Each year, the Harbor Springs Festival of the Book brings readers and writers together to celebrate books, reading, and literary arts by creating connections between readers of all ages with inspiring authors and illustrators. Making those experiences accessible to people of all ages and abilities is an important part of creating a welcoming experience.

With support from the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, the Festival made this year's festival even more accessible. A $5,000 grant from the Julie and Murray Cotter Family Fund helped purchase ADA-compliant matting for the outdoor venues. The new pathways make it easier and safer for attendees to navigate grassy areas, particularly those who use wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids.

Festival organizers reported enthusiastic feedback from attendees, including one who shared, “The addition of mats on the grass in the Marina Tent this year made access much safer and better.” Another simply said, “The plastic mats were a big improvement.”

And because the matting can be used year after year, the investment will continue to improve accessibility at future festivals.

The Cotter Family Fund grant was awarded through the Community Foundation's competitive grant cycle. Twice per year, area nonprofits request funding for important projects taking place across Emmet County. Requests increasingly exceed the flexible grantmaking dollars available, and donor advised fund holders play an important role in helping close that gap. The Festival of the Book is one example of that partnership in action.

In addition to the Cotter Family Fund grant, other donor advised funds at the Community Foundation have supported the Festival. Together, these gifts help strengthen an event that has become an important part of our region's cultural life.