Michigan. Grant funds will support the organization's development of a 2024-2028 strategic plan.

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Human Services

Boyne Eta Nu Charities Grant Award: $5,000

Many local families struggle to provide all essential needs for their family. Boyne Eta Nu Charities' "Dress For Chill" (DFC) program provides warm outerwear for pre-school and elementary school children in the Boyne City Public Schools. Grant funds will help to purchase winter jackets, snow pants, boots, hats and gloves for Boyne City children.

Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan Grant Award: $5,000

Kids grow best in families. Foster care can be a temporary safe haven for children whose parents are unable, for a variety of reasons, to care for them. Charlevoix County children in need of a foster home may have to be placed in a different county if there aren’t foster families available in Charlevoix County. This causes additional trauma for a child, as they may lose all their familiar surroundings and community supports, including their school, friends and proximity to relatives. To reduce trauma while keeping children safe, CFS needs more licensed foster homes within the county. Grant funds will support marketing and recruitment efforts in Charlevoix County.

Good Samaritan Family Services Grant Award: $7,000

Good Samaritan Family Services is working to increase awareness and support of the organization. First, they need new signage at both the Family Center and the Food Pantry. The current signs are old, wooden, and have fallen into disrepair, making them difficult to read. New signs will improve visibility and make it easier for people to find the services they need. Second, they plan to host an open house event to showcase the organization's resources and services, while also working to recruit new donors and volunteers. Success in both of these areas will allow the organization to serve more people in need.

Kiersten's Ride Grant Award: $7,500

Kiersten’s Ride is dedicated to bringing help, hope, and healing through suicide prevention programs in Northern Lower Michigan. It is important to allow for and create learning opportunities here in Northern Michigan to reduce geographical and financial barriers for life saving education. By providing professional caregivers with training opportunities, our most vulnerable community members will benefit. Grant funds will support conference expenses with a focus on speaker cost, continued education, and venue.

Northern Michigan Equine Therapy Grant Award: $8,000

The Farm Hand position at Northern MI Equine Therapy (NMET) provides daily care for therapy horses, (including feeding, grooming, cleaning stalls, and maintaining health,) maintains facilities and equipment, and assists during therapy sessions as needed. Without the Farm Hand's dedication and expertise, NMET's ability to deliver life-changing equine therapy services would be significantly compromised, negatively impacting the number of clients they could serve, many of whom depend on these programs for improved mobility, reduced anxiety, and enhanced social interactions. By growing direct therapy services, NMET will eventually be able to increase earned revenue with the long-term goal of sustaining this position. Until that goal can be achieved, grant funds will support the Farm Hand position, which will help the organization to build capacity for the future while continuing to meet needs in Charlevoix County today.

PoWer! Book Bags Grant Award: $5,000

During early childhood, especially ages 0-5, children need constant exposure to love, language, and literacy. Through interactions with parents & caregivers, children’s brains become wired for all future endeavors. Providing children and families with tools at home to promote interactions in the first five years of life improves the outcomes for all children. While adding just one book into a home increases the possibility for a child to do better, feeding children a steady diet of books, writing materials, & language play opportunities invites children to learn, grow, and thrive. There is a strong correlation between the number of books in the home and children's life success academically, socially, emotionally, and as future contributing members of society. Grant funds will help to purchase books and language materials for children in programs like the Maternal Infant Health Program, the Women, Infant, and Children’s Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC) & at the Immunization Clinics through the Health Department of NW MI.

Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan Grant Award: $35,000

In 2023, the Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) launched the Empowering Bright Futures campaign to secure funds for a new, renovated facility in Emmet County. A building purchase was approved by the Board of Directors in 2022 following an assessment of current facilities and projected needs and an exhaustive search for properties to rent or purchase. The site requires extensive renovations to meet building codes, and to best meet the needs of WRCNM's clients and programs. The total project cost is $5M and includes all interior components, security features, technology, privacy measures, children's outdoor play area, and all mechanical, plumbing, and electrical needs. The building exterior and footprint will remain, but the interior will be completely rebuilt to meet codes, create energy efficiency, and enhance WRCNM programs through the customized design, which includes thoughtful safety, privacy, and trauma reduction features for all WRCNM clients and families. Grant funds will specifically support the office of one Advocate serving Charlevoix and Emmet Counties at the new facility, approximately 1.02% of the total building square footage.

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Recreation

Charlevoix Area Community Pool Grant Award: $10,000

The Charlevoix Area Community Pool is now 26 years old. As the pool ages, so do the mechanical systems that control functions like pH, temperature, chlorine levels, alkalinity, volume, pump pressure, and much more. These and other important mechanical controllers are what ensures the safety and functionality of the pool for the public. The Charlevoix Pool has a plan to replace the aging mechanical equipment with new controllers that can also be accessed remotely by staff so they can be notified of and even fix issues remotely, day or night, as needed. Grant funds will help to purchase the new controller system.

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Youth

Charlevoix Kiwanis Youth Foundation Grant Award: $5,000

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) was previously championed by Char-Em United Way, but was discontinued. During the pandemic, children experienced learning loss in reading and literacy. The Charlevoix Kiwanis Youth Foundation is working to re-establish the DPIL in Charlevoix County, which sends age-appropriate books to children (one per month) from birth to age 5, at no cost to the family. Grant funds will support the costs to bring the DPIL back for Charlevoix County families and children.

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

The Michigan Crossroads Council, Boy Scouts of America, has been a steady partner for families facing the emotional and mental toll that has resulted from their children spending more time indoors, more time in front of screens, and less time spent with their peers. The organization's goal is to teach timeless values, strengthen leadership skills, and guide youth into becoming educated, enlightened, and responsible citizens. To help ensure that all youth can join the Scouting program and participate in the essential experiences of summer camp, a special assistance fund will be created with grant funds, to support families in the area who are unable to afford the full cost of Scouting.

Raven Hill Discovery Center Grant Award: $10,000

Raven Hill Discovery Center is where children and adults link science, history, & the arts through hands-on activities and explorations throughout its museum and outdoor exhibits. With years of success in offering programming for all ages, Raven Hill is taking steps toward transitioning from a primarily founder-led organization to one that will require a refined staffing model, engaged board of directors, and strategic fund development efforts to effectively support the Co-Founder and current CEO’s transition in five years. Grant funds will support staff and board members in implementing strategies that will establish RHDC as a high-functioning non-profit organization that will continue to serve our community for years to come.

Antrim Conservation District, DBA CAKE CISMA Award: $8,460

Invasive species present an enormous threat to Michigan’s biodiversity - second only to outright habitat destruction. CAKE CISMA, through the Antrim Conservation District, plans to use grant funds to jump-start a Native Plant Restoration Program to complement their existing Invasive Species Management Program. CAKE will promote revegetation with native plants as a strategy to improve the long-term effectiveness of invasive plant control efforts while also supporting pollinators/wildlife with ecologically beneficial species. Most invasive plant seeds love disturbed bare ground. Removal of invasive plants causes soil disturbance, so without native revegetation, the return of invasives is likely. During its inaugural year, the Native Plant Restoration Program will function as a pilot initiative accessible to residents, conservation groups, and schools within Charlevoix and Antrim Counties. The program will include a revegetation guide for landowners, a seed library, and staff time for additional events and educational efforts in Charlevoix County.

Camp Daggett Award: $8,000

There are areas of the Camp Daggett campus where the invasive species, autumn olive, is overtaking the vegetation and needs to be removed. The plant is difficult to eradicate, but Camp Daggett will partner with Habitat Landscaping to accomplish the task. Once the autumn olive is gone, they will install native, sustainable landscaping, including a diverse selection of native woody and perennial species. The new biodiversity will provide habitat for pollinators and birds as well as an education opportunity for campers. The renovated gardens will be used by the summer camp “nature” area director for camper curriculum as well as year-round as part of an upcoming campus-wide STEAM curriculum. Grant funds will support removal of invasive species and installation of sustainable, native landscaping.

Little Traverse Conservancy Award: $7,000

The Elizabeth B Hoffman Nature Preserve, a Little Traverse Conservancy (LTC) preserve in Charlevoix, currently has over 50 acres of agricultural land leased to a local farmer. The long-term plan for this preserve is to gradually transition these fields into native plant meadows that will provide habitat and beneficial relationships for wildlife and people. This fall, LTC plans to start this transition by planting native grasses in an 11.4 acre field after this year’s corn harvest. Many of Michigan’s grassland birds are declining due to a lack of habitat. This field will become a source of food and shelter for native insects and birds in the coming years. Grant funds will help start the work, by providing support for seeds and planting efforts.

St. James Township Award: $7,000

To accomplish their natural resources/recreation goals, St. James Township is working to protect, educate, and improve access at the Gull Harbor Natural Area (GHNA) on Beaver Island. High water, winds, and ice during the winter of 2021/2022 destroyed the interpretive signs and damaged the benches located along one of the hiking trails. With grant funds, they will replace the signage explaining the GHNA story, how to safely access the area, and to help people understand and enjoy the unique ecosystems on this property. Additionally, they will relocate the trail head to higher ground, protecting the two trail heads from motor vehicle traffic to allow better access.

Tara's Meadow Education & Retreat Center Award: $3,500

Tara’s Meadow Education & Retreat Center (TM) engages communities who are environmentally concerned, and creates educational opportunities for those with less environmental knowledge. This year Tara’s Meadow is focusing on local foods and ecological resilience on Beaver Island. With grant funds, they plan to bring Islanders together with expert presenters on soil regeneration, organic waste management, and local foods production. They will also spotlight ecological resilience by hosting “Team Monarch” during the BI Sustainability Week this June. They will bring in a Monarch Butterfly expert from Walloon Lake who will lead the planting of native forbs and collection of Monarch butterfly eggs and caterpillars to protect, raise, and release as butterflies in Charlevoix County.

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Award: $25,000

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council is planning the removal of Stover Creek dam, located near the mouth of the stream as it meets Lake Charlevoix near Ferry Avenue in Charlevoix. The dam is an old concrete structure that impounds a significant quantity of sediment, serves as a barrier to the migration of fish and other aquatic organisms, affects hydraulics, and may affect stream temperatures. Debris frequently builds up on the dam’s upstream face, causing flooding during high flows. If the dam fails and sediment is released, it will smother the benthic organisms and fish downstream and could lead to algal blooms at the mouth. Grant funds will help with removing the dam, restoring the stream channel profile, and creating instream habitat, such as step-pool-riffles and woody structure, along with streambank restoration, which will greatly benefit the overall connection between the stream and lake. Restoring the stream's hydrology will provide aquatic organism passage between the lake and stream, discharge cooler and better oxygenated water to the lake, and return normal sediment transport processes. The burden of flooding on adjoining properties will diminish and nearby infrastructure will be better protected as a result.

 

Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy Award: $5,000

The Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy (WLAC) is working to acquire a truck, essential for advancing their mission and vision of conserving Walloon Lake and its surrounding natural habitats. Staff currently rely on personal vehicles to maintain over 2,300 acres of land in numerous locations around Walloon Lake. This causes inefficiencies in their ability to maintain preserves, as not everyone's vehicle is equipped to transport equipment or handle uneven terrain, and comes at a cost to the organization in the form of mileage reimbursements. Using personal vehicles for preserve maintenance has confused preserve users when they see unbranded vehicles in places they shouldn't be e.g. active-use trails, field areas, etc. Grant funds will help purchase an organizational vehicle, which will greatly improve WLAC's efficiency and ability to complete necessary initiatives in environmental restoration and preservation.

Conservation Resource Alliance Awarded $75,000 over three years, in 2022

CRA is replacing three road crossings - Jordan River Road, East and West over the Jordan River, and Fuller Road over Deer Creek. The engineered design for the new crossings calls for full-spanning timber bridges that will be bundled under one contract and implemented over three years (2022 to 2024). Bundling the crossings together allows for cost savings on many fronts and is an efficient use of dollars, time, and management for all involved. The project will improve the overall health of the river and its surrounding habitat by restoring full passage for aquatic species at all life stages, opening a total of 12 miles upstream and 20 miles downstream. The new crossings also will drastically reduce erosion by eliminating 25 tons of sediment each year that currently enters the stream. This project is in it’s final stages, with construction to take place in 2024/2025

Boyne City Area

Boyne Citizen Grant Award: $12,197

The Boyne Citizen is a local, nonprofit news source for the Boyne area, created in response to the "news desert” in our local area. Currently, residents have no regular, reliable, unbiased media covering the local news that is necessary to be an informed citizen. Grant funds will help to support professional writers, and editorial and bookkeeping services.

Boyne District Library Grant Award: $1,672

To inspire later success in children and encourage family bonding, the Boyne District Library Children's Services will host a "Family Battle of the Books," which will meet once a month for four months, starting in January 2025. Families will read a book together, discuss it, and prepare for a fun quiz game at the library. Grant funds will support the purchase of books for families to read and keep as well as dinner to be served at the Battle of the Books event each month.

City of Boyne City Grant Award: $10,000

The City of Boyne City would like to engage the Community Heart & Soul initiative—a grass-roots program which emphasizes broad, locally-driven community engagement—to address the following recent challenges: declining consensus around goals and priorities, public skepticism about decision-making processes and the representation of diverse community voices. Grant funds will help engage the community with this resident-driven, field-tested program in identifying what they love most about their community, what future they want, and how to achieve it.

Boyne Valley Community Greenhouse Grant Award: $10,000

T he BVCG’s mission is to help break Northern Michigan's poverty cycle through support, education, hands-on learning, and positive interaction. This year alone, they have provided more than 28,000 pounds of fresh produce to families in need. Now, they are expanding to offer a community space with a classroom and commercial teaching kitchen which will be available to the public at no cost. The classroom space will allow BVCG to "teach people how to fish," so to speak, encouraging them to help themselves, in addition to continuing the important work of providing food directly. Grant funds will support the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment.

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Beaver Island

Beaver Island Wildlife Club Grant Award: $6,000

In 2021, the BIWC installed a modest fishing pier at Lake Genesereth—a popular spot for both locals and visitors. Building on this success, BIWC seeks to significantly expand the project by constructing a larger, ADA-compliant pier that would extend further into Lake Genesereth, ensuring that individuals of all physical abilities have the opportunity to enjoy fishing at one of the Island’s most beloved inland lakes. Grant funds will support the first fully accessible fishing pier on the Island.

Beaver Island Performing Arts Alliance Grant Award: $1,000

Many Islanders work during the summer making it possible for visitors to enjoy BIPAA's offerings, but at the cost of missing many of the events during the busy season. With intentional timing during Small Business Weekend, the proposed holiday concert and outreach not only communicates to Island residents how important they are to the BIPAA mission but also invites them to shop downtown and enjoy the music and sense of community. Grant funds will help support a holiday concert for the entire BI community followed by an in-school performance and educational programming at the Beaver Island Community School.

Tunes Music Makers Grant Award: $9,000

TMM is the only organization currently offering music education on Beaver Island. They aim to expand access to music education for school-age children, thus enriching the educational and cultural experiences of students and providing access to consistent music education. Grant funds will allow the organization to bring in an Indigenous fiddle instructor and to continue offering music lessons.

Beaver Island Historical Society Grant Award: $3,000

In 2016, the BIHS acquired the Miss Bay City, a trap net fishing boat which has a long history of fishing the Beaver Island archipelago waters. The goal is to renovate the Miss Bay City into an interactive museum exhibit. This also enhances another project that St. James Township is leading—a public fishing pier connecting to the Marine Museum with a ramp to the Miss Bay City. Grant funds will specifically help with light renovations and painting of the Miss Bay City.

Beaver Island Rural Health Center Grant Award: $2,374

The BIRHC is doing tremendous work on the Island every single day. Whether it’s caring for the sick or injured, vaccinating people against COVID-19, or educating patients about health and wellness. Research has shown that the straightforward need to replace obsolete equipment, such as office desk chairs, helps make office operations more efficient and improves office morale. Grant funds will help the Center to replace the current 24 year old, worn-out office chairs with new office chairs.

Little Traverse Conservancy Grant Award: $11,250

L TC recognizes that BI is a very special place for people, culture, and wildlife and is seeking support to purchase and protect 40 acres of wetland property. Rare properties like this one are what maintain this essence for the Island—expanded wildlife habitat that offers a sanctuary for diverse species and preserves the natural beauty of BI for future generations, forever. Grant funds will help to purchase and protect this 40-acre wetland parcel.

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Charlevoix Area

Charlevoix Township Grant Award: $10,300

Charlevoix Township has a long-term goal to improve public accessibility to Lake Michigan at Charlevoix Township Park. This park currently provides a degree of public access; however, the beach and lake are inaccessible to many with mobility challenges due to the steep grade of the path connecting the parking lot to the beach. Grant funds will support an engineering study and conceptual site plan which will allow the Township to begin the planning to improve this access gap for all people.

Charlevoix Circle of Arts Grant Award: $10,000

CCA is seeking support for its community outreach programs to reach rural communities, particularly youth and lower-income families, which tend to have fewer cultural amenities. Grant funds will allow CCA to deliver free, high-quality cultural experiences at events such as Apple Fest and the Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting, and many more, to address this gap and work to ensure that all members of the community can engage with the arts.

Charlevoix Historical Society Grant Award: $6,000

CHS has been updating their technology to keep up with the demands of their mission, which is to enrich Charlevoix culture through preservation, education, and engaging experiences celebrating our history. Grant funds will help CHS to replace two old and outdated staff workstations with new equipment that has sufficient hard drive space, the functionality needed to meet the demands of the job, and the ability to be networked to the new server.

Bergmann Center Grant Award: $8,625

Bergmann Center has been serving individuals with developmental, physical, and/or mental disabilities for over 60 years. Recent staff changes and community engagement expansion efforts require an increase in capacity at the Center. Grant funds will support the necessary upgrading of internet equipment and connections to improve efficiency of all staff.

Charlevoix Area Community Pool Grant Award: $2,500

The Charlevoix Area Community Pool is reviving the Stingray Swim Team with the help of Megan Smithburg—a Charlevoix nurse and experienced swim coach. Being a part of a team enhances a child's swimming abilities, physical fitness, and confidence while teaching valuable life skills such as time management and discipline. Grant funds will help to re-start the program with the goal of being self-sustaining after this first year.

Traverse City Dance Project Grant Award: $2,000

T he mission of the TCDP is to produce and present professional dance in Northern Michigan, promoting collaboration among artists and actively engaging with the community. As the only professional dance company in the region, the TDCP aims to provide high-quality cultural experiences for all community members including enhancing accessibility to live theater, particularly in rural areas. Grant funds will support bringing a live, professional dance performance to Charlevoix in the summer of 2025 as part of TDCP's 2025 Community Tour.

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East Jordan Area

City of East Jordan Grant Award: $16,000

Memorial Park plays host to nearly all festivals and events in EJ throughout the year, boasts several sculptures as part of the Jordan Art Walk, and hosts boaters, tourists, and locals on a daily basis. Grant funds will support park upgrades and amenities, such as lighting and memorial benches, as part of the current Memorial Park Improvements Project.

Friends of the Jordan River Watershed Grant Award: $20,000

FJR now serves as the head end for the new Don and Eileen Klein Nature Trail. Increased traffic at the FJR Watershed Center has created more interest around the authentic Jordan River flatboat used for fishing in the 1800s. The exhibit, housed in the on-site pavilion, needs restoration and protection from the elements to preserve this piece of EJ history for the future. Grant funds will support a professional redesign of the permanent year-round exhibit that will survive the elements and further inform visitors of this important legacy in EJ history.

Training Wheels Childcare Center Grant Award: $10,275

TWCC provides quality childcare by promoting the growth of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs while recognizing that each child is unique and treasured. In order to do this, they must continue improving the childcare center and offering rich learning experiences for East Jordan's precious children. Grant funds will help TWCC to purchase a play structure called the "Smart Play Nook" which will provide sensory, motor skill, cognitive and social skill engagement, and enhancement for children from 6 months and older.

East Jordan Public Schools Grant Award: $18,000

In the past, East Jordan High School performed yearly musical productions that were the pride of the community. After a 13 year hiatus, they are restarting the drama program thanks to staff member and drama program coordinator, Cody Morrison. Grant funds will help to replace the speaker system and amplifiers to provide a quality learning experience for students and performances for the community.

The Depot Jordan Valley Teen Center Grant Award: $6,000

The Depot provides a safe and supportive environment at the Teen Zone facility in downtown EJ where teens have opportunities to be active, interact with peers, build confidence, and learn responsible decision making. Grant funds will help to purchase and install appropriate fencing to increase the safety and security of EJ teens.

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Urgent Needs

Ronald McDonald House of Western MI Grant Award: $10,000

When a child is facing a medical crisis, the entire family is deeply affected on a financial, psychological, emotional, and social level. By providing families a place to stay, home cooked meals, transportation assistance, and much more, RMHCWM is helping families navigate some of the hardest times in their lives. In the past year, they've served seven families from Charlevoix County and saved them a collective $9,653, not including transportation costs. Grant funds would continue to support Charlevoix County families who need the RMHCWM due to a child's illness. While they have requested $10,000, we know that the real need in any given year could be much higher.

Beaver Island Historical Society Amount Awarded: $1,200

The BIHS proposes a collaborative project with the BI Community Center and BI Chamber of Commerce to increase winter activities in the community by providing snowshoes for people to borrow to explore the Island. Grant funds will help to purchase 32 pairs of snowshoes to accomodate various ages and weights.

Peaine Township Amount Awarded: $1,000

Peaine Township is a local government entity on BI dedicated to serving and engaging the community, with the mission of enhancing transparency and communication. Grant funds will help the township to purchase video monitors and related equipment to make board meetings accessible to the public even if not physically present.

Northern Michigan Equine Therapy Amount Awarded: $1,000

Leadership Charlevoix County Class of 2024 has partnered with NMET - a nonprofit outpatient rehabilitation facility where they harness the healing power of horses to improve lives as a therapeutic tool in occupational therapy (hippotherapy) and their specially developed mental health program, HorseSense® - for their class project. Grant funds will help provide several scholarships for Charlevoix County residents.

First Congregational Church - UCC Amount Awarded: $1,000

FCC was advised by a tree service company that the 150 year old horse chestnut tree between the church and the Historical Society Museum is compromised and should be taken down ASAP. Grant funds will support the professional removal of the tree to eliminate the risk to the adjacent buildings and surrounding grounds.

Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association Amount Awarded: $1,500

TOMBBA is seeking funding for trail counters to measure which trails get the most use, so they can more accurately understand the existing impact of their efforts and where they can improve. Grant funds would purchase trail head counters for TOMMBA to better assess the impact of their projects and mission.

Last Dance Rescue Ranch Amount Awarded: $1,240

LDRR serves as permanent, lifelong sanctuary for domestic and farm animals, focusing on elderly animals or those with special medical needs. They need an easy-to-navigate website, which will allow them to better communicate their mission, provide education, aid in fundraising, and keep the public updated about animals' conditions or when they have availability to take on more animals. Grant funds will support website development.

Boyne Arts Collective Amount Awarded: $1,500

The Boyne Arts Center is bringing interactive art activities to Stroll the Streets this summer, as well as Plein Air painters and artist demos once a month, as part of their mission to inspire, serve, and strengthen community through the arts. Grant funds will help to purchase art supplies and materials for the activities.

Boyne Heritage Center Amount Awarded: $1,105

BHC’s is bringing living history activities to Stroll the Streets where staff or volunteers will dress in historic clothes and engage in lumber camp activities - like storytelling, sharpening tools, and playing cards - as part of their renewed vision of bringing history out into the community. Grant funds will help purchase historical clothing in line with early 1900s workwear and the reproduction of a leather dock worker's apron.

First Tee Northern Michigan Amount Awarded: $1,000

The “Golf in Schools” program aims to promote character development and values education through the game of golf for students ages 5-17 in Chx Cty schools. Grant funds will support program expansion to more schools.

Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra Amount Awarded: $1,200

The GLCO wishes to create a unique opportunity for local community players to perform alongside the orchestra in an upcoming concert with the aim to empower local musicians and create meaningful connections. Grant funds will support expenses related to the cost of sheet music acquisition and preparing 15-20 community players for the performance.

Northern Community Mediation Amount Awarded: $1,500

NCM's computers need to be replaced to be compatible with statewide systems and programs such as the State Court Administrative Office, Special Education, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Grant funds will help cover the contractual expenses for the installation of four computers.

Beaver Island Community School Amount Awarded: $1,500

BICS’ project seeks to address the Island’s quality child care crisis in two ways: to gather data on the "child care landscape" of BI and provide recommendations of options available to Island residents, businesses, and local governments to address the situation. Grant funds will support the childcare landscape assessment on BI.

Versiti Blood Center of Michigan Amount Awarded: $1,500

As the sole blood bank servicing Charlevoix County, Versiti plays a crucial role in sustaining our local healthcare system and saving lives through vital blood donations. Grant funds will support supplies expenses and travel costs to and from the Island for blood drive staff.

Community Reformed Church Amount Awarded: $1,000

Safe Haven Ministries (SHM) of the CRC has been supplying Charlevoix Area students with school supplies for the last eight years; however, the cost of supplies and the number of families have increased and donations have not kept up with demand. Grant funds will support closing the gap, so SHM can continue to serve the community.

Beaver Island Association Amount Awarded: $600

The BIA is hosting a dedication event to showcase the new Dark Sky Sanctuary on BI. Grant funds will help them to print dark sky viewing maps and dark sky educational materials for the event and for future educational use.

Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity Amount Awarded: $1,500

During their most recent strategic plan, NWMI Habitat for Humanity identified the goal of improving and growing their volunteer management program. Grant funds will support the addition of a new volunteer management software which works seamlessly with Habitat's existing software.

Preservation Association of Beaver Island Amount Awarded: $600

The BI Community Center is committed to providing free to low cost musical concerts to the community. This year, the Community Christmas concert will showcase Island youth and the songs they are learning on instruments through the Tunes Music Makers program. Grant funds will support the holiday concert.

Au Sable Institute Amount Awarded: $1,500

ASI’s Restoration Ecology for Young Students (REYS) program is a multi-lesson, field and classroom-based program that actively engages students in authentic ecological restoration to help conserve and protect local environments. Grant funds will provide Charlevoix County students with 1,000 native plants to be used in their restoration project that will take place within the students’ home watershed.

Beaver Island Rural Health Center Grant Award: $3,323

In order for the BIRHC to maintain optimum hygienic conditions, the Center needed to address a problem it had in cleaning and disinfecting the Health Center's high touch surfaces in the waiting rooms, including seating for all ages and furniture for children. Grant funds helped the BIRHC to purchase new seating and waiting room furniture that comply with today's cleaning standards and will last for years to come.

Beaver Island Rural Health Center Grant Award: $4,460

Primary care pediatric nurse practitioners offer a continuum of care to patients from birth through adolescence. Grant funds are supporting bringing a pediatric nurse practitioner to the Island for a total of 8 visits in 2025 to help gauge the need for this service, and to provide services to Island residents.

Boyne Valley Pantry Grant Award: $3,000

The Boyne Valley Pantry currently serves over 200 families per month, which is a 25% increase from last year. They needed to replace their double door, 49 cubic foot food cooler because it was leaking water on the food products and no longer kept food at a consistent temperature. Grant funds went towards the purchase of a new food and health regulation compliant cooler.

Camp Daggett Grant Award: $1,000

Camp Daggett welcomes over 1,000 campers in 8 weeks of summer camp and hosts school and community groups year-round in their indoor adventure center and climbing facility. They used to share a single operational AED device across the entire campus, which spans 140 acres with multiple buildings. Grant funds helped purchase another AED unit and training module to improve access to this critical safety equipment at camp.

Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan Grant Award: $5,000

CFS currently has 5 licensed foster homes in Charlevoix County, which house 7 children in foster care, 1 family who has been reunified, and soon expect to have several Safe Haven North clients. Grant funds helped address shelter repairs, utilities, safety equipment, food, healthcare, transportation, and other essential items for children and families in and/or from Charlevoix County involved in the foster care system or Safe Haven North.

Manna Food Project Grant Award: $21,250

The number of people seeking assistance from the Manna Food Project increased by 56% between 2022 and 2023, and by 11% in Charlevoix County alone. Manna’s mission is to not only feed our neighbors, but also to provide a well-balanced and nutritious diet, ensuring everyone has access to healthy foods. Grant funds helped purchase fresh produce, protein, and dairy products, to connect those who are food insecure with the healthiest options possible.

Northmen Den Youth Pantries Inc. Grant Award: $5,000

Round Lake Education Center (RLEC) is a court-facilitated program for adjudicated high school-aged youth in Charlevoix County that focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment and seeks to help youthful offenders reform and reintegrate into society. While NDYP has pantries all over Emmet County, this pantry at RLEC is the only one in Charlevoix County. Grant funds helped provide food for students at RLEC.

Ronald McDonald House of Western MI Grant Award: $10,000

RMHCWM is helping families navigate some of the hardest times in their lives by providing them with a place to stay, home cooked meals, transportation assistance, and much more, while children receive medical care. In the past year, they've served seven families from Charlevoix County and saved them a collective $9,653, not including transportation costs. Grant funds have ensured the continued support of Charlevoix County families who need RMHCWM due to a child's illness.

Mental Health

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan, Inc. Grant Awarded: $12,600

Big Brothers Big Sisters has currently matched 50 children with dedicated mentors in Charlevoix County and already has nine youth on the waitlist. When children are paired with compassionate, trained mentors, they gain a trusted ally who can guide them through life's challenges and complexities while providing a safe space where vulnerability is welcomed. Funds will support matching five youth with mentors.

Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan Grant Awarded: $5,000

CFSNWMI seeks to create an Outdoor Oasis space for families to use at Safe Haven North. Creating physical space for positive interactions during supervised visits reduces the stress levels of youth and children. Adults, too, do better when there is something that facilitates interaction with their child or teen. Funds will supply the safety-approved, heavy-duty swingset with a chin-up bar.

Child Abuse Prevention & Education Council Grant Awarded: $5,000

The CAPE Annual Conference, held each spring, hosts nationally recognized speakers to provide professional development opportunities to the diverse field of individuals working with children, families, and parents. Attendees learn how to better understand and engage with youth who may be in crisis and gain tools to support positive relationships between youth, parents, and community members as they navigate social and emotional development together. Funds will help support the overall conference including marketing, venue, presenters, lodging, continued education credits, food and beverage, and supplies.

East Jordan Public Schools Grant Awarded: $10,000

Students learn best when all of their needs are met and they are supported within the school environment. EJ Elementary School found that students and staff identified self-management and self-awareness as areas of behavior struggles, with the classroom and playground as the most common sites for referrals. Funds will help purchase supplies and social-emotional regulation tools for spaces in 25 classrooms, the Student Success Room, playground, and indoor hallway.

Northern Michigan Equine Therapy Grant Awarded: $2,500

Replacing old equipment enhances the safety, comfort, and overall experience of clients and therapy horses for effective equine assisted experiences. To continue delivering high-quality, safe, and effective services, NMET needs new saddles, adaptive stirrups and tack, helmets, horse care equipment, and protective gear for horses. Funds will help purchase new tack and equipment for therapy services.

Planned Parenthood of Michigan Grant Awarded: $8,000

PPMI seeks to create a digital and printed sexual health education resource toolkit for youth and supportive adults to provide continuous, reliable information and resources. The toolkit goes beyond a single interaction, providing education and advocacy in a new and more sustainable way, while also providing more autonomy, agency and self-determination for youth. Funds will support the creation of the toolkit, a youth and adult advisory board, and continuation of comprehensive, medically accurate and inclusive sexual health education at East Jordan Middle High School and Charlevoix High School.

The Depot Jordan Valley Teen Center Grant Awarded: $2,750

The Depot provides programming, mentoring, classes, and various resources to East Jordan teens in 6th-12th grades throughout northern Michigan. Funds will allow the Depot staff to send their teens to equine therapy sessions as an extension of the mentoring and connections they have already created.

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Recreation

Beaver Island Historical Society Grant Awarded: $4,000

BIHS’ Kids Camp—a week long daytime camp for 50, mostly local, youth from 4-13 years of age—builds upon wellbeing, sense of place, acceptance and cultural diversity. Customized daily programs incorporate cultural themes, explore the natural landscape, and teach Island history; activites are led by young adults to encourage leadership skills. Funds will help offset the costs of labor, food, and supplies.

Camp Daggett Grant Awarded: $4,000

Downtown Daggett, located at the heart of CD, holds significant potential as a key, centrally located social and functional hub for camp counselors. CD would like to revitalize Downtown Daggett to provide a unique and peaceful gathering space for counselors to unwind during camp week. Funds will support landscaping to address runoff issues and the creation of a hammock lounge.

Crooked Tree Arts Center Grant Awarded: $5,000

The CTAC School of Ballet trains young people for careers in dance, stagecraft, screendance, lighting, choreography, pedagogy, and Special Needs Artistic Movement. Student choreographers are responsible for creative production, rehearsals, costuming, music, stage light design, working with the stage manager, and publicly speaking about their work. Funds will support a professional dance mentor residency to work with a group of pre-professional dance students in enriching confidence, self-motivation, and a sense of community.

Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Grant Awarded: $8,585

Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. With diverse experiences in STEM, outdoor activities, life skills, and entrepreneurship, GSMISTS programming equips girls with critical skills like teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving, preparing them for success in the region and beyond. Funds will provide essential starter kits, financial aid, and vital program support to new Girl Scout Troops in the Charlevoix County region.

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Education

North Central Michigan College Foundation Grant Awarded: $8,500

In 2024, over an eight-week session, NCMC hosted 240 local students across 32 classes, from STEM subjects to the Arts, in their Summer Learning Academy (SLA) program for students in 3rd-8th grade. This program offers students early exposure to the college environment, familiarizes families with NCMC’s resources and programs, and empowers students to pursue future educational and personal development opportunities. Funds will support scholarships and program expenses to ensure Charlevoix County residents can participate.

PoWeR! Book Bags Grant Awarded: $10,000

PBB's mission is to increase children’s experiences with language, literacy, and human interactions so that they can better understand themselves, communicate with others, and connect with the world. They partner with community organizations and sites to provide an ongoing supply of literacy materials, suggested activities, and developmental guidelines directly to children and families in their network. Funds will help purchase materials for PoWeR! Book Bags.

Raven Hill Discovery Center Grant Awarded: $5,000

RHDC’s mission is to provide a place that enhances hands-on and lifelong learning for all ages by connecting science, history and the arts. The Here or There (HOT) Project is a flexible model for students and teachers to access hands-on learning offered by RHDC through a traditional field trip or an outreach program that brings lessons to the classroom. Funds will offer one field trip/outreach program to 50 students, in addition to teachers and chaperones, at 10 Charlevoix County schools.

Beaver Island Performing Arts Alliance Granted: $1,000
The Beaver Island Performing Arts Alliance (BIPAA) produces the Baroque on Beaver music festival and promotes the performing arts to enrich the cultural life of the greater Beaver Island community. In particular, BIPAA provides the opportunity to experience world-class professional performances of both classical and contemporary music. This year, BIPAA aims to strengthen the Baroque on Beaver festival chorus by supporting four choral scholars to perform in the chorus. In recent years, the number of strong amateur singers who have participated in the past has declined, while the importance of choral music in the overall festival has increased. Bringing on professionally trained singers ensures that the quality of the festival chorus will match the high quality of the festival orchestra. Besides strengthening the chorus, choral scholars will gain valuable professional experience, including the unique opportunity to sing with a full orchestra.

Charlevoix Circle of Arts Granted: $1,000

Charlevoix Circle of Arts (CCA) will use their grant award to support core arts programming, which provides children and adults in Charlevoix and surrounding communities with opportunities for expression, connection, and creating through a variety of arts experiences, including fine art exhibits, art workshops, dance classes, youth programs, and lectures. CCA has an increased need for program funding as demand for programs continues to grow. Based on community feedback, CCA recently expanded its offerings to include Art-Ventures, a children’s after school art program, and in the coming months, CCA is also planning to add a ceramics/pottery program with classes for multiple ages and skill levels.

Charlevoix Historical Society Granted: $4,500

The Charlevoix Historical Society is producing a new exhibit on the maritime history of Charlevoix, which will open at the Harsha House Museum during the 2023 summer season. The display will include over 250 historic images, plus relevant text and maritime artifacts. The exhibit will include topics like: Indigenous Relationships to Water, Improving Waterways (bridges, docks, channels, lighthouses), Coast Guard, Shipwrecks, Vessels, (Steamers, Schooners, Tugs, Passenger Liners, Yachts), Personal Stories from the Lakes, Commerce and Industry (Fishing, Lumbering, Boatbuilders), Regattas and Recreation. Funds will be used to create professional exhibit displays.

Crooked Tree Arts Center Granted: $2,000

Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) is working to update and beautify the CTAC Theater. Situated in the sanctuary of the former Petoskey United Methodist Church in downtown Petoskey, the 220-seat CTAC Theater is a cornerstone in our northern Michigan community. It is not only home to CTAC’s performing arts series but also serves as community resource for other area nonprofit programming, including the Little Traverse Civic Theater, Blissfest Music Organization, Charlevoix Circle of the Arts, and more. Funds will help to repair and paint the walls, stage, ceilings, trusses, windows, doors, and replace the carpeting as part of a $68,000 capital improvement project.

East Jordan Public Schools Granted: $6,000

East Jordan Public Schools is improving infrastructure for arts displays and performances at the school. Purchasing lightweight, durable, professional art display panels will elevate the quality of student art shows and increase student confidence and pride in their art. Replacing the projection screen in the community auditorium and upgrading the screen to be controlled from one location in the auditorium will improve the efficiency and quality of student and community performances. Funds will be used to purchase these important upgrades, thus enhancing the experience for students and the community.

Great Lakes Center for the Arts Granted: $3,500
In the past three years the Dorothy Gerber String Program has almost doubled its enrollment to 200 students, 50 of whom are from Charlevoix County. Through the program, students may participate in free classes for violin, viola, cello, and bass offered in 11 different schools for beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. These free classes are offered in three Charlevoix County schools: East Jordan, Boyne City, and Charlevoix, plus private lessons for Beaver Island students. As the region's only string instrument education program, the DGSP offers Northern Michigan families and students an opportunity to learn a musical instrument at a young age and to continue their musical education as they move through school. The funds will be used in direct support of the free class program serving Charlevoix County schools and students.

Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra Granted: $4,500
The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra (GLCO) is planning to host “Women Composers Night,” a concert that will be dedicated to orchestral works of women composers. The GLCO selected this theme in their continued efforts to promote gender equality in arts. Female artists in visual arts, literature, and music have been in the shadow of their male counterparts for centuries. Film directors, producers, authors, and conductors around the world are recognizing this disparity and calling for change through the use of their platforms. Dedicating the September 2023 concert to women composers is another step in the GLCO’s commitment to breaking the barriers of gender inequality in the arts. Funds will help make this production possible for the community.

Raven Hill Discovery Center Granted: $5,000

Raven Hill Discovery Center’s mission is to provide a place that enhances hands-on and lifelong learning for all ages by connecting science, history & the arts. Raven Hill will host another Smithsonian Museum on Main Street (MoMS) exhibit called "Spark! Places of Innovation in Rural America," which will be open from late August to early October, 2023. The Center will use this grant to help cover September and early October 2023 field trips for Charlevoix County students to experience the national Spark! exhibition and the Center’s related exhibits.

Tara's Meadow Education & Retreat Center Granted: $2,500
Tara's Meadow (TM) has hosted group retreats, individual sojourns, and collaborative events on Beaver Island and on the mainland in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties. Weaving nature, culture, history, and creativity with current social and environmental challenges, they prepare individuals and organizations to become empowered participants in their own lives, the health of their communities, and our global future. The Anishinaabe Water Ceremony, Celtic Blessing, and Strawberry Moon Feast are annual events that anchor the well-attended Beaver Island Sustainability Fair each June. Their purpose is to bring people together to honor and share in traditions from both Anishinaabe/Odawa and Irish/Celtic heritage. Funds will help support this important cultural event.

Arts

Charlevoix Circle of Arts Grant Awarded: $5,000
CCA programs provide children and adults in Charlevoix and surrounding communities with opportunities for expression, connection, and creation through a variety of arts experiences, including fine art exhibits, art workshops, dance classes, youth programs, and lectures. CCA has an increased need for program funding because the demand for programs continues to grow. This grant will help CCA in developing new programs and continuing to provide existing, high-quality programs.

Crooked Tree Arts Center Grant Awarded: $5,000
Situated in the sanctuary of a former church in downtown Petoskey, the 220-seat theater is not only home to Crooked Tree Arts Center’s performing arts series and a multitude of arts-related events, but also serves as community resource for other area nonprofit programming. Thousands from across the region attend artistic events in the CTAC Theater each year. Most recent renovations to the theater occurred over 20 years ago and this essential community arts space has begun to deteriorate. Grant funding will help to paint the walls, ceiling, and trusses.

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Culture and History

Northern Michigan Antique Fly Wheelers Club Grant Awarded: $2,300
NMAF is an educational nonprofit comprised solely of volunteers that hosts an annual show in July which is open to the public and provides a look at life in rural northern Michigan prior to electricity. All Charlevoix County schools, public and private, participate in educational days for fourth grade field trips in September. Grant funds will be used toward the purchase of a new commercial gas grill to replace the old grill. The new grill will be easy for volunteers to use and will improve efficiency of food service by reducing wait times for event attendees while also increasing revenue for the organization.

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Community

Beaver Island Historical Society Grant Awarded: $4,000
BIHS works to preserve and share the unique history of Beaver Island and the Archipelago though museums and publications. Recently, the BIHS expanded their capacity and saved the local paper, the Northern Islander, from becoming defunct. BIHS publications help provide a platform for unity as an Island community and help bridge the gap between mainland and Island opportunities. Grant funds will help BIHS to purchase some needed equipment to support the production of the Northern Islander newspaper.

City of Boyne City Grant Awarded: $10,000
By combining traditional public safety methods with drones, the Boyne City Police Department (BCPD) and its partners can significantly improve missions involving the protection of life and preservation of property. In an effort to ensure that they are positioned to help, especially when minutes matter, BCPD is continually seeking out more effective, efficient, and safe ways to act on behalf of those who need them most, when they need them most. This grant will support the acquisition of 4 drones that will be available to all of Charlevoix County through partnerships with BCPD and other first responding agencies.

City of Boyne City Grant Awarded: $4,450
Local trail systems in the Boyne Area have expanded in the last few years, resulting in a large increase of 911 responses to the trail system to perform remote rescues for injured bikers. Access to the areas is complex and many areas where bikers need assistance can be miles from the place where first responders gain access. Boyne EMS partnered with Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association in 2021 to obtain a specialized litter wheel to help with remote rescues. Now, grant funds will help to purchase an appropriate basket to use with the wheel for remote rescues.

North Central Michigan College Foundation Grant Awarded: $15,000
With fewer high school graduates, and those graduates going on to college at a lower percentage, combined with COVID-related retirements, the workforce in critical industries has decreased dramatically. Seeing this problem, NCMC introduced Fast Track programs. These non-credit programs are short, intensive, and offered in a variety of fields such as Health Care, Manufacturing, Skilled Trades, and Business. Grant funds will help provide financial support to students to enroll and complete Fast Track programs so they can start filling local jobs and earn a livable wage to support their families.

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Environment

Little Traverse Conservancy Grant Awarded: $12,500
LTC has the rare opportunity to protect 56 undeveloped acres of pristine forest on Lake Michigan, the largest piece from the Mackinac Bridge to Charlevoix with 1/4 mile of shoreline. Grant funds will help LTC to protect this special place as a nature preserve complete with a universally accessible trail to view the splendor of Little Traverse Bay.

Village of Boyne Falls Grant Awarded: $2,000
The Village of Boyne Falls is helping to determine the fate of the Boyne Falls Dam that is under their ownership and impounds the pond near the M-75 and US-131 intersection. The dam has surpassed its 100-year lifespan and scores a significant hazard potential rating. The Village and partners are pursuing funding for a feasibility study to explore removing the aging dam, restoring a healthy stream channel, returning the river to its relic pattern, determining new crossing options for the connected M-75 and Cherry Hill Road sites, and attending to the century-old, upstream remnants of the former grist mill dam and railroad bridge. Grant funds will help develop and print an outreach pamphlet that will describe the overall project and help to clarify confusion about which dam is being discussed.

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Health

Beaver Island Rural Health Center Grant Awarded: $2,094
BIRHC will improve patient care with two high-priority purchases: a trauma room stretcher/gurney and specialized x-ray software. The stretcher/gurney has been in service for well over the recommended lifespan. With the Center's recent and strategic investment in a new x-ray machine, Center clinicians now have an opportunity to take speedier and more accurate x-rays by adding specialized software. This ensures patient callbacks are kept to a minimum, reducing patient exposure to radiation, and offers expeditious and accurate care for patients. Grant funds will help with both purchases, improving patient experience and care.

City of Charlevoix Grant Awarded: $2,000
Through the development of a new health and wellness initiative called Charlevoix Fit, the City of Charlevoix Recreation Department hopes to help reduce obesity and the prevalence of chronic disease by providing opportunities to increase physical activity in a variety of forms; provide a connection to nature, which studies demonstrate relieves stress levels, improves interpersonal relationships, and improves mental health; and foster overall wellness and healthful habits and engage users in opportunities that enrich or add balance to life. Grant funds will support hiring fitness instructors for the first year of this new program.

East Jordan Ambulance Association Grant Awarded: $7,000
In order to continue meeting its mission of delivering exceptional patient care, the East Jordan Ambulance Association must ensure the quality training, education, and wellbeing of the crew, as well as have adequate facilities in which to operate. The proposed expansion of the main station facility will include a fitness center, a boardroom, a drive-through wash bay, and additional offices and storage. With this expansion project, they have an opportunity to remain stationed at the current location, build something to benefit both EMS and the Fire Department, and provide a new facility for the City, Schools, and Department of Public Works of East Jordan. Grant funds will help EJAA to get initial designs and schematics for the project.

Hospice of Michigan Grant Awarded: $7,500
As loved ones go through their unique grief journey, Hospice of Michigan’s (HOM) Grief Support Services are there to provide guidance, compassion, and care. Grief Support Services offer grieving and bereavement counseling tailored to meet the needs of both adults and children who are grieving regardless of whether they or a loved one was cared for by HOM. Grant funds will help to provide Grief Support Services to Charlevoix County residents in 2023.

Northern Michigan Equine Grant Awarded: $8,000
NMET is dedicated to using the healing nature of horses as a therapeutic tool to enhance independence, self-confidence, and quality of life for those living with physical and mental health needs. Programs are offered by licensed and certified professionals. From autism, depression, at-risk youth and high anxiety, to spinal cord injuries and strokes, their promise is simple - horses heal humans. Due to inflation, costs of horse feed, hay, supplements, and vet care have increased exponentially. Grant funds will be used toward therapy horse costs.

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Human Services

Northern Community Mediation Grant Awarded: $10,000
NCM helps people meaningfully and cost-effectively resolve their conflicts by providing mediation services as an alternative to litigation. In March, NCM fulfilled a long-time goal of owning its own facility with handicap accessibility, convenient parking for clients, technological capacity, and a professional appearance. The office provides more capacity for the organization to meet their mission, but it was unexpected. Grant funds will help NCM with this one-time unexpected increase in operational costs.

Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan Grant Awarded: $18,000
The Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) was developed in response to an identified need for community services that address child sexual assault, sexual abuse, physical abuse/neglect, and any other form of harm inflicted on children and youth. The nationally recognized, evidence-based CAC model has been shown to reduce further traumatization, improve access to supportive resources, and increase offender accountability. Grant funds will help support the CAC for Charlevoix County families.

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Recreation

Challenge Mountain Grant Awarded: $1,906
Winter adaptive recreation is the core of Challenge Mountain’s year-round programming and volunteer ski instructors have always been the heart of the organization. It has been over twelve years since Challenge Mountain purchased volunteer ski instructor jackets and the supply no longer serves the growing number of volunteers. Jackets help participants and their families identify volunteer ski instructors, snowmobile drivers, and helpers on the ski hill and also builds pride and awareness among volunteers both at the ski hill and in the community.

Charlevoix Area Community Pool Grant Awarded: $10,000
The CACP is celebrating 25 years in operation in 2023 and will use grant support to build capacity and replace aging equipment. Labor shortages in our area have made recruiting lifeguards a challenge. At the same time, the community is looking for the pool to be open more on weekends. Grant funds will help the pool to run more lifeguard trainings and recruit more lifeguards with the goal of being open for a few hours on Sundays to meet community need. Additionally, funds will help the pool get a new pool vacuum to replace the old one, which is increasingly unreliable.

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Youth

Char-Em ISD – Great Start Collaborative Grant Awarded: $10,000
Two government programs provide free preschool to children based on financial need and risk factors, but they leave a gap in eligibility, which leaves many children in need of support. The Great Start Preschool Scholarship Project (GSPSP) fills the State & Federal preschool funding gap in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties. Going beyond the capacity of government-funded preschool programs, GSPSP provides preschool tuition for eligible children ages 3-5 and placement into preschool programs that participate in the state's Quality Improvement Process. Funds will help place Charlevoix County students in need into quality preschool programs and could also help some families in need to keep their children in tuition based preschool if their circumstances change unexpectedly during the year.

East Jordan Public Schools Grant Awarded: $10,000
Boswell Stadium, at East Jordan Public Schools, is a place where students are and have been challenged, supported, and nurtured. This gathering space is important for the entire community. Grant funds will help support phase 1 improvements to Boswell Stadium, including bathroom upgrades, repairing the area in front of the concession stand, and replacing the damaged flagpole.

Power Book Bags Grant Awarded: $1,000
The mission of PoWeR! Book Bags is to increase children's experiences with language, literacy, and human interactions so that they better understand themselves, communicate with others, and connect with the world. Early relational health is fundamental to future health, and life success depends on the daily interactions with parents and caregivers in a child's world. PoWeR! Book Bags works in conjunction with community partners to bring parents/caregivers resources to use at home with their children to promote language, literacy, and early relational health. With each visit to a strategic community partner (like the Health Department or Women's Resource Center), children and families are invited to select new, age-appropriate books. Once a year, they also receive a PoWeR! Literacy Bag with brand new age-appropriate tools to promote language, play, and interactions. Grant funds will help purchase books and literacy materials for children in Charlevoix County.

Antrim Conservation District, DBA CAKE CISMA Granted: $5,000
The Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, and Emmet Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CAKE CISMA) is one of twenty-two CISMA's located throughout the State of Michigan. They work to protect the natural resources, economy, and human health of Northern Lower Michigan through collaborative outreach and management of invasive species. During the summer field season, they travel the four-county region, making at least 400 individual site visits to map and treat invasive species. In addition to on-the-ground management, CAKE CISMA also participates in many outreach events to raise awareness about the impact of invasive species on Michigan's environment. To grow their capacity they need a reliable, low-mileage truck to transport the crew and tow a trailer. Funds will help purchase a gently used vehicle from a local Northern Michigan dealership.

Beaver Island Historical Society Granted: $2,000
The Beaver Island Historical Society's (BIHS) mission includes not only sharing and preserving the local history, but also educating the public about the delicate balance of natural history and preserving resources to move toward a healthy Island ecosystem. BIHS plans to create a sustainable garden on the Print Shop Museum grounds filled with native pollinator-friendly plants. These plants will help sustain diminishing populations of vital pollinating insects and the interpretive signage they plan to install will educate the public about the flora, fauna, and role of pollinators in the Island ecosystem and beyond. Grant funds will help purchase soil, plants, seeds, and other garden supplies.

Beaver Island Rural Health Center Granted: $8,000
The Beaver Island Rural Health Center (BIRHC) provides care for a community of 600 to 700 year-round residents, more than 40,000 visitors, and 3,000 to 4,000 seasonal residents. The HC offers primary and urgent care, preventive medical care, and chronic condition treatment as well as dental, mental health, substance abuse, chiropractic, physical therapy, optometry, and podiatry services through visiting providers. The HC is looking for ways to lower energy costs while maintaining safety, improving patient experience, and reducing the HC's carbon footprint. Grant funds will help transition all lighting at the HC to LED, which will significantly reduce costs and energy output, while also improving the health and safety of health center staff and patients.

Camp Daggett Granted: $5,000

Camp Daggett's footprint includes 140 acres of land and 1,425 feet of Walloon Lake frontage. The health and sustainability of the land and water on which they reside is instrumental in executing and furthering their mission. With grant funds, they will correct a poorly designed drainage system in a steep shoreline slope and preserve an historic cabin. Work will include removal of a failed underground drainage system, removal of a failed retaining wall, and replacement of the existing retaining wall. The new wall will retain the important root structure of existing vegetation at the top of the steep slope and drainage will be corrected and managed to reduce the threat of erosion.

East Jordan Public Schools Granted: $5,500

East Jordan Public Schools aims to expand outdoor and environmental learning opportunities for students, while also protecting the delicate aquatic ecosystem at Brown's Creek. Currently, students from both the Elementary and Middle High Schools utilize this area, but it has become run down and unsafe at times. EJPS plans to upgrade, repair, and add to the existing boardwalk system to make it safe for students and staff to access the area. This project will impact students by connecting them to the resources and landscape around them. It will give them the opportunity to not only learn about the abundant natural resources around them but will also extend classrooms outdoors where hands-on learning can take place.

Friends of the Jordan River Watershed Granted: $5,000
The Friends of the Jordan River Watershed's (FJR) mission is to conserve the natural resources and protect the environmental quality of the Jordan River and its watershed. The proposed Don & Eileen Klein Nature trail will travel right by the FJR Watershed Center when it's complete. FJR plans to have the center open for visitors to help educate the public about conserving and protecting our natural resources. To prepare for this, FJR will need the Watershed Center building in pristine condition. Grant funds will support building maintenance such as painting and staining the exterior of the building and making necessary repairs.

Little Traverse Conservancy Granted: $4,000

Little Traverse Conservancy (LTC) works to protect the natural diversity and beauty of northern Michigan by preserving significant land and scenic areas and fostering appreciation and understanding of the environment. The Hoffmann and DeNardis Nature Preserves contain about 30 acres of wetland habitat including cedar swamp and wet meadow areas where the invasive reed canary grass has taken over. LTC plans to remove invasive species and to follow up with native plantings. Additionally, because there is currently no trail on the DeNardis Preserve, and the most interesting habitats are in and around the wetlands, LTC plans to install a new trail and bridge connecting to the existing trail on the Hoffmann Preserve. Funding will support LTC in invasive species removal, native plant installation, and boardwalk and bridge creation.

Tara's Meadow Education & Retreat Center Granted: $3592
Building on successes over the last few years, Tara's Meadow (TM) plans to continue expanding sustainability initiatives on Beaver Island, including events around the Beaver Island Sustainability Fair, as well as research into the Island’s current energy usage, areas of energy weakness and susceptibility, anticipated future energy needs, and current electric and fossil fuel costs. TM will coordinate meetings with stakeholders, host community conversations, and facilitate leadership education regarding potential renewable and sustainable energy strategies such as solar, micro-grid systems, geothermal, wave energy, etc. TM will also engage youth mentees and adult mentors in strategy planning, education, and hands on projects during the week leading up to the Beaver Island Sustainability Fair.

Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy Granted: $5,000
A primary focus of Walloon Lake Association & Conservancy's (WLAC) most recent Strategic Plan is elevating and accelerating conservation efforts via community engagement. Through their boat cleaning station initiative, they are targeting local residents, visitors to the area, and all recreational boat users. Grant funds will help WLAC purchase a permanent boat cleaning station in Charlevoix County, which will be a solar-powered, high-pressure air cleaning system. These units include a vacuum for removing water from bilges and live wells, tongs, plug wrench, cleaning brush, and data collector to track usage metrics. The station will be used to clean boats coming in and out of Walloon Lake to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by removing plant and animal particles before moving the watercraft from one lake to another.

Boyne City Area

Concord Academy Boyne Grant Award: $4,400

Concord Academy Boyne (CAB) is a K-12 charter school in Boyne City that focuses on small class sizes and providing enriching learning experiences. Grant funding will allow the school to travel to Ohio to witness a total solar eclipse, which will be a unique experience for all, and perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime experience for some, as many of the students have never traveled outside of Northern Michigan. Students will hypothesize the effects of the eclipse beforehand and then test their scientific hypothesis during the eclipse to see what actually happens. Grant funds will help provide this opportunity for CAB middle school students.

Boyne Area Skate Park Grant Award: $4,500

Boyne Area Skate Park is working to provide a safe, permanent, concrete, well-maintained skate park for local youth and adults in the Boyne City area. Research indicates that youth who are not active in extracurricular sports are more likely to engage in promiscuous/dangerous behavior. This park will offer youth who prefer independent activity an opportunity to be active and physically challenge themselves as well as find safety and connection in the community. Grant funds will help to produce construction documents, which is the next step toward construction of the park.

City of Boyne City Grant Award: $2,500

In honor of their 100-year anniversary, the Boyne City Rotary Club is erecting a picnic pavilion at Peninsula Beach in Boyne City. This pavilion will provide beach-goers the opportunity to have some shade, get out of the rain, or have a picnic under cover and off the ground. Construction of the picnic pavilion started in 2022 and while they have completed the site work, foundation, and construction of the pavilion including the roof, increased costs of materials caused delays. To complete the project, grant funds will help to purchase and install the ceiling, siding, and cupola and to restore the site around the building.

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Beaver Island

Beaver Island EMS Grant Award: $23,816

Grant funding will allow Beaver Island EMS to purchase the Philips Tempus Pro, a new cardiac monitor. Their current cardiac monitors are becoming obsolete. The manufacturer no longer services the existing units, and BI EMS must buy AED pads through a third party since they are no longer in production. The equipment this grant would allow BI EMS to purchase is tailored to address the unique challenges of rural settings, empowering local emergency medical services to deliver accurate diagnoses, precise treatments, and proactive interventions, thus enhancing their capacity to manage a diverse range of medical scenarios in remote locations.

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Charlevoix Area

Charlevoix Historical Society Grant Award: $9,000

Charlevoix Historical Society has an obligation to protect and preserve the iconic structures of Charlevoix: the Museum at Harsha House, the Train Depot, and the South Pier Lighthouse, as well as their collections. The roof at the Train Depot needs to be replaced in order to restore and preserve the building’s historic value and place in the larger Charlevoix cultural and historical communities. Replacement will also protect the building’s interior, exhibit space, and the artifacts displayed and stored there.

Rotary Club of Charlevoix Charities, Inc. Grant Award: $10,000

The Rotary Club of Charlevoix actively seeks unique opportunities to meet the needs of local youth that are not being addressed by other entities. When they learned that a playground at Mt. McSauba was listed as a high priority project for youth in the City of Charlevoix’s Master Plan, but was as yet unfunded, they got to work. Grant funds will help the Rotary Club to build and install a new playground at Mt. McSauba in Charlevoix.

Charlevoix Circle of Arts Grant Award: $3,000

The Charlevoix Circle of Arts (CCA) has been a cornerstone of the local arts scene, serving the Charlevoix community for 15 years by offering a diverse array of exhibitions, workshops, and programs. The gallery space is the heart of their organization, serving as a platform for artists, a place of inspiration for the community, and an educational resource for individuals of all ages. However, this space is in dire need of upgrades to continue fulfilling its vital role. Grant funds will help support upgrades in art-hanging infrastructure, lighting, and signage.

Charlevoix Area Community Pool Grant Award: $2,450

The Charlevoix Area Community Pool's (CACP) mission is to provide a wide range of aquatic programs promoting health, fitness, recreation and water safety. They provide swim lessons, water safety classes, lifeguard classes, and a wide-range of water activities including Aqua Exercise classes, open swim, and Independent Adult Fitness pool times. To keep things running smoothly, the CACP needs to replace outdated equipment such as computers, a storage cabinet, the pool accessible wheelchair, and pool exercise equipment. Additionally, they plan to add new equipment at the front desk that will increase safety for pool staff and volunteers.

Charlevoix Kiwanis Youth Foundation Grant Award: $3,000

The Kiwanis Club of Charlevoix has a close partnership with the Charlevoix Public Schools to help with reading programs. During the pandemic, the youngest students were greatly impacted by the lack of class interaction and fell behind in reading. They are now in fourth and fifth grades. Additionally, 61% of low-income families do not have children’s books in their homes, which correlates to lower reading scores. Grant funds will help to purchase books for various reading programs including for pre-school and summer school programs, and stocking the book vending machine at Charlevoix Elementary School.

Greensky Hill Indian United Methodist Church Grant Award: $1,500

Greensky Hill's mission is to remain a sanctuary of love in a setting of natural beauty, preserve a unique Native American heritage, invite people to experience community, and empower people to serve all in need. One of their main priorities is “The Greening of Greensky Hill,” a comprehensive creation care plan that includes carbon-free energy and land protection. Grant funds will help to install a new solar energy system, which will power heating, cooling, food preparation, and air-purification systems that will make available one of the safest gathering spaces in Charlevoix County.

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East Jordan Area

City of East Jordan Grant Award: $21,000

The Shoe Club and American Legion, in partnership with the City of East Jordan, envision the continuing development of GAR Veterans Park in downtown East Jordan. Grant funds will help with the next phase of this project. Specifically, to construct a pavilion, add signage and a fence around the park, develop landscaping, sidewalks, and add a military relic and irrigation. These developments will add outdoor community gathering space, improve the aesthetic look of the park, and honor heroes; past, present and future.

City of East Jordan Grant Award: $15,805

A grant to the City of East Jordan Parks Department will fund upgrades to Centennial Park, which currently includes four Pickleball courts. Pickleball is a racket or paddle sport that can be played with either two or four players and has gained popularity over the last several years. The current Pickleball Courts stay full in the summer time with players often waiting to play. Grant funds will help the City to add an additional two courts with fencing and gates in place of the current under-utilized skate park.

Training Wheels Childcare Center Grant Award: $5,176

The number one goal at Training Wheels Childcare Center is to offer childcare that is nurturing, loving, and gives children the ability to learn, grow and explore in a safe environment. Nurturing children in this way can be messy, and without laundry facilities on site, soiled sheets and clothing are taken home by staff on weekends to be cleaned. This is problematic for meeting the needs of children and the extra hours of working (taking laundry home) contributes to staff burnout. Grant funds will help purchase washing and drying machines for the facility, thus improving quality of care for children and relieving staff of these extra duties so they can focus more fully on “loving them like grandma does.”

Little Traverse Conservancy Grant Award: $21,000

The Don and Eileen Klein Nature Trail is being constructed as a universally accessible trail connecting Sportsman's Park to the Rogers Family Homestead Nature Preserve in East Jordan. The trail is a true partnership with efforts by the City of East Jordan, the Little Traverse Conservancy, the Friends of the Jordan River Watershed, and the East Jordan Trails Group. Grant funds will help to purchase and install two critical portions of the wetland boardwalk section, the bumpout seating areas, and the overlook access platform.

East Jordan Public Schools Grant Award: $14,000

East Jordan Public School facilities are a place where students shape their talents, interact with others, and perform for the community. Boswell Stadium, one facility that brings the community together, is in need of some updates and improvements, including replacing the drinking fountain with a water bottle fill station/drinking fountain combo, landscaping to keep kids safe, updated signage on the press box and main entrance, fresh coats of paint, and adding amenities in the locker room for improved conditions for players, coaches, and athletic directors. Grant funding for these upgrades will keep Boswell Stadium in tip top shape and greatly benefit EJPS staff and the community.

East Jordan Public Schools Grant Award: $14,000

The East Jordan Community Pool provides a source for aquatic programming for all ages. Due to the naturally corrosive environment of a pool, the current metal lockers are no longer functioning as they should, due to rust and corrosion, and need to be replaced with a more resilient material. The new lockers will be made of a plastic composite, which is anti-rust and pool-friendly. Grant funds will support the replacement lockers, which are more user friendly, can withstand water damage, and will hold up over time in the pool environment.

East Jordan Public Schools Grant Award: $13,514

East Jordan Public Schools has utilized and maintained the current baseball and softball facilities since the early 80’s and that has served the district and community well. However, these fields are in need of some immediate improvements as well as some long term solutions. The biggest immediate need is to update and upgrade the entry to the district’s most well-recognized building: the Middle/High School. Grant funds will help to replace the fence safety toppers, install fence screening in the outfield, and replace the concession stand door.

The Depot Jordan Valley Teen Center Grant Award: $3,000

Programming at The Depot includes classes, activities, and experiences designed to support teens in their own personal development and obtain the skills needed to achieve their dreams. Grant funds will support the "Life Skills & Culture," track, which includes a series of classes, trips, and experiences that teach art skills using a variety of mediums such as watercolors, mixed media, fabrics, and more. The classes and local field trips will culminate in a Spring 2024 trip to the Detroit Institute of Art where the teens will receive a guided tour and an instructor-led, hands-on activity to learn more about various works of art.

Northern Community Mediation Amount Awarded: $1,000

For the past 20 years, NCM has been investing and saving funds to purchase their own property which is now located in Petoskey. Grant funds will help pay for the costs of moving furniture to the new office.

St. James Township Amount Awarded: $911

BI residents and visitors need to prepare for emergencies differently than is usually done on the mainland. St. James Township would like to create a tri-fold brochure and flip book to share information such as how calling 911 is different on the Island as well as Charlevoix County resources for assistance. Funds will help to create and distribute informational materials to Island residents and visitors.

Beaver Island Performing Arts Alliance Amount Awarded: $1,000

The Baroque on Beaver summer music festival takes place in several venues on BI which requires quickly moving the piano between sites. BIPAA seeks funds to purchase, insure, and ship a piano moving jack to the Island, so that both the instrument and the movers are protected from harm.

Top of Michigan Trails Council Amount Awarded: $1,000

The Leadership Charlevoix County Class of 2023 is working with Top of MI Trails Council to safely connect the Boyne Valley Trailway with the Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail by adding signage to improve trail safety and navigation. Grant funding will help purchase Boyne City Connection Trailhead signage that will be installed at Veteran’s Park in Boyne City.

East Jordan Public Schools Amount Awarded: $1,000

EJPS has initiated a new course called “Here to Out There” (H2O) Class for high achieving 3rd through 8th graders where students help spearhead initiatives that will help to address youth mental health concerns by developing a positive group identity and fostering the development of problem-solving and leadership skills. Grant funds will provide support for the 40 students to participate in a teambuilding day at Camp Daggett's Adventure Center, building communication, problem solving skills, and trust among the group.

Charlevoix Kiwanis Youth Foundation Amount Awarded: $350

To ease the transition from Elementary School to High School, the Kiwanis club plans to provide graduating 6th grade students with “The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life” that helps provide inspiration and encouragement. Grant funds will help purchase books.

Child Abuse Prevention & Education Council Amount Awarded: $1,000

The Charlevoix and Emmet County C.A.P.E. Council is returning to an in-person annual spring conference to support the prevention of child abuse and neglect in our area by addressing current mental health needs. Funds will support the conference and bringing in relevant speakers.

Jordan Valley Public Safety Employee Association Amount Awarded: $612

EJ Ambulance Association needs a wall mount in their primary ambulance for the LUCAS - a life saving device used to deliver chest compressions during CPR - to ensure the safety of crew/patients and prevent any possible damage to the device itself ($20k). Grant funds will go toward the purchase of the mounting system.

Boyne City Preschool Amount Awarded: $3,800

There are three large, dead trees on BC’s playground that need to be removed ASAP to ensure safety on the playground for students and staff. Grant funds will help pay for professional tree removal.

Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity Amount Awarded: $1,000

NW MI Habitat for Humanity is requesting funds to help them replace the summer tires on their construction truck, which also doubles as their plow truck in the winter. Grant funds will go toward tire purchase.

Boyne Area Skate Park Amount Awarded: $1,000

A geotechnical report is required prior to design development of Boyne Area Skate Park (BASP) in order to ensure the land is suitable for this type of project. Grant funds will help BASP to complete the survey.

Boyne Arts Collective Amount Awarded: $1,000

BAC is planning a Holiday Artisan Market and needs more display platforms and pedestals for this event and others. Grant funds will help BAC purchase materials to build these displays.

Beaver Island District Library Amount Awarded: $500

The Beaver Island District Library is participating in the national Collaborative Summer Library Program to engage kids in summer reading and activities. Registered kids receive a grab and go bag loaded with activities, crafts, and books. Grant funds will provide books for the 30 kids signed up for the program.

Kiersten's Ride Amount Awarded: $1,000

After an unexpected increase in printing costs for materials necessary to continue to provide suicide prevention information to the community, Kiersten's Ride has determined it would be more efficient to purchase their own printer and supplies. Grant funds will help purchase printing equipment.

Charlevoix Historical Society Amount Awarded: $1,000

CHS’ iconic white pergola at the formal Depot Heritage Garden is a major feature and attraction for visitors to relax and take photos while on their walks to the beach and garden. Water damage to the pergola needs repaired, and it needs a fresh coat of paint. Grant funds will help pay for these repairs to be made by a professional contractor.

Beaver Island District Library Amount Awarded: $500

The BIDL is trying to address the gap in organized activities for babies and toddlers on BI by providing a weekly activity to promote early literacy, socialization, and parent support. Grant funds will be used to purchase books for storytime and supplies for sensory play.

Charlevoix Area Community Pool Amount Awarded: $700

To make the CACP 100% ADA accessible, they need a new wheelchair with larger wheels to help clients with mobility concerns to access the pool via the ramp. Grant funds will purchase a pool wheelchair.

Boyne City Public Schools Amount Awarded: $500

In August of 2023, C3F held a special event to welcome new President, Sara Ward, and to reintroduce the entire C3F team to the community, since many staff members were new or had changed roles. At the event, attendees each wrote the name of a favorite nonprofit organization serving Charlevoix County and at the end of the event, one name was chosen to win a $500 grant. The Boyne City Early Learners program was the winner of that grant

BASES Awarded: $5,000

First responders have extremely stressful jobs. BASES began providing them with acute crisis counseling services in 2020 to positive reviews. The funding had run out, but the need has not. BASES proposed continuing the crisis counseling, to reduce first responders' trauma response, reduce their long-term stress, and increase their job retention. This grant allowed BASES to continue providing services while also working to identify new funding sources to sustain the program.

Serenity House Alano Club Charlevoix, Inc. Awarded: $2,000

The Serenity House - Alano Club of Charlevoix hosts self-help groups year-round, in person and via Zoom, for people of all ages who struggle with addictions. They typically see over 150 different people each week, with an increase of over 500 people per week during the busy summer months. As our population ages and is reflected similarly in the participants at the Charlevoix Alano Club, there are more concerns for on-site cardiac arrests. Now that they are hosting more in-person activities they wanted to complete a previous plan to have an AED machine on location. This grant helped them purchase the AED unit and provide trainings for volunteers and program participants.

Manna Food Project Awarded: $15,000

The Manna Food Project is fighting food insecurity in Charlevoix County by offering the Food 4 Kids backpack program. In 2022, Manna distributed 20,280 backpacks to children in need in Charlevoix County. In 2023, there was an increased need for funding for this program, partly because Manna has expanded the Food 4 Kids program throughout the summer months by partnering with the Boyne and Charlevoix Libraries to distribute the backpacks when kids aren't in school. The Manna Food Project continues to offer the backpacks of food all year round. Recently, Manna has taken steps to improve the nutritional value of the food included in the backpacks by including ready-to-eat, shelf-stable items, reducing the amount of sugar, and adding protein to the bags. More nutritious food is also more expensive to source. Each backpack costs about $5 each and contains 12 items. Manna expects to distribute at least 21,000 backpacks in 2023 throughout Charlevoix County.

St. James Township Awarded: $9,000

St. James Township participated in an emergency exercise last spring, hosted by the Charlevoix County Sheriff Department with support from 10 other local, state, and federal agencies (the US Coast Guard was a lead agency). The emergency exercise involved 100+ officials and numerous island-based volunteers. The goal of the exercise was to test the mainland's emergency response to a major incident on Beaver Island. Emmet County's Sheriff and 911 mobilized to help on the Island as needed but also covered for the mainland portion of Charlevoix County given the absence of county-based first responders on the mainland. The test was called "Beaver Island Maritime Resolve" given the access issues to a remote populated island. Funds helped support feeding, housing, and transporting people to participate in this important event. The exercise revealed weaknesses that the first responder agencies are now working to address.

Beaver Island EMS Awarded: $3,750

Beaver Island EMS has a goal of continuing to improve emergency medical care and response for the residents of Beaver Island. Due to their remote location, it can be challenging for other EMS agencies to respond in the event of a multi-casualty incident, so it’s best to be prepared. A good triage system is essential in emergency medicine as it allows healthcare providers to prioritize patients based on their medical needs. Additionally, BIEMS transports all patients via air ambulance to the mainland for continuing emergency care, as required by Michigan state law. The air ambulance is extremely loud, and communication with other crew members, the patient, or their family is extremely difficult. Grant funds helped to purchase both the triage kit and the wireless headsets to improve emergency medical care and response for BI residents. Having the ability to communicate with wireless headsets allows the EMS team to communicate more effectively with all crew members, the patient, and their family and has been greatly appreciated by all parties.

Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan Awarded: $4,000

There are many pressures (financial and emotional) on foster families as they care for youngsters who have been neglected and/or abused. Challenges can include caring for children with severe emotional or behavioral characteristics. Retaining foster families can be challenging. When a licensed home closes, there is a gap for the safe and healthy placement of children. Providing support for urgent needs in existing foster homes will improve the quality of life for those foster children and youths, and ease pressure on the families, potentially lengthening their stay in a home. Fewer transitions between homes means fewer traumas, and the chance to build a stable life. Grant funds helped CFS address urgent needs for foster and adoptive children and families as they arose last year, helping them to maintain or access food, shelter, safety, healthcare, mental health services, transportation, and more.

Health Department of Northwest Michigan Awarded: $927

Many SNAP recipients are not aware of the opportunity to access local, healthy foods at farmers markets. The overarching goal of this proposal through the Health Department of NW MI is to inform Charlevoix County SNAP participants about using SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks at local farmers markets. This project increased awareness about access to local healthy foods for recipients of food assistance benefits.

Good Neighbors Food Pantry of Boyne City Awarded: $5,000

Good Neighbors Food Pantry has been using a trailer (loaned to them each week by a friend of the pantry) to pick up the weekly 1,800 pounds of food from Manna Food Project in Harbor Springs, to stock the pantry in Boyne City. This trailer was old and in need of major repairs to make it safe for volunteer drivers. Grant funds helped Good Neighbors Food Pantry to purchase a new trailer with a braking system, which will provide the pantry with many years of reliable service.

Northmen Den Youth Pantries Inc. Awarded: $7,500

The Round Lake Education Center (RLEC) in Charlevoix County is a court-appointed high school and many of its students are from families who are experiencing food insecurity. So, the Northmen Den Youth Pantries (NDYP) stepped in to provide access to a reliable source of supplemental high-quality food for disadvantaged middle and high school youth and their families. The School-based Pantry Program is a mini-grocery store where students can shop for free brand-name, supplemental, nutritious food. Last year, the RLEC's Youth Pantry provided more than 360 students access to breakfast, lunch, and take-home food for themselves, younger siblings, and other family members from the pantry. Helping students in need is critical. Students can't learn if they are hungry. Grant funds helped to stock the pantry for the school year.

Boyne City Public Schools Awarded: $2,400

Boyne City Middle School (BCMS) received support for the Winter Outwear Assistance Program to provide proper outwear for students and families in need. Middle school students still go outdoors for recess and other activities in the winter months. Their goal in 2023, due to the growing need, was to be able to provide gear to 50 students and families in the 5th and 6th grade.

The Salvation Army Awarded: $14,500

The Salvation Army of Petoskey (SA) is seeing a large increase in need caused by pandemic fallout and inflation for low-income individuals, families, and seniors in Charlevoix County. The Emergency Financial Assistance Program (EFAP) provides emergency financial assistance to individuals or families experiencing a financial crisis to provide a safety net to help them regain financial stability by providing assistance with heat, electricity, water, shelter, and other basic needs that threaten a household’s livelihood or an individual's ability to maintain a stable household. Demand for services has continued to increase due to inflation and pandemic fatigue which has ended moratoriums and exhausted emergency resources. Last fiscal year, The SA disbursed $740,000 in emergency financial assistance; up $90,000 from last year’s $650,000 in their tri-county service area. Including case management services provided, the SA is providing nearly triple the annual amount that they were providing pre-Covid. Grant funds are assisting approximately 27-31 households in Charlevoix County.

Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan Awarded: $8,000

When a child experiences a medical crisis, the entire family is affected on a financial, psychological, emotional, and social level. This is where Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan (RMHCWM) can intervene to assist families in mitigating as much of that burden as possible. They achieve this through the Family Support Program, which provides a no- cost resting place, the Ronald McDonald House, for caregivers, including comfortable beds, warm meals, snacks, transportation to and from the hospital, toiletries, and engaging activities to keep siblings entertained so families' sole focus can be on the healing journey of their sick child/sibling. Grant funds are used primarily to provide food and transportation to Charlevoix County families in need.

Resort Bear Creek Fire Department Awarded: $6,370

Resort Bear Creek Fire Department serves the most populated two thirds of Bay Township in Charlevoix County. Their firefighters play a crucial role in providing immediate assistance during medical emergencies such as cardiac events, where time is of the essence in saving lives. While their dedicated team is well-trained and equipped to handle a range of emergencies, the addition of two AEDs will significantly improve their ability to respond to cardiac incidents, increasing the chances of survival for those affected. Dependable radio communication is also critical to a rapid response in lifesaving efforts. Acquisition of one additional radio will mean all firefighters will be properly equipped. Grant funds helped the department to purchase the mentioned AEDs and radio equipment.

Youth Mental Health

Child Abuse Prevention & Education Council Grant Award: $3,500

The CAPE Council annual conference held each spring brings nationally recognized speakers to the community to provide education on child development. The conference audience includes educators, nurses, social workers, caregivers, court and law enforcement officials, and anyone working with children and families. Content will address youth mental health, adverse experiences, and dysregulation while also providing strategies for strengthening and creating resiliency for children and families. Grant funds will support the keynote speaker expenses and technology equipment.

Northern Michigan Equine Therapy Grant Award: $8,500

Northern Michigan Equine Therapy requests grant funds to support the development of a new strategic plan to maximize capacity and better serve youth in the community. NMET plans to identify how they can sustain current donors, clients, and infrastructure, but also explore how they might expand services to meet the increased demand. The new plan will provide guidance and goals for the next 5+ years, especially the ability to maintain services and increase treatment sessions.

Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan Grant Award: $20,000

The Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) recently purchased a 14,000 square foot building in Petoskey to provide space for program expansion, enhancement, and to bring services together. Grant funds will support building renovation expenses to construct spaces specific to psychosomatic therapies, such as play and art therapy, for child and youth survivors of gender-based violence. The trauma-informed, custom-built space for psychosomatic therapies will expand and enhance mental health services available to child and youth survivors from Charlevoix County.

Child and Family Services of NW MI Grant Award: $5,000

C hild and Family Services is opening Safe Haven North, a supervised visit and safe child exchange program in Harbor Springs. Safe Haven removes children from parents’ conflict, encourages healthy relationships with both parents, and eliminates a chance for violence to occur during supervised visits and transition times. Grant funds will support funding for the furniture, toys, and games for the Safe Haven North Visit Room to make visits more comfortable, as well as security cameras that are required to offer this service and open the building.

Boyne District Library Grant Award: $2,230

The Boyne District Library's Youth Services Department plans to hold a Family Dinner Book Club in March 2024. The Family Book Club will meet weekly for four weeks with up to 15 families with elementary aged youth. A dinner, group read aloud, discussion, and craft are included at no cost to families. The books selected focus on a variety of youth mental health topics to show children how to reach out to supportive adults and gives those adults the words and behaviors to use when a child encounters those feelings. Funds will allow every family to go home with a copy of each book read, to encourage further discussion.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of NW MI Grant Award: $10,500

Big Brothers Big Sisters' (Bigs') mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. The program is designed to allow Littles to recognize their capabilities, expand their knowledge of community and the greater world, and find their unique place within it, by providing them with another caring adult. The mentoring relationship results in improved self-confidence, which in turn allows for a significant impact on a child's intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being. Grant funds will support the one-year costs to establish five mentoring matches in Charlevoix County.

Char-Em ISD - Behavioral Health Department Grant Award: $6,250

The Char-Em ISD Behavioral Health Department is partnering with local schools and community agencies to identify and support the unique cultural and social emotional needs of English Language Learners (ELL) and Indigenous youth. Social emotional kits for ELL youth will provide tools to help students adjust to a new school environment and find universal ways to connect with school staff. Indigenous comfort kits will provide tools that reflect a trauma-informed space and the importance of culture in healing and emotional wellness. These kits will provide opportunities for staff to learn about, understand and respect other cultures and traditions, which directly correlates to acceptance, safety, identity, and representation for indigenous and ELL youth.

The Depot Jordan Valley Teen Center Grant Award: $4,900

The Depot plans to address the anxiety and depression concerns of teens through Metal Health and Wellness programs. The program is multi-faceted with a cohesive, holistic approach that includes classes, programs, and activities, and the relationships that produce a stronger teen, family, and community. Program components include dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills or talk therapy workbooks, volunteer training on mental health topics, quarterly dinners with parents, leadership experiences, and yoga and meditation equipment.

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Recreation

Camp Daggett Grant Award: $1,380

Schools across the Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District have partnered with Camp Daggett staff to facilitate the Positive School Climate Program through the Adventure Education Program. Positive School Climate is synonymous with positive school culture and is integral in shaping the health of the educational environment. A healthy academic culture feeds positive outcomes including academic performance, job readiness, social and emotional development, and safety. Grant funds will replace climbing harnesses and ropes used for the program.

Rotary Club of Charlevoix Charities Grant Award: $2,500

The Rotary Club of Charlevoix actively seeks unique opportunities to meet the needs of local youth that are not being addressed by other entities. When they learned that a playground at Mt. McSauba was listed as a high priority project for youth in the City's Master Plan but was as yet unfunded, they sprung into action to begin fundraising. Grant funds will help the Rotary Club to build and install a new playground at Mt. McSauba in Charlevoix.

Beaver Island Historical Society Grant Award: $4,000

Beaver Island Kids Camp is a week of engaging activities for Island youth ages 4-14. Customized programs incorporate cultural themes of the Beaver Island Community, such as Native American storytelling & crafts, the natural environment, outdoor hikes, the pollinator garden, and a family community day. Camp participants develop an understanding of the local wildlife, create artwork, sing and dance, and engage in outdoor play activities. Grant funds will offset the cost of planning Kids Camp for staff, youth counselors, and the youth camp leaders.

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Education

Char-Em ISD STEM Grant Award: $5,000

The Char-Em Street STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program brings experiences and materials, such as coding, robotics, direction following, problem solving, circuits, measuring, and much more, to schools, teachers, and students. The program allows teachers to learn alongside students and explore new ways to incorporate STEM learning experiences in their classrooms to accomplish a learning target. Magnets can be a challenging concept to learn and teach without physical objects students can use, so grant funds will help to purchase magnetic levitation train kits for 3rd grade classrooms in Charlevoix County.

Power Book Bags Grant Award: $2,000

PoWeR! Book Bags works to increase access to language, print, and literacy materials in the homes of children from primarily low-income families. The bags provide brand new books and materials for playing, writing, and reading, as well as resources on children’s growth and development. Families are establishing book reading routines, reading more frequently to their children, playing/engaging with the materials and suggested games, and strengthening their overall relationships/bonds. Grant funds will help to purchase the items and materials to assemble the PoWeR! Book Bags.

Planned Parenthood of Michigan Grant Award: $8,000

Planned Parenthood of Michigan will provide in-school sexual health education programs in Charlevoix Middle High School as well as East Jordan Middle and High School. They will also recruit high school youth to participate in focus groups that ask youth directly about the gaps they are facing in accessing sexual health information. The focus group results will inform adult education events for supportive adults to break down the stigma and silence between youth and adults so that supportive, trusting, and honest conversations can happen more fluidly and frequently.

East Jordan Public Schools Grant Award: $6,000

As part of the "EJ Honor and Service" project, Shoe Club seeks to connect local GAR Park history to an end of the school year trip to Gettysburg Military Park. Grant funds will be used to support lodging costs for the 30 Shoe Club members. The purpose of this trip is to teach students about the Civil War and the impact veterans have made by exposing them to various historical programs, exhibits, battlefields, and presentations in Gettysburg. The trip will promote teamwork, critical thinking, and reflection among Shoe Club members as they walk the battlefields and tour museums.

Beaver Island Cultural Arts Association - $6,000

The Beaver Island Performing Arts Alliance (BIPAA) promotes the performing arts to enrich the greater Beaver Island community. This summer, besides producing the Baroque on Beaver summer festival, BIPAA will provide a variety of artistic performances, including a series of four jazz concerts throughout the summer and fall, which will incorporate professional musicians alongside local musicians from the Island.

Beaver Island Historical Society - $7,500

The Beaver Island Historical Society operates two museums, one historical site, and one park on Beaver Island. The museums provide keystone activities for all summer visitors and a community hub for public discussions and activities year-round. In the last three years, the Print Shop Museum has nearly completed a reconstruction, new addition, and restoration project. This grant will help fund the final need for this project: a storage shed, built to match the style of the museum and located on-site, near the rear entrance, to store museum fixtures and inventory.

Charlevoix Area Community Pool - $10,000

The pool is 25 years old and requires resurfacing to be done about every 10 years. It was last resurfaced about 12 years ago, making this work overdue. The grant will help fund the repairs, including draining the pool, repairing pot marks, fixing stairs, ladders, and ramps, restoring railings, and repairing tiles around the pool edge. The entire pool surface is then sanded down and resurfaced for proper maintenance.

Charlevoix Circle of Arts - $10,000

CCA has an increased need for program funding because the demand for programs continues to grow. Feedback from constituents consistently reflects a necessity for more children’s art programs, as well as a desire for ceramics/pottery classes. In the coming year, CCA will expand offerings to include an after-school art program and a ceramics/pottery program with classes for multiple ages and skill levels.

Charlevoix Historical Society - $7,500

In 2021, as part of the Historical Society's Master Plan, half of the 2nd floor of the Harsha House Museum was renovated so it could be used as curator workspace, administrative office space, and improved storage for artifacts. This funding will purchase recommended storage equipment and materials, environmental control equipment, as well as a mobile worktable.

Great Start Collaborative / Char-Em ISD - $10,000

Federal and state funded preschool programs fill to capacity in our local area quickly, leaving many eligible children/families wait-listed. With grant funds, Great Start Collaborative will assist with preschool tuition for at least 8 Charlevoix County children, ages three to five. Children will be placed in high-quality, tuition-based local preschool programs that meet a rating of 3 or higher within Michigan’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. This ensures that the preschool program meets high-standards beyond state licensing and provides care and education that will foster the academic and social-emotional skills needed for success in kindergarten and beyond.

Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan - $5,000

Research shows witnessing severe family conflict can be permanently damaging for children. Child exchanges, supervised visits, and coordination through the Safe Haven Supervised Visit/Safe Child Exchange Program protect children from trauma. CFS would like to build on the success of Safe Haven in Traverse City, (the only program north of Bay City) by creating Safe Haven North. This will reduce barriers like transportation over long distances, expense to families, and children’s time spent traveling. It will increase the number of families served, making time slots more accessible. This grant will be used to study the viability of establishing Safe Haven North at the Harbor Springs CFS office and begin preliminary planning.

Crooked Tree Arts Center - $2,681

With a goal of sparking meaningful dialogue, inspiring creative thinking, encouraging diversity, and bringing together community members, Coffee @ Ten is free to attendees. Talks are diverse, both thematically and materially, and are given by mainly local or regional talent. CTAC will expand the Coffee @ Ten Series by offering honoraria and/or travel stipends to guest speakers and increasing the promotion for the events.

East Jordan Ambulance Association - $16,376

Jordan Valley EMS Authority's education program currently teaches to the EMT-B license level but plans to expand education to the next level - Advanced EMT. Advanced EMTs can administer fluids and provide other critical care without waiting for a paramedic to intercept the patient, potentially saving lives. Additionally, they will continue teaching CPR classes and providing CPR masks to all class participants. The grant will go toward textbooks, training equipment required by the State for AEMT level, and compensation for guest speakers and instructors.

Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore - $4,000

GSMISTS builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. GSMISTS empowers 137 girls and 58 adults in Charlevoix County to lead their own adventures, team up with others, and participate in their chosen activities with the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This project aims to support Charlevoix County Troop Leaders, resulting in increased retention of Troop Leaders and greater access to Girl Scouts for economically-disadvantaged girls.

Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra - $5,000

The mission of the GLCO is to inspire, entertain, and educate through live, professional, community-connected orchestral programming. Grant funds will support three concerts offering a wide range of musical styles - "something for everyone." In July, internationally recognized singing group Rockapella presents rock music both a cappella and with orchestra; October features classical contemporary music by American composers; and November's concert highlights traditional classical favorites by Mozart & Beethoven.

Lake Charlevoix Mariners Inc. - $1,874

The mission of Sail Charlevoix is to deliver exceptional, safe, and affordable sailing instruction and experiences to the greater Lake Charlevoix community. They serve approximately 360 students per summer in classes held on Lake Charlevoix, in Boyne City and Charlevoix. Funds will help to rebuild the boat dock used for sailing classes, which is in real need of repair.

Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital Foundation - $27,000

The benefits of minimally invasive surgery make it a preferred method for many patients but visibility for surgeons can be a drawback. Despite a surgeon's knowledge of anatomy or surgical skill, minimally invasive procedures are challenging and can restrict a surgeon's visibility. Charlevoix Hospital will purchase a Video Tower Monitor for minimally invasive surgeries that will provide surgeons with state-of-the-art images of key anatomy structure and result in increased control and accuracy during procedures.

North Central Michigan College Foundation - $10,000

NCMC has been working intentionally to improve student engagement and experience - to unite, foster camaraderie, and encourage a sense of belonging - both on campus and within the community. One exciting way NCMC is working to achieve these goals is by launching varsity athletics. Funding will support athletic scholarships for student athletes from Charlevoix County, plus necessary program equipment. Athletic scholarships are essential to removing the financial barriers that prevent student athletes from attending college. Program equipment is essential to starting competition this fall.

Northern Michigan Antique-Flywheelers - $6,000

Bleachers on the Flywheelers’ property are used for Student Harvest Days, the Engine and Craft Show, and by families and senior citizens who attend the annual show in July. Sections of bleachers get used at the demonstrations and positioned along the tractor parade route. The current bleachers are well worn after decades of use, plus they are heavy and difficult for volunteers to move. The grant will purchase new, safe, lightweight, portable bleachers.

Preservation Association of Beaver Island - $4,600

The Emerald Isle Irish Festival's purpose is to strengthen and enrich the community’s connection to its Irish cultural heritage through the arts. Funding will help to bring acclaimed Irish musician Aoife Scott and Band from Ireland to Beaver Island as a core component of the 2022 Emerald Isle Irish Féile (Festival). Aoife Scott’s presence will reinforce the connection between Beaver Island and Ireland and will complement the other scheduled artists and cultural activities for the community to enjoy.

Protection and Restoration

Antrim Conservation District, DBA CAKE CISMA Granted: $2,000

Purple loosestrife is an invasive wetland plant that can cause significant ecological and economic damage. Left untreated, this plant will overtake habitat and outcompete native aquatic plants, lowering biodiversity. CAKE CISMA will purchase Galerucella beetles, an insect that feeds on the invasive plant, to release at two locations: Sportsman's Park in East Jordan and the northern half of Six-Mile lake.

Conservation Resource Alliance Granted: $75,000 over three years

CRA is replacing three road crossings - Jordan River Road, East and West over the Jordan River, and Fuller Road over Deer Creek. The engineered design for the new crossings calls for full-spanning timber bridges that will be bundled under one contract and implemented over three years (2022 to 2024). Bundling the crossings together allows for cost savings on many fronts and is an efficient use of dollars, time, and management for all involved. The project will improve the overall health of the river and its surrounding habitat by restoring full passage for aquatic species at all life stages, opening a total of 12 miles upstream and 20 miles downstream. The new crossings also will drastically reduce erosion by eliminating 25 tons of sediment each year that currently enters the stream.

Lake Charlevoix Association Granted: $26,501

Communities surrounding Lake Charlevoix have a long history of working together. Because of its deep-water connection with the Great Lakes, Lake Charlevoix's water level fluctuates with Lake Michigan. During the convergence of recent high water levels (peaking in 2020) and ongoing development pressure, there has been an increase in shoreline hardening practices and challenges to maintaining a shoreline protection zone. Lake Charlevoix Association, in collaboration with Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and LIAA, will work to reinvigorate the commitment local governments have made to the protection of the Lake Charlevoix Watershed. This team will reconvene the Lake Charlevoix planning community to determine goals and priorities, as well as recommend specific actions for protecting and preserving Lake Charlevoix for the future.

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Protection and Restoration

Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy Granted: $5,000

Walloon Lake Association & Conservancy will install a permanent, solar-powered boat wash station at the Sumner Road Boat Launch on Walloon Lake (in Bay Township). The station is referred to as a CD3 system - “Clean, Drain, Dry, Dispose," which is the nationally accepted best practice for boat washing. The goal is to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species in Walloon Lake and the transfer of invasives to other lakes. It also provides boaters the opportunity to abide by Michigan State law that requires boaters to ensure watercraft and trailers are free from aquatic organisms, including plants.

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Sustainability

East Jordan Public Schools Granted: $8,500

The garden program at East Jordan Elementary School (EJES) began five years ago. EJPS will purchase composting stations for both the elementary school and the middle/high school to continue the garden revitalization and expansion. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 20% of waste in landfills is food; the EJES cafeteria produces at least 30 pounds of food waste weekly. The new composting system will take food that would otherwise be wasted and convert it into fertile soil for the garden, while educating students around the process of composting. Students will learn about reducing waste, strengthening soil, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the need for pesticides, and building stronger food systems.

Tara's Meadow Education & Retreat Center Granted: $5,000

Tara's Meadow will continue its vital environmental work to “Think Global, Act Local.” Their Beaver Island Sustainability Initiative (BISI) aims to provide a regional model of sustainability by lowering the carbon footprint on BI through conservation and renewable energy strategies; local food systems; and restoration of healthy ecosystems. Their efforts focus on planning and action steps that engage broad segments of the local population. Funding will support events and programs involving youth mentorship.

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Land Use, Green Space, and Recreation

Charlevoix Township Granted: $8,000

Last summer, Charlevoix Township repaired the surface of the tennis courts at Shanahan Field, which were being destroyed by nearby trees cracking and heaving the surface. The trees were removed, the surface repaired, and additionally, two pickleball courts were added due to the increasing popularity of the sport. To finish the job, the courts are in need of screening material to block wind, sun, and visual distractions for players. Funding will help the township purchase necessary screening to complete the tennis and pickleball court renovations.

Little Traverse Conservancy Granted: $2,724

LTC owns and manages over 22,000 acres of land. Nearly 90 miles of trail is open to the public for non-motorized recreation, including 29 miles of trails in Charlevoix County that need mowing for accessibility. Additionally, LTC staff use drone technology to document and promote new property acquisitions, create maps, and identify changes on conservation easements. Funds will help purchase a new brush mower and a drone, which will increase LTC's ability to promote, protect, and provide access to land in Charlevoix County.

Raven Hill Discovery Center Granted: $5,000

The Solar SMART exhibit will encourage visitors to explore the Science Mathematics And Related Technologies (SMART) of solar energy through an outdoor display at the Center and a portable solar learning kiosk that will travel to area schools. Demonstration solar panels will allow people to develop a better understanding of solar energy, including the pros and cons of different directions, angles, panel types, inverters, and installations for maximum efficiency in converting sunlight to energy.

Wilson Township Granted: $5,000

Over the last few years, Wilson Township has been improving Fall Park for the community to enjoy. They paved a walkway to Deer Lake, dredged silt from the channel to improve safety, and are working steadfastly toward an overall goal of making everything in the park ADA compliant. This year they plan to pave the parking lot and grant funds will help them put in a basketball hoop and half court. Automatic lights will allow the basketball court to be used any time.

Boyne City Area

Boyne Valley Community Greenhouse Grant: $10,000

This organization works to provide a year-round source of fresh produce for families, seniors, and veterans in need, even in the winter months when produce is most limited in Northern Michigan. To increase the yield and serve more people in need, this grant will help purchase supplies needed to install a vertical hydroponics system in the greenhouse.

City of Boyne City Grant: $5,000

In honor of their 100-year anniversary, the Boyne City Rotary Club is working with the City of Boyne City to design and build a picnic pavilion at Peninsula Beach. This pavilion will provide beach-goers the opportunity to have some shade, get out of the rain, or have a picnic under cover and off the ground.

Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity Grant: $20,000

The need for safe, affordable housing in our rural region is a well-known, complex issue. For many reasons, including drastically increasing construction and land costs, and the tourist-based economy which is driving up housing costs and limiting available housing stock, the need continues to far outpace the market’s ability to respond. Simply put, it costs more to build a house than what average working households can afford. This grant will directly support the construction of a new, high- quality home in Boyne City. To be eligible for Habitat programs, household incomes must fall between $30,000-120% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and applicants must live and/or work Emmet or Charlevoix counties.

Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association Grant: $9,959

A successful trail system includes a variety of trails to serve the variety of skill levels of its riders. The Boyne Forest trail system already has a strong selection of beginner trails and some types of intermediate trails. Phase 2 of the new section of Boyne Forest Trail will create a slightly more advanced trail that will challenge beginners who have become accustomed to the previous trail. This new section adds a level of skill for the advancing beginner to slowly increase their skills.

Top of Michigan Trails Council Grant: $3,611

In addition to building trails, the Trails Council wants people to use them confidently. This grant will allow them to develop, design, and regionally distribute a Boyne City Area trail map, as well as assisting with wayfinding signage on the newly completed Boyne Valley Trailway and the existing segments of the still-under-development Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail, helping local residents and visitors connect to and through Boyne City.

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Beaver Island Area

Beaver Island Performing Arts Alliance Grant: $3,000

The Beaver Island Performing Arts Alliance plans to host two brass concerts - free of charge to Island residents - to usher in the holiday season. The brass quintet, composed of two trumpets, a French horn, a trombone, and a tuba, will perform a blend of holiday classics on two dates in December. This grant will help to bring musicians to the Island to perform. The proposed holiday concerts round out BIPAA's first year of expanded performances beyond Baroque on Beaver.

Beaver Island Historical Society Grant: $5,000

The Beaver Island Historical Society will purchase technology hardware for the Marine Museum, Print Shop, and the administrative office. Specific needs include two iPads for expanding exhibit offerings and creating more interactive exhibits, a laptop, projector, server and router upgrades, and a couple of new security cameras. This equipment will create an improved experience for museum visitors and will create efficiencies and security improvements for the administration of the museum.

Beaver Island Rural Health Center Grant: $11,236

This grant will help the BIRHC secure safe and reliable vehicle for use by HC personnel in the performance of their daily work routines. The vehicle is to be used by HC personnel for: allowing medical personnel to make house calls when needed; picking up or delivering health care professionals arriving or departing the Island by ferry or plane; enabling temporary personnel or newly hired personnel domiciled in HC housing, to commute to and from their temporary Island residence to work; collecting medication, supplies, mail, and facilitating bank deposits; and attending meetings and other work-related activities on the Island.

Preservation Association of Beaver Island Grant: $1,500

In September of 2019, the Irish Currach Club of Milwaukee brought two currachs (Irish rowing boats) and ten members to the inaugural Emerald Irish Féile. The currachs were a huge success at the Féile. Now, this grant will help to bring the Milwaukee Currach Club back, plus members of the Boston Currach Club to the 2023 Irish Festival for an American Currach Association-sanctioned regatta. This would be the first such regatta in the state of Michigan and reinforces Beaver Island's authentic link to Ireland and its growing recognition as an authentic Irish American Emigrant community.

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Charlevoix Area

Charlevoix Area Community Pool Grant: $9,000

The Charlevoix Area Community Pool building was expanded in 2018, the grounds were disturbed, and trees needed to be removed. Then, the parking lot was expanded in 2021. Now: landscaping. This grant will help the CACP to take out the scrubby bushes between the building and US 31 at the entrance and add plants around the side of the building that faces the entrance to the parking lot. In addition to enhancing the look of the building, this work will also help with water runoff from the roof which goes into the parking area.

Charlevoix Historical Society Grant: $10,000

The computer equipment at the Historical Society office is becoming out of date and is inadequate to support the needs of the organization. Specific needs include a server to house the vast collections of photographs and documents securely, a network and accessories to improve operations and connect all CHS computers to the common server, and a firewall and other security software and hardware to protect the collections and improve cyber security for the organization. This grant will be used to help purchase the necessary hardware and software items and will build on previous C3F grants.

City of Charlevoix Grant: $10,000

Able Eyes, a Michigan-based company, provides visual, state-of-the-art experiences and teaching tools for children and adults with disabilities. Able Eyes provides a user-friendly platform to explore environments from several different perspectives, using 360-degree virtual tours of the space. The goal of this program is to make public spaces and businesses more accessible and inclusive for people of all abilities by offering virtual tours. Visit Charlevoix, along with partners Pure Michigan/Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Able Eyes, will highlight the accessibility of Charlevoix through this program.

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East Jordan Area

City of East Jordan Grant: $2,500

In partnership with the City of East Jordan, the American Legion will develop the current GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Park in downtown East Jordan into a Veterans Memorial Park. A site plan has been established and approved. This plan is divided into four phases and is projected to be completed in 2024. This grant will support the first phase of the project - the removal of the trees and relocation of the gazebo.

City of East Jordan Grant: $9,000

The City of East Jordan is updating its 5-year master plan for the City's Parks and Recreation Department. The plan will include public workshops, questionnaires, and website surveys to gather adequate input from the community. With a new plan, the City will continue to focus on improving major parks while looking at other areas of attention and creating more of a connection across the community to the downtown area. Funding will assist with developing the updated plan.

East Jordan Ambulance Association Grant: $5,287

The EMS Authority hosts CPR and First Aid training for crew members, other health care professionals, and the community. They regularly offer community classes and schedule businesses to come in and certify the entire staff on CPR, AED, and first aid. The training equipment being used is outdated and needs to be replaced/updated. This grant will help purchase four new AED trainers and four new CPR ‘manikins’ for community trainings, plus two CO2 monitors for patient assessment and monitoring in the field.

Friends of the Jordan River Watershed Grant: $20,500

Since 2014, local citizens, community advocates, and business stakeholders have been exploring how to extend walkable trails along both sides of the Jordan River from downtown East Jordan to Rogers Road. With much of the land already in public ownership, this group recognizes the opportunity to create a large, connected trail system that is accessible from town. This grant will build on a past C3F grant and help start the project with engineering and construction of the Connector Trail, the first leg of the Jordan River Watershed Trail. This section runs from Sportsman's Park to the Friends of Jordan River Watershed Center. Partners include City of East Jordan and Little Traverse Conservancy.

Jordan River Arts Council Grant: $9,000

JRAC, in collaboration with the East Jordan American Legion, the Jordan Art Walk Committee, and East Jordan High School, is seeking funds to construct a "Star" sculpture that will honor and highlight the contributions of East Jordan's veterans. The sculpture will be created by the East Jordan High School welding class under the direction of artist-in-residence, Ann Gildner (Industrial Arts Institute of Onaway) and EJ welding instructor, Dave Muladore. The sculpture will become a part of the American Legion's Grand Army Republic (GAR) Park plan as a permanent installation and will be added to the newly created Art Walk of East Jordan. Learn more

Little Traverse Conservancy Grant: $4,000

To provide more opportunities to access nature, Little Traverse Conservancy has identified a nature preserve located between the communities of Ellsworth and East Jordan as a great candidate for a publicly accessible trail. The Nathan Beem Memorial Nature Preserve was established in 2019 and has riparian wetland habitat along Six Mile Lake, but it also abuts Miles Road and has upland habitats that would be very suitable for a trail system. This grant will help LTC to add a trail plus a driveway and parking area for access to the preserve.

The Depot Jordan Valley Teen Center Grant: $12,500

The mission of The Depot is to provide the community's teens (6th-12th grades) with a safe place to BE and a path to BECOME positive influences as spouses, parents, and members of the community. Studies show the hours between the end of school and when parents get home from work are the highest risk for teens to fall into risky behaviors. As such, The Depot provides a healthy environment with adult supervision as well as programs and activities during these times as positive alternatives. This grant will help provide healthy snacks and warm meals for kids, financial literacy resources and training, and support for rented space to host these programs.

Training Wheels Childcare Center Grant: $3,500

Playing outside promotes physical health. It isn’t just fun - it can provide hours of important learning and growth opportunities for the youngest community members. Training Wheels Childcare Center has many outdoor toys, for all seasons, to help promote children's growth, development, confidence, and skills. But their current storage shed is falling into disrepair and it's difficult to access year-round. This grant will help them to purchase a new shed with a slide-up door for outdoor storage that will hold the outdoor toys and be more easily accessible, no matter the season.

Charlevoix Area Community Pool Amount Awarded: $1,000

The CACP Board recommends adding security cameras on the exterior of the building that tie into the existing interior system and can be viewed by the Pool Manager and front desk as live feed. Grant funds will purchase cameras to increase security for visitors.

Charlevoix Kiwanis Youth Foundation Amount Awarded: $1,000

The Kiwanis Club of Charlevoix are looking to purchase a book vending machine and to stock it full of books for the first year in coordination with the school librarian for book selection. Grant funds will help purchase the machine and installation, and the custom wrap and books for the first year.

East Jordan Public Schools Amount Awarded: $625

EJ Middle High School is partnering with Matrix Entertainment on their National Save A life Tour to bring awareness and education to teen drivers in the areas of impaired driving and distracted driving. Grant funds will support this educational partnership.

Lake Louise Christian Community, Camp & Retreat Center Amount Awarded: $800

LLCC is starting an annual tree planting program to help increase biodiversity in the forest and manage invasive species that can outcompete native plants and trees. Grant funds will help purchase startup equipment and the first round of trees as well as supplies to help with the removal of invasive species.

Raven Hill Discovery Center Amount Awarded: $750

RHDC is hiring a consultant to help design and implement a detailed and workable succession plan that will ensure the future vision of RH for the next CEO. Grant funds will help hire the consultant.

Jordan River Arts Council Amount Awarded: $1,000

JRAC's artist-in-residence is working with the EJ High School welding class to create a sculpture to install for the Jordan Art Walk. Material costs have skyrocketed, resulting in the need for funding to help finish the project. Grant funds will help purchase more stainless steel to finish the sculpture.

Beaver Island Historical Society Amount Awarded: $500

Registration for BIHS’s childrens day camp has doubled for in its second year and additional dollars are needed in order to keep camp affordable for families. Grant funds support program costs such as snacks, supplies and staffing.

Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra Amount Awarded: $1,000

The GLCO is hosting an outdoor summer concert series called “Little Bay Live” to make music accessible to more people of all ages and provide opportunities for GLCO musicians to perform. Grant funds will support the expansion of concerts to BC and EJ.

East Jordan Historical Society Amount Awarded: $750

The Portside Arts Fair Committee - a fundraising arm of EJ Historical Society - plans to bring back the student booth at this year's event. Grant funds will help students prepare their work for exhibition and sale at the event and provide a "Best in Show" prize for one of the student artist's top pieces.

Kiersten's Ride Amount Awarded: $1,000

Kiersten's Ride needs updated technology to provide evidence-based trainings for suicide prevention to multiple groups at a time and reduce barriers in the community. Grant funds will help purchase new laptop computers and a projector.

St. Mary School Amount Awarded: $769

St. Mary School needs help replacing rubber mulch on the playground which helps keep kids safe while by providing a more cushioned landing for falls or jumps. Funds will purchase the rubber mulch.

Preservation Association of Beaver Island Amount Awarded: $1,000

The BI Irish Festival is in need of some funding to help finish out their marketing materials to help promote the event. Funds will help with printing materials as well as daily web updates.

Boyne Arts Collective Amount Awarded: $1,000

The Boyne Arts Center plans to bring art classes to both children and seniors throughout the fall. Grant funds will help purchase art supplies for the various classes and workshops planned.

Crooked Tree Arts Center Amount Awarded: $890

CTAC-Petoskey needs to replace two gallery lighting dimming controllers that have been deemed unrepairable by the manufacturer. Grant funding will help purchase new model controllers to create the optimal exhibit-viewing experience for patrons.

City of Charlevoix Amount Awarded: $1,000

The Shop with a Hero program pairs kids in financial need with a Police Officer, Fire Fighter, EMS personnel, or a Coast Guard member to go Christmas shopping at Meijer with a hero. Grant funds will purchase Meijer gift cards for the children.

Lake Side Elite Amount Awarded: $1,000

With the rising costs of food, fuel and other household expenses, requests for financial support for LSE program participants have increased. Grant funds will provide scholarships for tuition and fees.

East Jordan Public Schools Amount Awarded: $1,000

EJMHS is partnering with multiple school districts in the Lake Michigan Conference to have Max Stossel, founder and CEO of Social Awakening, present in Charlevoix County. His presentations focus on developing awareness around the way technology and social media are impacting our lives. Grant funds will support bringing Max to speak at the social media awareness assembly.

The Depot Jordan Valley Teen Center Amount Awarded: $200

The Depot is in need of two-way radios for effective communication among staff, and chargers for students’ devices. Grant funds will provide two-way radios as well as a charging station and cables.

Hospice of Michigan Amount Awarded: $5,000

Quality of Life funds help assist with basic needs for patients, so families can focus on their loved one and enjoy what time they have left together. Grant funds will help patients with relocation services, the purchase of a neck support device and a portable wheelchair ramp, and financial assistance for utilities.

Health Department of Northwest Michigan Amount Awarded: $3,000

Through partnerships with Charlevoix County public schools and Charlevoix County Commission on Aging meal sites, the “Share a Smile, Not A Toothbrush” program raises awareness about oral and physical health among local school age children and seniors. Grant funds will provide toothbrush kits, which include a toothbrush, floss, toothpaste, and oral health education materials.

Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan Amount Awarded: $25,000

RMHCWMI addresses healthcare disparities by serving as a bridge for rural families that are not proximate to world-class healthcare providers. Grant funds will support the costs of running the House and the amenities provided.

Manna Food Project Amount Awarded: $15,000

Manna strives to provide high quality, nutritious food to pantry clients and partner agencies by purchasing locally grown produce and, when possible, local lean protein. Grant funds will help purchase high-quality produce and protein for distribution to our eight Charlevoix County partner agencies.

McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation Amount Awarded: $15,000

Of Michigan’s 2,287 adult inpatient psychiatric beds, only 32 are located in the MNM service area. Grant funds will support the construction of the Justin A. Borra Behavioral Health Center on the Cheboygan Campus, which will include two inpatient units, a partial hospitalization program, de-escalation unit, as well as a wide range of programs and therapies to meet the recovery needs of behavioral health patients.

The Salvation Army Amount Awarded: $20,000

The Salvation Army is renovating a new community center that will allow them to expand critical programs and services that directly affect urgent basic human needs of many residents in Charlevoix County. Grant funds will help with building renovations to expand capacity.

Northmen Den Youth Pantries Inc. Amount Awarded: $5,000

NDYP has expanded to open their first pantry in Charlevoix County at Round Lake Education Center. Grant funds will help stock the Charlevoix County pantry with needed food and personal hygiene items.

Char-Em ISD Amount Awarded: $10,000

Great Start Collaborative places children in high-quality, tuition-based local preschool programs that meet a rating of 3 or higher within Michigan’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. Grant funds will provide scholarships for at least eight Charlevoix County children.

Baseball-Softball Fields of Boyne Inc Grant: $5,000

Also known as Waterfront Field of Dreams, this organization is renovating and restoring the Boyne City waterfront Little League Park. Funding will help purchase portable pitcher's mounds, bases, and plates unique to an artificial turf field. The portable mound will expand the use of the field for high school teams and adult women fastpitch softball.

Beaver Island Historical Society Grant: $2,500

The Historical Society's Kids Camp seeks to expand capacity and offer four stipends to qualified early childhood educators to lead camp for two different sessions, ages 5-8 and ages 9-12. Grant funds will also be used to help fund travel and lodging for off-Island counselors and needed project supplies for engaging age-appropriate activities such as story hours, dance, art projects or technology activities.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of NW MI Grant: $10,000

Big Brothers Big Sisters seeks to support the cost of an Advancement Specialist position to develop, cultivate, and steward donors in the Charlevoix and Emmet communities for one year. The Advancement Specialist position will grow revenue sources, increase volunteers, and build capacity to continue the work of the organization and grow their footprint.

Boyne Area Skate Park Grant: $1,863

Boyne Area Skate Park seeks to provide a safe, well-maintained skate park/pump track for local youth and adults to develop skateboarding/mountain biking skills. Developing a skate park is done in three phases. Funds will be used towards the first phase for a professional company to complete a conceptual design specific to the site that takes into consideration the site survey including soil reports, elevations, and drainage systems.

Boyne District Library Grant: $2,500

The Youth Services Department plans to hold a Family Dinner Book Club in March 2023. They will meet weekly for four weeks and provide dinner while reading books aloud to the group. The program provides opportunities for children and their parents to discuss topics that directly impact children, to engage children in reading and make connections to the child's life through thoughtful, open- ended questions and active discussion. Funds will allow each family to receive a copy of each book for their family bookshelf.

Camp Daggett Grant: $4,600

Every camper who attends Camp Daggett goes on an overnight campout during their week-long stay. The current equipment being used is quite worn and needs to be updated. Improved and updated equipment will create better first-time campout experiences for young campers, which will encourage campers to continue camping, try longer trips, and build a lifelong appreciation of the outdoors. Funds will help to purchase tents and campout equipment.

Charlevoix Kiwanis Youth Foundation Grant: $6,300
With funding, Kiwanis will purchase books for the new Book Vending Machine at Charlevoix Elementary School. Students are rewarded for good behavior, good grades, good attendance, or demonstrating kindness with a gold token which is used to “purchase” a book of their choice. The gold tokens can be given by the principal, teachers, lunch workers, bus drivers, librarians, coaches and others to reward students with the goal of improved behaviors, school atmosphere, and increased literacy.

Child and Family Services of NW MI Grant: $5,000

This grant will be used to provide Charlevoix County foster children and youth with mental health services not typically covered by insurance such as play therapy, equine assisted therapy, occupational therapy, and foster parent and caseworker consultation with a therapist, as well as other forms of support that the foster child or youth may not otherwise be able to access. Some funds will also be used to provide transportation to and from appointments to help alleviate the burden on foster parents.

Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Grant: $4,000

This project aims to ensure Girl Scouts and Troop Leaders from Charlevoix County have the skills to improve their mental health and increase the level of participation in Girl Scouting. Through the expertise of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), troop leaders in Charlevoix County will receive training to support the mental well-being of the girls. Additionally, workshops have been developed for Juniors (grades 4-5), Cadettes (grades 6-8), and Seniors and Ambassadors (grades 8-12) that provide age-specific information and engaging activities about mental wellness, behavioral issues, and healthy habits.

Great Lakes Center for the Arts Grant: $2,500

The Great Lakes Center for the Arts "Next Gen" program presents the Human[kind] Cinema Series. Next fall, they plan to present the film "Hidden Figures" to Charlevoix County students in grades 9– 12 and offer a thought-provoking study of the characters and their stories. Integrative discussion questions will connect film content to concepts critical to healthy social and intrapersonal skills (e.g., empathy, courage, loyalty). Discussions have the power to make visible what was previously hidden; raise awareness about difficult issues affecting students; and provide opportunities for students to connect around problems as well as solutions, empowering them to positively impact school culture and increase well-being.

Northern Michigan Equine Therapy Grant: $4,000
Northern Michigan Equine Therapy (NMET) requested a technology and systems upgrade to launch a new mental health and disabilities awareness campaign via social media and monthly newsletters to help spread awareness and support of youth mental health needs within our community. By streamlining all systems they can more efficiently communicate services to clients, donors, volunteers, foundations, and the community overall. Funding will help purchase technology and software programs.

Planned Parenthood of Michigan Grant: $8,000
Planned Parenthood of Michigan will provide age-appropriate, high-quality, culturally-informed, medically accurate sexual health education and will address gaps present within representation, inclusivity, and affirmation for LGBTQ+ youth in the sexual health education and information they receive. The IN*clued Project will provide LGBTQ+ youth with education that affirms and includes their identities, experiences, and sexual health needs as well as empower adult advocates, such as guidance counselors and school-based social workers, to be active allies and support school atmosphere for LGBTQ+ youth in Charlevoix County schools.

WAI-IAM, Inc. Grant: $12,000

STR8TALK is a captivating, interactive stage‐presentation that takes viewers into the life of a young man fighting with addiction, the parents’ struggle, and ultimately what tools lead to breaking the cycle for both the addict and the loved ones. STR8TALK is designed to reach high school students and communities with messages of hope, awareness, and tools to help anyone struggling.

Women's Resource Center of N MI Grant: $10,000

The Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan will provide trauma-informed, survivor- centered therapeutic counseling for child and youth survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, sexual abuse, bullying, stalking, and any other form of victimization or gender-based violence as identified by survivors. Funds will be used primarily for salaries to provide critical counseling services through accessible, trauma-informed, strengths-based supportive counseling services with Master's-level licensed therapists. Funds may additionally support the provision of accessible tele- services and expenses related to technology.