News
Youth needs grant recipients
We're excited to announce this year's recipients of Youth Needs grants! Each year, grant applications are reviewed by the C3F Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), a group of 15 high school students from throughout Charlevoix County. The YAC meets about once a month to share their perspectives on local issues, set grantmaking priorities, advocate for youth needs, engage in community service with local nonprofit organizations, and put philanthropy into action. This year, the YAC recommended grants to 21 local organizations totaling $77,665 with C3F donor advisors adding another $18,700 for a total of $96,365 in grantmaking.
An important part of their grantmaking process is knowing the collective concerns of the age group that the YAC is representing. This is measured through a Needs Assessment survey that is conducted every three years and distributed by the YAC to the local school districts. The results of their 2025 Needs Assessment indicated a grantmaking priority area of youth mental health and top concerns around academic stress and school atmosphere. The YAC prioritize grant funds that impact work done in those areas.
Using their 2025 Needs Assessment as a guide, the YAC awarded $62,664 in grants to 11 organizations offering programming in youth mental health, academic stress and school atmosphere:
Beaver Island Rural Health Center: $5,032
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan, Inc.: $9,200
Boyne City Public Schools – E.P.I.C. : $1,500
Boyne District Library: $1,132
Char-Em ISD: $9,000
Child Abuse Prevention & Education Council: $3,500
Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan: $5,000
East Jordan Public Schools: $4,500
Planned Parenthood of Michigan: $8,000
Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan: $11,000
Wildfire Dreams Sanctuary: $4,800
The YAC also considers many youth-oriented grant opportunities outside of their Needs Assessment focus areas. This year’s grantmaking will also support another 10 local organizations providing $33,701 for education projects, human services programs, and recreational opportunities across Charlevoix County.
Beaver Island Historical Society: $3,000
Boyne Area Gymnastics: $10,225
Boyne City Public Schools – Rambler Power: $1,501
Camp Daggett: $1,500
Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore: $2,000
Hospice of Michigan: $2,000
Northern Michigan Equine Therapy: $3,750
Raven Hill Discovery Center : $3,500
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council: $3,500
Tunes Music Makers: $2,725
Boyne City High School Senior Emma Patten shared, “As President of the Youth Advisory Committee, I am proud to celebrate another successful grant cycle full of thoughtful contributions and constructive discussions. This being my last year on the YAC, I believe now more than ever that being able to revise grants and allocate funds to programs that we resonate with is a truly unique experience, and I would not trade it for anything. I would like to thank our grant applicants, donors, committee advisor Megan DeHoog, and especially my fellow committee members, whom I am happy to also consider as friends. It saddens me to think that our grantmaking season is already over, but I know that there is a bright future for the YAC and everyone involved. I cannot wait to see what is to come!”
For detailed summaries of each grant, visit our Recent Grants page.