
Dec
Twice per year, the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation awards grant funds to support a wide variety of nonprofit organizations, programs, and projects throughout Emmet County. These grants improve lives throughout Emmet County by making it possible for local nonprofits and eligible organizations to carry out important work across diverse sectors.
This season, the Community Foundation has awarded $369,455 in grant dollars to 50 qualifying organizations, including nonprofits, educational institutions, and municipalities that serve the people of Emmet County. Funds from this fall’s grant cycle address a broad spectrum of needs, including expanded educational resources for area schools, afterschool programs for youth, fire truck upgrades in Springvale Township, biking and hiking trail improvements, hospice support, facility upgrades for arts organizations, and so much more.
Community Grants are reviewed by the Community Foundation’s Grant Distribution Committee, comprised of eight individuals from across the community.
"The Community Foundation plays a pivotal role in connecting donor contributions to impactful projects and initiatives within our region,” said Grant Distribution Committee Member Carla Crockett of Petoskey. “It has been a privilege serving on the Grant Distribution Committee, where we collaborate to ensure responsible stewardship and make a meaningful difference in our community."
Area youth are also involved in the Community Foundation’s grantmaking. The Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee, commonly referred to as YAC, is a group of 27 students (grades 8 through 12) from across Emmet County. This committee reviews grant proposals that directly impact Emmet County youth and families.
YAC member and board member Norah Riley said, “Philanthropy has the ability to unite us under a common cause—the cause of striving to improve our community for the people who call it home. YAC has allowed me to support the change I want to see and build a better future in my community.”
Funding for Community Foundation grants is possible thanks to the strength of our endowments and the generosity of donors. Two major endowment funds—the Fund for the Community and the Fund for Youth—form the base support for the grant cycles. Additional funding comes from other Community Foundation fund sources, including field of interest funds that address specific needs and donor advised funds created by individuals and families to support their charitable goals.
$6,500 to expand opportunities for students to study agriscience and horticulture.
$2,300 to supply books to enhance students' literacy and personal growth.
$7,500 to bring renowned author to discuss the interconnection between humans and nature.
$9,500 to enhance Spring Lake Park's role as a trailhead and recreation hub.
$1,700 to upgrade kitchen equipment to build essential cooking skills.
$5,000 to grow a rock'n'roll education program in Alanson, Pellston, and Petoskey.
$8,000 to update carpeting to create welcoming space for combat veterans.
$5,531 to provide important personal items for people in need.
$3,300 to improve safety and fun with recreational facility upgrades.
$5,000 to support children with cancer by enabling summer camp attendance.
$5,000 to strengthen youth service provider skills through essential education.
$5,000 to recruit and retain foster families in Emmet County.
$5,000 to brighten the holidays for low-income families with Christmas support.
$5,000 to make recovery accessible and fun.
$10,000 to upgrade theater lighting to safer, environmentally friendly LED system.
$6,250 to provide students with the gift of exemplary orchestral education.
$3,250 to bring orchestra to life for students through gaming.
$3,000 to promote healthy eating through family cooking nights.
$15,000 to update furnishings in essential therapeutic spaces.
$9,065 to establish artesian well exhibit at Ephraim Shay Innovation Museum.
$2,990 to enrich free STEM programming for teens and tweens.
$4,890 to expand pantry options beyond shelf-stable items for clients.
$7,500 to offer Gestures of Grace to families experiencing hospice.
$4,000 to honor the making of America: a choral music celebration.
$6,000 to help LTCT go on-the-road with an enclosed trailer.
$3,740 to upgrade trail use monitoring technology.
$11,950 to band owls to support conservation.
$15,000 to enhance the career and technical education facilities at North Central Michigan College.
$4,500 to diversify the North Central Michigan College library collections.
$4,849 to enhance Hope Hall with new durable flooring.
$3,516 to support young athletes by replacing worn-out gear.
$2,500 to strengthen equine therapy programs by replacing worn equipment.
$15,000 to serve over 400 students weekly with healthy food choices.
$15,000 to complete the Lantern Lane development in Alanson.
$14,025 to restore Temple Baseball Field into a community asset.
$2,149 to purchase a thermal imaging camera to reduce risks and improve safety.
$900 to strengthen basketball programs by investing in essential resources.
$10,000 to build capacity and transform the C.S. Lewis Festival for lasting impact.
$3,500 to provide nutritious meals to those experiencing mental illness.
$15,000 to expand private meeting space for library patrons.
$3,500 to increase access to lacrosse through financial support for families.
$12,000 to increase the availability of much-needed childcare for toddlers.
$15,000 to strengthen after-school programming with Fellowship Hall renovations.
$8,000 to equip adults with the knowledge to support youth sexual health.
$7,750 to supply materials to encourage early literacy in low-income households.
$7,000 to install the first accessible playground in the area.
$7,500 to enhance student well-being with a therapy dog at Petoskey Middle School.
$2,800 to deliver science, history, and arts learning to Emmet County classrooms.
$15,000 to resume congregate meals in new community space.
$15,000 to upgrade Springvale Township's fire truck.
$3,000 to build all-abilities bike skills park at popular trail.
Thank you to the following donor advised and field of interest funds for supporting this grant cycle:
- Ann K. Irish Charitable Fund
- Birchwood Outreach Fund
- Boeckman Family Fund
- Bund Family Fund
- Dan and Linda CasaSanta Family Fund
- Circuit Controls Corporation Charitable Fund
- Jack Michael Duff Memorial Fund
- Erickson Family Fund
- Everyone Matters Fund
- Fresh Baby Building Healthy Communities Fund
- Holder Family Foundation Fund
- Ted and Brenda Frey Donor Advised Fund
- Ledyard Family Charitable Fund
- Dr. H. Ross and Virginia G. Hume Charitable Fund
- Crawford Lee-Mills Fund
- Thomas D. Ogden Family Fund
- Mary Elliott Rapin Fund
- B.J. Shawn and Becky Kranig Fund
- Brian and Dawn Wagner Charitable Fund
- Marjorie A. Winnell Healing Center Fund for Complementary Medicine
- Deb Greenwald Foster Family Care and Support Fund
- Healthy Community Fund
- Jeff Kring Outdoor Youth Education Fund
- Northern Michigan Housing Fund
- Robert Horner Fund for Natural Resource Conservation
- Science for the Future Fund
- Schulze-Stern Fund for Young People
- Youth After School Fund
- United Way Health and Human Services Fund