Funding Local Solutions. Fueling Community Impact.
Our strategic grantmaking supports nonprofit organizations, schools, and local governments whose work aligns with our mission to improve the quality of life for all people in Emmet County.
Community and Youth Grants
Offered twice per year, Community and Youth Grants support a wide range of needs in Emmet County. Proposals may address broad areas of impact, including health, education, housing, human services, the environment, arts and culture, and more.
Other Grant Opportunities
These funding opportunities support specific community goals and priorities. Grants vary in size and may operate on a rolling basis throughout the year or follow their own annual timeline and review process.
Grant Guidelines
What We Fund
Our grants focus on the community impact areas listed below, but also support projects beyond this list. Funding priorities vary by grant opportunity. All applications must benefit residents of Emmet County. Please reach out to our grants team at [email protected] to learn more.
Impact Areas
- Arts and Culture
- Community and Economic Development
- Education
- Environment
- Health and Human Services
- Recreation
- Youth (non-education)
Types of Requests
- Organizational Programming
Including salaries or administrative expenses relevant to the program or project
- Capacity Building
- Capital Campaigns
Including smaller capital projects
- General Operating Support
Including support for staffing expansion, technology, communications, small capital items, materials, and supplies necessary to fulfill your mission
We Do Not Fund
- Annual giving campaigns
- Support directly to individuals
- Religious programs that advocate specific religious doctrines or do not serve the broader community
- Services which are commonly recognized as government or school obligations
- Endowments
- Deficit funding or debt retirement, including operating expenses due to budget deficits or shortfalls
Eligibility
The following types of organizations are eligible to apply for Community Foundation grants:
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501c3 nonprofit organizations
We welcome requests from organizations of all sizes, including small, new, or growing organizations. Nonprofits without 501c3 status may be eligible to apply with a fiscal sponsor. -
Governmental and educational institutions
Eligible grant recipients include local units of government, tribal nations, public and private schools, universities, and colleges. -
Faith-based organizations
We welcome requests from churches and faith-based organizations for programs supporting the broader community. Applications will not be accepted to advance a specific religious doctrine or for programs that require an individual to observe a specific faith. Programs must abstain from proselytizing, religious worship, instruction, or recruitment as a requirement of the program. -
Fiscal sponsorship
Organizations that do not have 501c3 status may apply through a fiscal sponsor for projects or programs that advance our areas of interest. Fiscal sponsors must meet the grantmaking eligibility requirements. Organizations that act as a fiscal sponsor for other projects not directly associated with the organization’s programs may submit multiple proposals per cycle: one for their sponsored program and one for their internal program. Contact Foundation staff before proceeding with a fiscal sponsor application.
How and When to Apply
Application deadlines differ by program. Community and Youth Grants open twice per year, once in the fall and once in the spring. Other opportunities are available year-round or follow an annual schedule. Please check the individual grant descriptions for details on how and when to apply.
Application Review and Decision Process
Grant applications are reviewed by committees or advisory groups appropriate to each program. These groups make recommendations to the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors, which approves all final funding decisions. Each grant program has its own review criteria and timeline, but all reviews are guided by a process designed to be fair and equitable.
Tips for a Strong Application
A clear and compelling application helps our reviewers understand your vision and the impact you hope to make. As you prepare your proposal, keep these tips in mind:
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Be clear and concise. Write your narrative in a way that’s easy to follow and free of jargon. Focus on clarity over length.
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Explain the “what,” “why,” and “how.” Clearly describe what your program or project aims to accomplish, why it matters, and how it will benefit our community.
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Demonstrate your plan. Help reviewers understand how you’ll achieve the outcomes you propose; lay out the steps, methods, and key activities.
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Include evaluation methods. Be explicit about how you will measure success. What will you track, and how will you know your work is making an impact?
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Describe your budget and funding. Make sure your budget reflects your priorities. Explain how the project might adjust if funding levels change, and be sure to highlight any other sources of support.
Trust-Based Grantmaking Practices
We’re committed to building more transparent, responsive, and equitable relationships with our grant partners. Inspired by the principles of trust-based philanthropy, we’re taking practical steps to simplify the grant application process, reduce unnecessary burdens, and stay closely connected to community needs. This includes offering one-on-one support to applicants, streamlining paperwork and grant reporting, welcoming returning applicants, and, in some strategic initiatives, providing multi-year funding. This is ongoing work, and we value honest dialogue and feedback from our grant partners as we continue learning and improving together.
Community and Youth Grants
Through our Community and Youth Grantmaking cycles, we support projects that improve the quality of life in Emmet County. Applications are accepted twice a year—in the spring and fall—and funding is available for a wide range of local needs. Recently, we have awarded more than $300,000 in total grant funding per cycle, with individual awards averaging around $7,800. Grants are supported by our Unrestricted and Field of Interest Funds, with support from our Donor Advised Funds. Requests of all sizes are welcome, and our staff is available to help applicants determine a request size that aligns with current resources.
The Fall 2025 Cycle Is Now Closed.
- Inquiry Deadline: September 24, 2025
- Application Deadline: October 1, 2025
- Grant Decisions Announced: End of November
- Inquire: [email protected]
Inquiries for the Spring 2026 Cycle will open in late January.
Other Grant Opportunities
Emergency Response Fund Grants
Through our Emergency Response Fund, we provide rapid funding to support nonprofit and government organizations responding to disasters and emergencies affecting Emmet County. Initially established in response to the Spring 2025 ice storm, the fund remains available for future emergencies and may also support operational needs for organizations directly impacted by such events. Eligible uses include direct relief efforts, housing and utility support, clean-up and recovery, and maintaining essential nonprofit services.
- Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
- Grant Decisions Announced: Within 2-4 weeks of application
- Inquire: [email protected]
Little Traverse Bay Protection and Restoration Fund Grants
Through our Little Traverse Bay Protection and Restoration Fund, we support projects that preserve and improve the health of Little Traverse Bay and its surrounding watershed. Grants are awarded annually to organizations that address specific objectives in our region’s Little Traverse Bay Watershed Management Plan, which is updated and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency every ten years. Most grants range from $10,000 to $30,000, with up to $128,000 available in the 2025 cycle. Interested applicants must inquire before applying, and funded projects must be completed within 20 months.
The 2026 application period has not yet opened.
- Inquiry Period: To begin mid-December
- Application Deadline: February 2, 2026
- Grant Decisions Announced: End of March
- Inquire: [email protected]
Discretionary Grants
Through our Discretionary Fund Grants, we provide small-scale, rapid-response funding for urgent or time-sensitive needs in Emmet County. Applications are accepted year-round, and awards are limited to $1,500 or less. A total of $15,000 is available annually. Eligible applicants must have applied for a Community Foundation grant in the past five years. Organizations may only receive one Discretionary Grant per calendar year.
- Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
- Grant Decisions Announced: Within 2-4 weeks of application
- Inquire: [email protected]
Emmet Housing Solutions Fund Grants
Through the Emmet Housing Solutions Fund, we support efforts to address the housing shortage in Emmet County by helping cover early development costs that often prevent new homes from being built. Grants and loans are available to nonprofit organizations and local governments actively working on housing solutions, with a focus on land acquisition, pre-development, and infrastructure. Loans may be considered for businesses or for-profit entities, but must primarily accomplish the objectives of the fund. Since its launch in 2019 with support from the Frey Foundation, the fund has supported projects led by Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity, Northern Homes CDC, and helped make possible the land purchase for the upcoming Lofts at Lumber Square. The fund also seeks to leverage additional resources by partnering with other organizations to overcome key barriers like rising costs, zoning challenges, and limited local capacity.
- Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
- Grant Decisions Announced: Within 6-8 weeks of application
- Inquire: [email protected]
Environmental Education Grants
Through our Environmental Education Fund, we support nature-based learning experiences for K–12 students in Emmet County. Grants of up to $500 are available on a rolling basis during the school year to schools and nonprofit organizations providing environmental education. Funding may be used for field trip transportation, nature-focused learning equipment, or specialized training for educators and nonprofit staff. Activities must take place during the current school year and emphasize ecological learning. Since 2009, this fund has helped nearly 5,000 local students explore and learn from the natural world around them.
- Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
- Grant Decisions Announced: Within 2-4 weeks of application
- Inquire: [email protected]
Sturgeon River Pottery Fund for Education in the Visual Arts
Through the Sturgeon River Pottery Fund for Education in the Visual Arts, we support K–12 art teachers with funding to purchase visual art supplies that inspire creativity in the classroom. Established in 1999 by Steve and Karen Andrews in celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary, the fund honors both their shared love of the arts and the community that has supported Sturgeon River Pottery. K–12 art teachers in schools located in Emmet County or Wolverine, Michigan, are eligible to apply for grants of up to $250. Supplies must be used for visual art projects during the current school year, and requests must be submitted in advance of the activity. To date, more than $25,000 has been awarded to support artistic expression among local youth.
The 2025 application period is now closed.
- Application Period: Closed
- Application Deadline: October 10, 2025
- Grant Decisions Announced: End of October
- Inquire: [email protected]
Questions?
If you have any questions about our grant criteria or how to apply for funding, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is happy to provide guidance and support to ensure you have the information you need to submit a strong application.
email [email protected]