News
2026 Geographic Enrichment Grant Awards
In October, we responded to grant requests from nonprofit partners in four geographic areas in Charlevoix County. Thanks to donors who look to us to make a difference close to home, grants have been awarded to nonprofits who will work to improve the quality of life on Beaver Island and in Boyne City, Charlevoix, and East Jordan. In all, 25 grants totaling $222,903 were awarded during the Geographic Enrichment cycle. Some of these grants are specific to only one city, while others will benefit multiple communities at once.
Five grants specific to Beaver Island were awarded to support the following organizations and initiatives: Beaver Island Community Center to help WVBI expand into additional space within the Community Center, Beaver Island Historical Society to support the "Voices Across the Water" initiative, Beaver Island Irish Heritage Group to support sending board and staff members to the Association of Irish & Celtic Festivals conference in May for professional development and networking, Patrons of the Arts in Rural Communities to purchase a passenger van, which will also be shared amongst other Island nonprofits for various events and festivals, and Tunes Music Makers to support annual costs of operating the studio.
Four grants specific to Boyne City were awarded to support the following organizations and initiatives: Boyne Area Free Clinic to support building renovations to help sustain this critical resource for the community, Boyne Eta Nu Charities to help to purchase winter clothing for youth in need, Boyne Valley Pantry to support purchasing food for the pantry, and Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity to help complete the construction of two homes.
Three grants specific to Charlevoix were awarded to support the following organizations and initiatives: Charlevoix Circle of Arts to support the “My Favorite Book Title” exhibition, Charlevoix Historical Society to support rebuilding the top of the pergola in Heritage Garden, and Lake Charlevoix Mariners/Sail Charlevoix to support the construction and installation of two new floating docks at Ferry Beach.
Nine grants specific to East Jordan were awarded to support the following organizations and initiatives: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan to support recruiting, screening, training, and matching 10 new mentors, City of East Jordan to help to purchase and install AEDs in community spaces, Communities In Schools of Northwest Michigan to support two Site Coordinators at EJPS, East Jordan Care & Share Program to support laundry vouchers for those in need, East Jordan Public Schools to help subsidize the Panama trip travel expenses for EJPS Spanish students in need, Jordan River Arts Council to support a soil sample study, topographical study, and site design plans to improve building accessibility, Raven Hill Discovery Center to support thoughtfully designed signage to guide exploration, reveal interdisciplinary connections, and engage learners of all ages, The Depot Jordan Valley Teen Center to help them add an AED, tables, chairs, and picnic tables, and Wagbo Peace Center to support replacing the maple syrup production building concrete floor.
Five grants were made to organizations that have impact in multiple communities: Good Samaritan Family Services to support client services such as providing food, clothing, home necessities, baby goods, and utility assistance for Charlevoix County families, Power Book Bags to support the Little Learners Program in Boyne City and Charlevoix as well as to provide books and literacy materials at the Beaver Island and East Jordan schools, Shoe Club Nation to develop and produce the second year curriculum for use in Boyne City and East Jordan, and Top of Michigan Trails Council to support engineering costs for the Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail.
Congratulations to all the award recipients this year.