Grant Opportunities
Meaningful Granting. Lasting Impact.
Since 1992, we’ve awarded more than $70 million in grants and scholarships to support the people and places of our region.
We seek opportunities to support grant partners by funding a variety of community-based projects.
Our grants, unless otherwise stated, are open to organizations across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties as well as the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, including:
- 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
- Organizations with a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor
- Educational institutions
- Governmental entities
- Tribal organizations
Our Grantmaking Process
- Our grantmaking process begins with our grant application. Grant application questions vary slightly based on each available grant opportunity.
- Starting in 2024, we are participating in Demographics via Candid, which will include a series of optional demographic questions on each grant application in the Additional Organization Info section. If a prospective grant partner has already claimed and updated the demographic section of their Candid profile, then that information will transfer automatically to your Community Foundation grant application. Learn more about Demographics via Candid.
- After submitting a grant application, prospective grant partners are notified about the status of their application following our grant review process.
- Our grant review process includes committees composed of community representatives and/or Community Foundation staff and board directors. Committee members review and discuss each grant applications, using each grant fund's criteria to inform their decisions. All grants are approved by our Board of Directors prior to being awarded.
- A post-grant report is due within a year of being awarded a grant. This report is used to understand the outcome of your project and allows us to share the successes of your project with our supporters, community partners, and the general public.
How Grant Decisions Are Made
Grant decisions are made by a committee that may include: Community Foundation staff, Community Foundation board directors, community members, and/or donor partners. In evaluating grant applications, grant review committees give consideration to the following:
- Grant application outcomes match the purpose of the grant/fund.
- The potential impact of the project on the community.
- Opportunity for collaboration with other nonprofit or community partners.
- Probability that the project can be implemented and sustained.
- Incorporating equity and inclusion, such as reducing or eliminating barriers, in the community.
- Other funding sources that are being leveraged.
​Additional consideration is given to grant applications that advance one or more shared priorities on the Community Development Coalition Regional Scorecard.
Year-Round Grant Opportunities
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Grants
Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion grants (with funding from our Diversity Equity Inclusion Fund and Endowment for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) are dedicated to fostering equity and inclusion across the region, including primarily providing support for organizations led by or serving Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, immigrant, neurodiverse, and/or disability community members. We also consider other partners, programs, trainings, and opportunities promoting equity and inclusion.
- Grant awards available: $2,500 per organization per year
- Applications open: Year-round
- Applications due: February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1
- When grants are awarded: March 15, May 31, August 31, December 15
- Quick Response Grants
Quick Response grants offer a rapid, flexible response to community needs. These grants are meant to support unexpected or unforeseeable smaller dollar needs that fall outside of your organization’s regular budget. Requests that are time sensitive will be prioritized. We will also prioritize requests where the total need is not more than $10,000.
- Grant awards available: A total of $60,000 is available in 2025. Organizations may apply for up to $2,500 per request.
- Applications open/due: Year-round
- When grants are awarded: The 15th of each month
- Traverse Area Public Schools Grants
We offer two competitive grant opportunities specifically for Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) through our TCAPS Academic Excellence Endowment and the Titan Excellence Fund Endowment. Only one application needs to be completed for both available TCAPS opportunities.
- Grant awards available: For 2025, $7,228 from the TCAPS Academic Excellence Endowment and $1,950 from the Titan Excellence Fund Endowment
- Applications open: Year-round
- Applications close: November 1
- When grants are awarded: December
Summer Grant Opportunities
- Community Funds Grants
Community Funds grants can support needs and opportunities that our other funds cannot as they provide broad support for our region and can fund all types of organizations. We welcome applications from grant partners who are ready to accept significant and strategic investments to support their missions.
- Grant awards available: For 2025, we have $335,108 available for grants.
- Pre-applications open: May 15
- Pre-applications due: June 6
- Full application opens: June 23
- Full applications due: July 14
- When grants are awarded: September 30
- Youth Endowment Grants
Our Youth Endowment supports youth causes and organizations across our region, with grant decisions made by our county-based Youth Advisory Councils.
- Grant awards available: For 2024, we have $105,000 or $21,000 per county. Applicants may request funding from one or more counties for up to $5,000 per county.
- Applications open: August 1
- Applications due: September 15
- When grants are awarded: December
Fall Grant Opportunities
- Fall Grants
Our fall grants provide funding to support a range of programs and services, including those that focus on education, the environment, youth, seniors, health and human services, and more. This year, we will award fall grants through 19 different endowments that we steward.
- Grant awards available: Amount varies based on specific endowment from which applicants are eligible to receive funding.
- Applications open: August 15
- Applications due: October 1
- When grants are awarded: December
- Traverse City Track Club Endowment Grants
The Traverse City Track Club Endowment supports projects and programs that align with the Track Club's mission: The Traverse City Track Club promotes and encourages health, fitness, fellowship, community service, family recreation and competition via running and walking. We welcome all ages and abilities. Grants from the TC Track Club are funded through both the TC Track Club Endowment as well as direct charitable gifts to the TC Track Club.
- Grant awards available: Previous grant partners were awarded between $500-$50,000.
- Applications open: August 15
- Applications due: October 1
- When grants are awarded: December
Questions? Contact Us!
Please reach out to us at grants@gtrcf.org or (231) 935-4066.