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C3F Mini Grants are designed to fund projects that are small in scale, meet an unanticipated need or opportunity, help an organization with capacity building, or fall outside the timeline for our other responsive grant cycles. The cycle is open all year round and eligible nonprofit partners may apply for grants of up to $1,500 at any time. Last year we awarded $20,415 in Mini Grants to 16 local organizations.

Grant Recipients include:

Arts and Culture

Beaver Island Performing Arts Alliance Grant Amount: $1,500
The BIPAA has an Island tradition to host two free holiday concerts - one for the community and one at the school. The concerts have grown in popularity and now require audience members to reserve seats in advance. Grant funds helped cover the professional musicians' compensation.

East Jordan Historical Society Grant Amount: $1,000
The EJHS sought funding to cover printing costs for a new book titled "Engine No. 6 and the East Jordan & Southern Railroad". This book preserves the story of the railroad that helped East Jordan grow and prosper from the 1890s to the 1960s. Though Locomotive No. 6 still stands proudly in Sportsman’s Park, much of the railroad’s history exists only in scattered records and memories. This project gathered those materials into one accessible source for residents, students, and visitors, ensuring this important part of local history is not lost. Grant funds supported printing costs for the book.

Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra Grant Amount: $1,000
GLCO organized a free community concert in response to an ice storm that upended the lives of Northern Michigan families with the aim to provide comfort and hope to the community, symbolizing peace and resilience through music. Grant funds helped to support the musicians.

St. Mary of the Assumption Parish Grant Amount: $750
St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Charlevoix had the opportunity to host the Dorothy Gerber Strings Quartet for a community concert in November 2025. Grant funds supported paying musicians for their performance and providing a reception for the public after the concert.

Capacity Building

Beaver Island Historical Society Grant Amount: $1,500
The BIHS participated in the Certified Fund Raising Management (CFRM) program offered through the Lilly School of Philanthropy. This professional development opportunity was a critical step in building their organizational capacity, especially in the current climate where federal and state funding for humanities programs has been significantly reduced. Grant funds supported the necessary transportation costs incurred for attending 4 multi-day sessions on the mainland throughout 2025.

Beaver Island Rural Health Center Grant Amount: $1,250
The BIRHC created its first comprehensive and accurate donor email list, which is expected to significantly enhance the center's capacity to reach more donors, build generosity, boost visibility, and support capacity-building efforts. Grant funds supported staff efforts to create an accurate donor email list.

Patrons of the Arts in Rural Communities Grant Amount: $1,500
Travel was essential to attend and achieve the Indiana University's Certificate in Fundraising Management (CFRM), which equiped the PARC Executive Director with the knowledge and practical skills to excel in leadership roles within fundraising and philanthropy. Grant funds supported travel costs for attending CFRM courses on the mainland.

Training Wheels Childcare Center Grant Amount: $480
TWCC relies on printed materials for enhancing classroom activities, communicating important details with parents, ensuring proper paperwork and forms are on hand for staff and children, as well as general marketing and promotional materials to keep the center operating. A new printer that can keep up with high demand and be reliable for the long term was a huge help to the organization. Grant funds supported the printer purchase.

Tunes Music Makers Grant Amount: $1,500
As a new and growing nonprofit organization, TUNES is working diligently to establish a solid financial foundation. One of their primary goals is ensuring accurate financial management and compliance as they scale programs and expand their impact. Grant funding helped TUNES hire a Certified Public Accountant for the 2025 calendar year to provide quarterly financial reports, compliance assistance, 1099 services, tax services and budgeting guidance.

Education

East Jordan Public Schools – Elementary Grant Amount: $1,500
East Jordan Elementary School has a district-wide goal to improve literacy proficiency. Strategies to cultivate a love for reading and writing include high-quality instruction, student-led projects, and unique experiences led by staff and other outside organizations. Inspired by 3rd grader, Beatrice, their proposal involved promoting literacy and reading through a local author visit with Lindsay Moore. Grant funds supported the author visit and the purchase of a book of their choice by the author for the library and individual classrooms.

East Jordan Public Schools – Middle School Grant Amount: $1,326
The 6th graders participated in project-based learning to lead improvements at Camp Willie in collaboration with a local builder, tree expert, and the woods class. Grant funds helped the class install new benches near the archery building and lake, renovate the fire pit area, and construct a boardwalk for safer lake access.

Human Services

Community Recovery Alliance Grant Amount: $1,500
The CRA planed to start a SMART Meeting, with the help of a local therapist, to introduce SMART Recovery. This evidence-based initiative which aims to offer alternative recovery options, empower individuals, and create a cultural shift in addressing addiction for individuals seeking recovery support in Charlevoix County. Grant funds supported the SMART Meeting.

Boyne Eta Nu Charities Grant Amount: $1,500
Boyne Eta Nu Charities flagship program, "Dress For Chill," currently provides new winter outerwear for Boyne City Elementary, Head Start and preschool children. Grant funds expanded the program to 8th grade girls who were selected based on need by the Boyne City Middle School counseling office.

Health Department of Northwest Michigan Grant Amount: $1,500
A community donation in 2021 started the Unmet Needs fund for the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. It has since been depleted, leaving low-income families and children at risk. Often identified through home visits, the HDNWMI seeks to replenish this fund to help families create safer home environments, prevent child injuries, reduce family stress, and support child development, especially when financial burden is a factor. Grant funds helped purchase items such as baby gates, cribs, cabinet latches, outlet covers, smoke detectors, and similar supplies.

Joppa House Ministries Grant Amount: $1,109
For women in recovery, semi-independent living addresses distinct challenges including trauma histories, caregiving responsibilities, and social stigma. By blending appropriate structure with empowerment through the Alumni House model, Joppa House reduces the risk of relapse while promoting long-term stability and self-sufficiency for women graduating from the Joppa House program. Grant funds helped to purchase household items, providing a safe, welcoming environment as residents transition into the next phase of their recovery journey.

Strangers No Longer Grant Amount: $1,500
In Strangers No Longer's 5 years of outreach in Northern Michigan, both immigrant community members and service-providers regularly highlight the need for trained interpreters including at East Jordan Public Schools, Munson Hospital, the Health Department of Northwest Michigan,Good Neighbors Food Pantry, and the Boyne Area Free Clinic. Grant funds supported costs associated with 4 local leaders attending the Hispanic Center of West Michigan’s virtual community interpretation courses.