Grants Archive

Expand staffing to promote folk and roots music in our area
Amount granted: $15,000
Blissfest Music Organization's mission is to preserve traditions and promote innovators of American and world music, arts, and sustainable living through performance, education, and community participation. Blissfest achieves its mission through an annual folk & roots music festival with a 40-year history, concerts, a seasonal campground, workshops, family dances, live music at area farmers' markets and events, an internet radio station, and more. Blissfest seeks to establish a new Marketing and Communications position to further support its mission. Pre-pandemic, Blissfest’s generated approximately 90% of its income from one source: the festival. To diversify income, Blissfest has opened a seasonal campground, has made a concerted effort to apply for available grant funds, and now looks to develop an annual fundraising plan, and the Marketing and Communications position is an important part of all of these activities. A grant to this project will help establish this new position. 

Enjoy an evening of classical music, dance and storytelling inspired by the Great Lakes
Amount granted: $12,000
In April 2023 the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, in collaboration with members of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, will present its spring concert, “Terra Nostra.” This concert will touch on the beauty and importance of the Great Lakes,and will feature three pieces. First, "The Great Lakes Cantata" (G. Walker) will take the listener on a musical journey across the magnificent five Great Lakes, stopping to explore the unique character of each lake en route. Second, "Terra Nostra" (C. Changard), a 30-minute multimedia symphony, is an evocative combination of orchestral music, poetry, and film, intended to invite broad discourse in diverse audiences in ways science alone may not. Finally, "Spirit Chief Names of Animal People" (J. Tate, a Chickasaw classical composer and 2011 Emmy award winner), is performed with dance and live storytelling to guide the audience. A grant to this project will help cover concert production costs.

Offer distinctive choral music to enrich cultural life in northern Michigan
Amount granted: $5,000
For more than 30 years, the Little Traverse Choral Society (LTCS) has brought amateur singers together to enjoy both singing distinctive choral music and the camaraderie of rehearsing together.  After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, LTCS began live performances again in December 2021. The organization’s goals for the 2022-23 season are to continue to rebuild the numbers of singers and audience members who benefit from LTCS programs.  Before the pandemic, LTCS regularly attracted 60-80 singers for each of its concerts and audiences of 300 or more. A grant to this project will help LTCS perform concerts in December 2022 and May 2023.

Produce a quarterly concert series that celebrates local musicians
Amount granted: $5,000
Zion Lutheran Church believes people gathering purely for the appreciation of local music is a rare occurrence. Local musicians often play in bars or restaurants where the audience is only partially engaged, if at all. That’s why, before the pandemic, the church began organizing a quarterly “For the Love of Music” concert series to spotlight local musicians. These concerts are free, open to the public, and secular—the church does not promote its religious doctrine. Additionally, all musicians are paid for their time. Each concert features several diverse acts, followed by a reception afterwards. A grant to this project will underwrite a portion of “For the Love of Music” concert production costs, such as sound engineering and musician fees.

Enhance security at Harbor Light Christian School
Amount granted: $6,500
Harbor Light Christian School (HLCS) is a Pre-K to 12th grade school with 207 students enrolled this year. Considering the nationwide school violence incidents over the last few years, the HLCS Board of Education voted to increase security for the school and has identified four main projects. One area they hope to increase security is by keeping threats outside classrooms, and reducing likelihood of a security breach resulting in a perpetrator gaining access to individual classrooms. A grant to this project would allow Harbor Light Christian School to install NIGHTLOCK® LOCKDOWN 1 barricades at all interior classroom doors, office doors, and common area doors such as the library.

Empower youth of Emmet County through entrepreneurship
Amount granted: $5,000
Junior Achievement (JA) inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. In the 2022-23 school year, JA plans to partner with Emmet County high schools to conduct entrepreneurial programs. The programs will give students in grades 9-12 the opportunity to explore career paths, business plans, budget management, entrepreneurship skills and more. A 2022 report by Next Gen Personal Finance highlights the need for these opportunities, reporting only 25% of students will have access to a financial literacy course in the upcoming academic year. JA wants to create more educational opportunities for students in this area of need, and have a strong history with northwest Michigan in doing so. The funds received from this grant will support staff time and materials to ensure the successful implementation of these programs in Emmet County.

Support students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional and mental health
Amount granted: $6,500
The Public Schools of Petoskey (PSP) seeks to continue to develop and expand K-12 Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) for all K-12 students through the lens of our district's Full Value Agreement (FVA).  PBIS is an evidence-based, tiered framework for supporting all students' behavioral, academic, social, emotional and mental health. Through the lens of the FVA it models and reinforces all students to "Work as a Team," to "Be Safe" and "Speak Up." Research shows that when consistently implemented, positive, predictable, and safe learning environments developed through PBIS initiatives promote access to learning environments where academic success increases and where students and staff report healthier outcomes. The goal of this project is to focus on the promotion, reinforcement and collaboration K-12 to support the successful implementation of PBIS at Petoskey Schools which will also positively impact our community at large. A grant to this project will allow Petoskey Schools to purchase incentive awards to reinforce positive behavior, and create a promotional video to engage students.

Increase access to affordable solar energy in the Little Traverse Bay area
Amount granted: $10,000
Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is committed to increasing access to affordable solar energy in the Little Traverse Bay area. Through its ‘Access MI Solar’ program, Groundwork has already helped more than a dozen local households purchase and install solar panels at a discounted group rate. Groundwork now seeks to recruit an additional 20 households and businesses to participate in another solar group purchase and installation. Groundwork will select a solar installer and broker a group discount, host educational webinars and a recruitment event, and launch targeted social media ads and emails to encourage broad participation. The ‘Access MI Solar’ program is vital to ensuring Petoskey achieves its ambitious target of 100% clean energy by 2035. A grant to this project will help cover program costs.

Use modern technology to find beloved pets when they go missing
Amount granted: $11,800
The ultimate goal at Little Traverse Bay Humane Society (LTBHS)  is to save animals’ lives. Often this is done by removing animals from unfortunate or dangerous circumstances, or by transporting them from another shelter where they are at-risk of euthanasia. To further save lives, the Humane Society would like to better address when animals go missing, be they household pets or residents at the Humane Society’s shelter. LTBHS has been taking in more difficult-to-adopt dogs, such as those who are shy or fearful, which are at the highest risk of running and becoming lost. LTBHS also occasionally experiences times when dogs staying with foster families get lost. The organization would like to purchase a thermal imaging drone to help find lost animals, as well as 40 GPS tracking collars to be placed on LTBHS animals residing in foster homes. A grant to this project will help purchase this equipment.

Support the health and wellness of middle school students
Amount granted: $2,750
Harbor Springs Middle School (HSMS) Wellness Club, supervised by Ram Wellness Program staff, aims to support the physical and mental health needs of Harbor Springs Middle School students. HSMS Wellness Club, formerly known as the Kindness Initiative Team (Kit Kat Club), will continue to promote acts of kindness in HSMS this year, while expanding their scope to address additional wellness topics of community concern, allowing flexibility and responsiveness in the focus of programming to address evolving student mental and physical health needs. Wellness Club members will learn public health principles and build leadership skills by identifying health concerns among their peers and developing two interventions to address priority needs. Adolescent wellbeing is of major concern in the wake of COVID-19, and Harbor Springs youth are best positioned to drive health promotion efforts in their school community. A grant to this project will allow HSMS Wellness Club to purchase supplies to support the design and implementation of two wellness promotion activities during the second half of the 2022-2023 school year.

Offer inclusive sexual health education to LGBTQ+ teens
Amount granted: $8,000
Planned Parenthood of Michigan provides high quality health care and sexual health education to teens and adults. LGBTQ+ youth in rural areas such as Emmet County face different kinds of barriers, obstacles and exclusion than their urban-based peers. According to The Trevor Project’s National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, “nearly half of LGBTQ+ youth in rural areas and small towns stated that their community was somewhat or very unaccepting of LGBTQ+ people” (2021). Amongst the 34,000 LGBTQ+ youth surveyed, 73% of them report experiencing symptoms of anxiety, and 58% report experiencing symptoms of depression. Planned Parenthood’s IN*clued is one of the only evidence-informed sexual health education programs designed specifically to meet the needs of LGBTQ youth ages 14-19. This matters because LGBTQ+ youth experience higher teen pregnancy and STI rates than their heterosexual and cisgender peers. A grant to this project will allow Planned Parenthood to implement IN*clued in Emmet County with its two-pronged approach: a workshop to empower LGBTQ youth with sexual and health knowledge, skills, and the tools to advocate for their sexual health; and a workshop for  health care providers to better provide LGBTQ-inclusive sexual health care.

Raise awareness and advocate for youth mentoring in Emmet County
Amount granted: $7,500
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan (BBBS) creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Currently BBBS operates with one staff person in Emmet County who is responsible for monitoring and supporting nearly 70 matches. BBBS aims to expand its capacity to help raise awareness about the organization and advocate for youth. This individual would be responsible for maintaining a consistent presence in the area to help develop, cultivate and steward relationships with community and business organizations and leaders, including schools and individuals.  This position will engage and steward potential mentors and supporters while providing excellent customer service. Funding from the Community Foundation would partially fund a new position for an Advocacy Specialist who will operate out of BBBS’ Petoskey office.

Upgrade technology to be current with standards and security
Amount granted: $4,000
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 of individuals living with physical disabilities and mental health needs. NMET is seeking to upgrade technology and systems to be up to date with current standards and security. By streamlining all systems onto one computer that supports all online programming for communication, marketing, accounting, and a donor management system will allow more efficient communication with donors, clients, volunteers, foundations, and the community overall. NMET's current laptop is outdated and causes inefficiencies. Updating QuickBooks will allow for improved accounting standards. By adding the most recent version of various software programs and maintaining its donor management system, NMET will have more reach and the ability to market and communicate more effectively. A grant to this project will allow NMET to purchase an upgraded laptop and software systems.

Construct affordable housing in Alanson
Amount granted: $15,000
In recent years, Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity has focused on increasing its capacity to meet the crisis-level demand for affordable housing in our area. In the past two years alone, even in the midst of a pandemic, Habitat constructed seven new homes and rehabilitated one home that was previously uninhabitable. In total, these eight homes resulted in the retention of 13 hard-working professionals and brighter futures for 16 children. Habitat currently has two more homes close to completion, and 12 more in various stages of construction. A grant to this project will help cover installation of an HVAC system in a home under construction in the Lantern Walk Development in Alanson.

Improve housing safety for low-income seniors in Harbor Springs
Amount granted: $12,200
Presbyterian Villages of Michigan operates The Village of Hillside in downtown Harbor Springs. This apartment complex provides safe, senior-friendly living at an affordable price to low-income seniors. The Village of Hillside currently has 49 residents. Staff would like to upgrade certain amenities to improve safety for Hillside’s residents, including the addition of multisensory fire alarms and air conditioning units. Multisensory fire alarms will help residents with hearing loss see flashing lights from fire alarms so they can evacuate as quickly as possible. Air conditioners will help residents breathe easier and feel more comfortable during hot and humid weather. The Village of Hillside would also like to establish a modest Emergency Fund for residents to access when faced with financial emergencies. A grant to this project will help cover equipment upgrades and emergency funding.

Provide hot meals for vulnerable individuals and families in our area
Amount granted: $15,000
The Salvation Army offers a variety of services to the most vulnerable individuals and families in our area, including offering hot meals in a variety of ways. Salvation Army delivers meals once a week to local seniors, homebound and mobility impaired individuals. It also offers carry-out meals twice per week for those who are able to pick them up; the majority of which are low-income workers, homeless and those living in transitional and sobriety housing. Lastly, Salvation Army organizes a community dinner every Friday night. Prior to the pandemic, that weekly dinner served around 70 people. That number has since doubled. A grant to this project will help cover various food costs.

Purchase new equipment to upgrade campout experience for summer campers
Amount granted: $4,600
Camp Daggett provides quality character building experiences through educational and recreational programs in a safe, fun environment. Every camper who comes to Camp Daggett goes on an overnight campout during their week long stay. The current equipment being used is quite worn and needs to be updated.  Improved and updated equipment will create better first-time campout experiences for young campers. Better equipped campouts will encourage campers to continue camping, try longer trips and build a lifelong appreciation of the outdoors; a noted support for positive mental health outcomes. The most critical need is for tents that are easier to use and provide protection from the elements. A grant to this project would make it possible to purchase new equipment for youth campouts.

Update youth football shoulder pads to improve safety
Amount granted: $8,000
Pop Warner enables young people to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment. Pellston Pop Warner includes youth from Pellston, Alanson, and Mackinaw City school districts.  It was established in 1997 and has offered youth football and cheer to area youth aged 8-13 years old. The program has a need to update its shoulder pad inventory. Shoulder pads are not a one size fits all item and have a sizing that changes every inch. Because no two players have the same size body/bone structure, and young children are constantly growing, a fully stocked invetory in many sizes is necessary. Safety is a top priority, and the program can never risk the safety of anyone by placing them in equipment that may not be safe or protect them as it should. A grant to this project will allow Pellston Pop Warner to purchase updated, required shoulder pads to ensure a safe youth football experience.

Support a strategic planning process for our recreational trails
Amount granted: $5,000
Top of Michigan Trails Council (TOMTC) seeks funding to undertake a comprehensive strategic planning process. Founded in the early 1990s to bring together decades of separate conversations on creating trails in Emmet County, including completing its signature trail the Little Traverse Wheelway, today TOMTC stewards a 325-mile, eight-county network. Its current strategic plan covered 2018-2021. An Executive Director transition in 2020, the Wheelway washout in 2020, and the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21 all significantly impacted that plan. During the pandemic trail use increased 50% nationwide, demonstrating the importance of TOMTC’s work to create and maintain trails as a community amenity. As TOMTC faces a challenging economic environment for construction, multiple ongoing trail projects, and a multi-million dollar fix needed on the Little Traverse Wheelway, now is the time for TOMTC to undertake comprehensive strategic planning. A grant to this project will help cover planning costs.