GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY — The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation has awarded $301,743 in grants to 18 organizations across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau Counties and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
Nearly 40% of the Foundation’s Community Funds grants this year support housing-related efforts and solutions. Close to 30% of the grants benefit youth and, either directly or indirectly, mental health and well-being.
In addition, a commitment to equity was a through line in all of the Community Foundation’s grant decisions; four Community Funds grant partners are either diversely-led or directly engaging and supporting communities typically underserved and under-resourced, such as people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ community members, and members of the Tribe.
“These grant awards come from our Community Funds, which broadly support a variety of issues and opportunities across the region, including funding all types of organizations, from environmental groups to arts and culture nonprofits,” Vice President of Community Impact Steve Wade said. “Our Community Funds allow us to meet some of the biggest needs in our region.”
The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation stewards community assets for lasting impact by investing in the people and places of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties as well as the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, a federally recognized tribe.
“While much training for our YouthWork crews occurs in the field, having a heated classroom with access to tools and several computer stations will be transformative. We are so excited to create such a space, the YouthWork Learning Hub, with help from the Community Foundation’s Community Funds grant,” said Gina Aranki, Executive Director of Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan. “The YouthWork Learning Hub will serve members well into the future, increasing their skills, providing certifications of value, and increasing the earning potential of these often-marginalized young people.”
Craig Hadley, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College, said the grant is crucial to support for accessibility.
“Thanks to a recent grant award from the Community Foundation, the Dennos Museum Center will continue to enhance accessibility for all visitors to the museum and the Milliken Auditorium,” Hadley said. “Critical accessibility upgrades including a new hearing loop receiver for hearing aid users and two new wheelchairs will build upon our recent accessibility successes with IBCCES autism certification.”
Yarrow Brown, Executive Director of Housing North, said grant funding will assist with housing support for many low-income residents.
“The Community Funds grant from the Community Foundation will allow us to expand our Housing Ready program to Antrim and Kalkaska Counties and continue to provide the essential technical support for housing initiatives in these communities,” Brown said. “We hope the impact will not only help the communities meet their housing needs, but result in new housing units, fostering enhanced collaboration and partnerships and support for housing in the five counties served by the Community Foundation.”
Cash Cook, Executive Director and Gayenell Gentelia, Associate Director of the Kalkaska Downtown Development Authority, said the grant helps close the funding gap for our US-131 North Country Trail Trailhead and Boardman River Boardwalk.
“We thank the Community Foundation for awarding the Kalkaska Downtown Development Authority a Community Funds Grant. This grant helps close the funding gap for our US-131 North Country Trail Trailhead and Boardman River Boardwalk,” Cook said. “Without organizations like the Community Foundation, small rural communities like Kalkaska would be unable to complete transformational projects like this trailhead.”
Lesley Tye, Co-Founder and Board Director of Mashup Rock & Roll Musical, said the funding will assist in the creation of a brand-new venue.
“This Community Funds grant will help us pilot a new small theatre venue in Grand Traverse County with the hope of it becoming an affordable and valuable resource for multiple arts organizations and patrons within the community,” Tye said. “Since we began producing theatre in 2013, we have collaborated with and been supported by other arts organizations in our community, and we see this as a chance to foster that type of support for others into the future.”
Jill Sill, Executive Director of Norte Youth Cycling, said the grant will allow for the organization to equip more people with cycling skills.
“The Community Foundation’s generous grant to Norte Youth Cycling will have a transformative impact on the children in our region. This gift will enable us to develop and pilot a second-grade Ride SMART Bicycle Safety Education Program,” Sill said. “This program will equip local children with essential bicycle safety skills, confidence, and community connections.”
Established in 1992, the Community Foundation is striving for healthy, resilient, thriving communities for across the region and supports this vision by serving donor partners, awarding meaningful grants and scholarships, and participating in collaborative leadership efforts on important community issues.
The Foundation welcomes both one-time and monthly gifts of any size to its community funds here.
For more information about the Community Foundation’s recent grant awards, click here.
