challenge met

urgent needs grants awarded

apply for an urgent needs grant

support relief and repair following March ice storm

Ice, power loss, down trees, and impassable roads are causing problems across Charlevoix County. The Urgent Needs Fund supports friends and neighbors in need by helping organizations provide access to food, shelter, safety, healthcare, transportation, and more for Charlevoix County residents. This spring, the 'more' will include grants to partners who are providing relief like warming locations during power loss and who will provide repair following the damage caused by falling trees. Support the Urgent Needs Fund to help the Community Foundation help friends and neighbors. 

 

focusing on student success

In communities across Charlevoix County, schools provide students with a nurturing place for learning and growing. In addition to engaging activities, challenging concepts, and valuable extra-curricular experiences, schools are increasingly providing food and clothing or support navigating post-secondary career paths. With dedicated school personnel as our partners, the Community Foundation can help donors just like you to remove barriers to learning as well as increase opportunities for students to achieve.

 

 

C3F Endowments for Student Success can be enriched or established to support students by providing engaging opportunities and encouraging students to become successful community citizens.

The Community Foundation partners with school leaders to offer strategic support to make a difference where tax support can't. Our staff is in regular contact with pre-K through 12 educators who understand issues families, students, and schools are facing today. By gathering superintendents together annually, Community Foundation staff can learn from these leaders and the leaders themselves can benefit from building peer relationships. Grant funds provided once per year must be used intentionally, and the Community Foundation requires accountability for use of those funds. School partners are also given the flexibility to put the dollars to best use as needs change over time.

For example, recent Student Success grants funded projects such as purchasing snowshoes for students to stay active, purchasing and installing new outdoor playground equipment suitable for preschool students, funding youth mentoring programs, upgrading library facilities and media centers, purchasing new equipment to support STEM programs, improved signage and security at school, and helping to fund both science and Spanish language field trips. These are programs that may not have happened without grants from C3F.

C3F established funds to support schools in Beaver Island, Boyne City, Boyne Falls, Charlevoix, and East Jordan. Gifts of all sizes can make a difference for local students by supporting any of these Endowments for Student Success. These are combined with Student Success Funds sponsored by our donors. For a minimum of $10,000, any donor can establish a named Endowment for Student Success that will provide resources annually to an area school district.

To find out more, or to make a donation, visit our Giving Hub.

 

youth advisory committee day of service
 

Watch the YAC in action at their annual day of service meeting volunteering for PoWeR! Book Bags.

 

rooted in community - the c3f founders

Seated: John Frey, Joyce Herbert, Mike Stowe, Vel Kammermann

L-R: Steve Weber, Scott Beatty, John Dixon, Gen Varnum, Bill Lorne, Lou Hollow, Cal Diller

 

In 1992, a group of eager volunteers led the charge to start a community foundation in Charlevoix County. Preliminary work began thanks to generous support from the Frey Foundation, the Council of Michigan Foundations, the Malpass Foundation, East Jordan Iron Works (EJ), and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. The Charlevoix County Community Foundation officially opened for business on August 12, 1992.

“In the beginning it was slow going because the concept of a community foundation was new to most people,” remembers Bill Lorne, a founding trustee. “People connecting with other folks in their communities was what helped keep us moving forward. Early trustees helped local business-owners and other decision-makers understand what a community foundation could mean for our community.”

Burnette Foods, East Jordan Plastics, Industrial Magnetics, Lexalite and others also helped the young organization: “We had office space provided for no cost in a building in downtown East Jordan,” remembers Laura Hansen, the Community Foundation’s first employee. “We often walked through fitness classes in order to reach it, which is pretty funny to look back on.”

Today, C3F is still about helping local people make a difference close to home. The vision of a vibrant community where friends and neighbors can thrive remains the focus. We work to connect people who care to needs and opportunities in Charlevoix County. With years of strong leadership from the Board of Trustees and dedicated staff, C3F has developed from a big idea to a credible, trusted, and people-focused organization serving our community’s present and future.

 

 

 

scholarship applications open

Are you a new or returning student in the Nursing or Medical Field? Don't miss our special scholarship application round just for you! Deadline to apply is June 30th. Questions about the application process? Contact Megan DeHoog at mdehoog@c3f.org. 

 

click here to apply

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

community priorities grant cycle open now

Our 2025 Community Priorities grant cycle is now open! We are accepting applications from eligible nonprofit partners (501c3 organizations, government entities, and schools) until March 1, 2025 at 11:59pm. All applications begin with a phone call with Ashley Cousens, Community Grantmaking staff member. 

 

Use this link to schedule time on her calendar to get started! https://calendly.com/acousens/grant-intake-call

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE?

Our Legacy Society members are people who care about our community and included C3F in their Will, trust, or IRA to leave a legacy that will benefit C3F and area nonprofits forever. Learn how you can join Babs today.

 

 

 READ Babs's STORY HERE

WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON INSTAGRAM

Stay up-to-date with all the latest news and information about C3F and our programs by joining us on our Instagram Page! Just seach for us at CharlevoixC3F or follow this link.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grants in Action - Boyne City public schools program, where everyone belongs

A recent C3F Student Success grant for Boyne City Public Schools supported a 5th grade mentoring program called WEB – Where Everybody Belongs. The program matches up fifth grade students with eighth grade mentors for the entire school year. Events each year include an orientation, two social events, two academic support events, and monthly check-ins for mentors to check in with mentees. Students and parents have given positive feedback on the success of the program in fostering connection, belonging, and leadership skills. One student remarked, "Some of the wonderful things about middle school are the fun activities —such as track, drama, WEB activities with youth leaders, and much more. I was nervous about the stuff we would do, but it turned out to be the best year of my life."

 

Grants in Action - Charlevoix Elementary School STEM program

A recent C3F Student Success grant for Charlevoix Public Schools Elementary School helped purchase technology equipment for a new STEM program. Thanks to our donors, they were able to purchase Code and Go Mice and Dash Robots to teach coding to all students, as well as a 3D printer and the accompanying software. C3F staff, Matt and Megan, were able to visit the 4th grade class using the 3D printer software to design nametag keychains. They also observed 1st graders count a pattern and program Code and Go Mice to reach the target - the Lorax, in this case! The teacher of the STEM classes reflected, “Overall this was a huge success and honestly, not only did all students make leaps and bounds in these two areas, I would say I made the most growth in learning not only how to operate these devices, but how to teach these to the students. I am very excited for next year when we can build upon what they have gained this year.” C3F staff could not agree more. It was a great day to get a glimpse of what the future can hold when we train young minds in STEM.

 

 

Grants in Action - great lakes chamber orchestra's women composers night

A 2023 Arts & Culture grant helped the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra to put on a unique concert. Women Composers Night was dedicated to celebrating female composers while promoting their work and talents in the performing arts. All the pieces performed at the concert were composed by female composers and featured a rising star, Asian-American young violin soloist Karisa Chiu who received a standing ovation for her performance of Amanda Meier's Violin Concerto.  This piece was significant as Meier, herself a violinist and an award-winning composer, was the first female in history to receive a musical degree. Almost 67% of the attendees were women and girls. Additionally, GLCO Music Director Dr. Libor Ondras attracted over 100 community members to the pre-concert talk with his discussion around the pieces, composers, and historical evolution of the acceptance of female composers in the male-dominated field of classical music. It was a memorable concert that left a long-lasting impact on attendees and musicians alike. 

 

 

Grants in Action - City of Boyne City's Police Department 

A recent Community Priorities grant to the City of Boyne City's Police Department helped them to purchase drones for use in the line of duty. C3F Community Grantmaking staffer, Ashley Cousens, recently enjoyed attending part of the collaborative drone training held in Boyne City, put on by the BC Police Department and the Michigan Public Safety Drone Association. The training included officers from several departments including the Sheriff's Department, the DNR, and others. Officers shared how the drones have already come in handy for helping to fight a fire - by locating the source of the blaze with the infrared technology, they were able to save more of the structure that was burning. The training simulations included a fire on a boat in Lake Charlevoix as well as a search and rescue operation for a missing teenage paddle boarder. These two scenarios helped officers to learn about the various features and capabilities of the drones while providing them opportunities to practice and learn together in community. Often these various departments have to help each other out and collaborate, and this technology is making it easier for them to help people in our community. It's truly amazing what these drones can see and do! 

 

 

Grants in Action - preservation association of beaver island

At C3F we enjoy hearing about the ripple effects that can sometimes come from our grantmaking. Sometimes the ripples are small, and other times they can be more like big waves! A recent Geographic Enrichment grant to the Preservation Association of Beaver Island certainly felt some big ripples last year. The grant itself was to help the Irish Feile (Festival) bring a couple of Currach rowing teams to the Island to compete in an Irish cultural event. Festival organizers said, "the grant did much more than provide two days of Irish Currach rowing in beautiful Paradise Bay; it supported a festival that is an authentic cultural connection between Arranmore Island, Ireland and Beaver Island. A crowd of over 300 gathered on the Beaver Island Ferry Dock for the arrival of the over 120 people from our sister island and all will forever remember when the ramp of the Emerald Isle Ferry dropped and the Arranmore Pipe Band in their glory and their grief (they had just lost their band leader to a heart attack) marched onto the dock to cement a centuries old connection between Beaver Island and Arranmore Island. From that moment the festival took on a life of its own and all the planning in the world could not have anticipated the warmth and camaraderie that would permeate the island for the next few days.  The grant helped make that happen and the Currach Rowing was a major part of the festival, bringing festival goers together on the beach and in the boats and gave them common experiences to share during the festival." The Irish Feile takes place the second weekend in September each year. You can learn more about it here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067454371257

 

 

 

Grants in Action - crooked tree arts center theater painting

Crooked Tree Arts Center recently had help from a C3F Arts & Culture grant to paint their theater. While the organization had to overcome some delays and obstacles in getting this work done, it is now beautifully completed! Getting into all the lovely nooks and crannies up high was certainly a feat, and you can see how creative the team had to get with the scaffolding to reach everywhere they needed to paint. Thanks to many donors and the community, this theater is now freshly painted and gorgeous! If you haven't found a reason to get in there and check it out, you can stay tuned on CTAC's Facebook page to see what's coming up so you can catch the next show and enjoy this beautiful space. 

 

 

 

Grants in Action - Village of Boyne Falls Dam

The Village of Boyne Falls is stepping up to do something extraordinary – free the Boyne River’s South Branch of its only remaining dam. The Village owns Boyne Falls Dam on the South Branch of the Boyne River, a significant tributary to the Boyne River mainstem and Lake Charlevoix in Charlevoix County. The health of the Boyne River and Lake Charlevoix is essential to the region’s quality of life. The Village of Boyne Falls and community partners want to complete a feasibility study to provide a clear “road map” from which to base future management decisions for the dam and nearby infrastructure. Before they could do that, though, they needed to get the word out and have the community better understand what's at stake. A recent C3F Community Priorities grant helped the Village to create an informational pamphlet, explaining the problems and outlining the proposed solutions. The pamphlet is now available in Boyne Falls for anyone interested in learning more. Removing the dam will help to protect aquatic habitat diversity, protect and improve water resource quality, maintain excellent recreational opportunities, and support sustainable watershed management practices. Those interested in reading the full informational pamphlet or getting their own print copy can reach out to the Village of Boyne Falls at 231-549-2443, village011@centurytel.net, or you can swing by the village office on Mondays between 6:30 and 8pm. 

 

 

 

Grants in Action - Charlevoix-emmet isd

Many local families find themselves struggling to afford the cost of preschool tuition. Two government programs (federal and state) that provide free preschool to children based on financial need and risk factors fill to capacity quickly, leaving about 40 children in our area waiting for a preschool opportunity. A recent Community Priorities grant to Charlevoix-Emmet ISD helped to put 8 Charlevoix County kids through preschool in the '23-24 school year. Both pre and post preschool assessments showed developmental growth in students. Parents who received scholarships reported experiencing reduced stress levels and noted that their children were engaging more with others, communicating more effectively, and acquiring school readiness skills.

 

GRANTS IN ACTION - LITTLE TRAVERSE CONSERVANCY

The Little Traverse Conservancy set themselves a big goal when they worked with the sellers of the largest remaining undeveloped, unprotected shoreline on Lake Michigan in Emmet and Charlevoix Counties last year. With a price point of more than $3 million, every dollar really did count. A C3F Community Priorities grant, combined with more than 150 other donors and contributors, helped LTC to acquire the property and secure its protection forever. Sometimes, on these larger projects, our grants can seem like a drop in the bucket, but we believe in the power of collaboration because we have seen our community come together to do big things that matter, like this. Thanks to so many in our community who care for our natural resources, Enji-minozhiiyaamigak, the Place of Peacefulness, is now protected. Great news - you can go there because it's open to the public! And soon, there will be a universally accessible trail to enjoy as well. We are proud to have partnered with LTC on this work. 

 

 

GRANTS IN ACTION - NORTHERN MICHIGAN EQUINE THERAPY

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.

 

 

GRANTS IN ACTION - solar boat washing station

Did you know? There is a new law requiring boaters to clean, drain, and dry their boats after exiting a body of water in Michigan, and before entering another body of water. This new law is intended to help stop the spread of invasive species in our beautiful lakes and rivers. Currently, one local organization is leading the pack in providing a practical way to comply with this new law. Thanks to an Environment & Land Use grant from C3F, Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy has installed solar boat washing stations at 4 of the 6 boat launches on Walloon Lake. Their larger goal is to have a boat wash station at all 6 of the launches, so they are well on their way, thanks to support from grants, the community, and collaboration with local townships. Right now, the only invasive present in Walloon Lake is Eurasian milfoil, and according to board chair, Russ Kittleson and former Executive Director, Josephine Roberts, (pictured with C3F Staffer, Ashley Cousens) they did not see an increase in that plant this year, a credit to the over 2,500 uses of the new boat wash stations around the lake. Each boat wash station includes a brush, vacuum, blower, and other tools to help boaters remove plants and water from their boats when they are ready to leave the lake. In this way, one small action from boaters can help to make a big ripple effect in protecting our beautiful natural resources.

 

 

 

GRANTS IN ACTION - Don & Eileen Klein Nature Trail 

We love a good collaboration! And the community of East Jordan is delivering a great one, as the team of partners bring the Don & Eileen Klein Nature Trail to fruition. A group of citizens, plus the City of East Jordan, Little Traverse Conservancy, Friends of the Jordan River Watershed, C3F, local businesses, and community donors are seeing the fruits of their labor! A grant through the C3F Geographic Enrichment cycle last year helped to bring the first trail segment to life. Beginning at Sportsman's Park, the universally accessible trail will continue on, with boardwalks and packed gravel, winding its way through the Jordan River Valley and up to meet the Rogers Homestead Preserve on the corner of Erie and Echo Streets in East Jordan. Way to work together to bring something truly awesome to our community!

 

 

grants in action - Good Neighbors food pantry of Boyne City 

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.

 

grants in action - the honor star

Students from East Jordan and Boyne City designed and created a ten-foot stainless steel star in honor of local veterans through an artist in residence program hosted by the Jordan River Arts Council. With help from a Geographic Enrichment grant, JRAC hired Ann Gildner, an artist from the Industrial Arts Institute, to work with East Jordan High School welding students to design and build a sculpture for the Jordan Art Walk. Students brainstormed the words to be included on the star, which describe what it means to be a person in service to our country. A strong partnership emerged between JRAC, EJPS, Dave Muladore's welding class, and the American Legion through this work. The sculpture is now in a place of honor in the newly redesigned American Legion Veterans/ GAR Park on Main Street and is a permanent addition to the Jordan Art Walk.

 

GRANTS IN ACTION - Raven Hill discovery center - Smithsonian spark! Places of innovation exhibit

A recent Arts & Culture grant helped bring students out to Raven Hill Discovery Center for field trips to see the Smithsonian Spark! Places of Innovation exhibit while it was here, from August to early October 2023, showcasing innovations in rural areas. Cheri Leach also talked to students about some of the innovations at Raven Hill, like the magnet table, the energy bike, and the periodic table of elements. Connecting science, history, and art during a recent field trip, Cheri led 4^th graders from Boyne City (pictured) through a couple of rooms and then everyone spent some time exploring the hands-on features of the Spark! exhibit. Students were connecting what they learned at Raven Hill with what they were learning in their science classes at school and had fun doing it! The Smithsonian exhibit may have moved on, but there's always lots to see and learn at Raven Hill any time of year. 

 

 

 

grants in action - seed to salad program at EJPS

Last year, an East Jordan Geographic Enrichment Grant to EJPS made a huge difference for the school's outdoor garden program "Seed to Salad". 

With the support of a C3F grant, lots of donors and the help of the Shoe Club and the community, the Seed to Salad program installed a new hoop house and revitalized an indoor growing area. They purchased growing racks and lights for the indoor space and renovated the windows to provide light for plants. Students’ lives are being enriched through these additions – they are able to continue their hands on learning by growing plants year-round.

 

Youth Needs Grant success story - Boyne District Library

The C3F Youth Advisory Committee supported the Boyne District Library with funding to host “Family Dinner Book Club Nights” every Tuesday in March 2023. Families could join Ms. Mary for a delicious meal, reading of a children’s book, casual discussion, and activities for kiddos - all free of charge. By listening to the book reader, the children learned about how they can cope with their "worries" and "whatifs". Then they created a friendly looking "worry friend" out of yarn during craft time to help share their feelings when they can't quit find their words. The YAC were excited to see this grant come to fruition and to highlight youth mental health for young people and their families. Worries don't seem so big when you are able to share them with others.