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Community Foundation Grant Applications Now Open

[Photo credit: Child and Family Services of NWMI, one of our Focus Fund grant partneers; Image description: A mother holding her young daughter, both are smiling and holding up handmade signs.]

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation is accepting grant applications for funding offered through its Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) Fund, Focus Fund Endowment, and Marsha J. Smith Community Leadership Fund. The next deadline to apply is June 1 and each grant opportunity is open to nonprofit, educational, governmental, and Tribal organizations serving Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and/or Leelanau Counties.

“Our DEI Fund, Focus Fund Endowment, and Marsha J. Smith Community Leadership Fund provide a variety of funding opportunities to local organizations,” said Gina Thornbury, Program and Grants Manager at the Community Foundation. “Since the start of this year, we have awarded more than $32,000 total from these three funds alone.”

The DEI Fund aims to support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the region, including primarily providing support for organizations led by Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, immigrant, neurodiverse, and/or disability community members. Applications are also accepted for equity and inclusion programs, trainings, and initiatives, with grant awards up to $2,500.

The Focus Fund Endowment impacts emerging and ongoing community needs and interests in our region. Preference is given to grant requests that offer a philanthropic approach to community needs and have the potential for transformative community impact, with awards available up to $2,500.

The Marsha J. Smith Community Leadership Fund offers support to individuals from the five-county region to enhance their leadership skills and thereby improve the quality of life in our region today and for generations to come, with awards of up to $1,000 to support a leadership or learning opportunity such as Leadership Grand Traverse, Leadership Learning Lab, and more.

To apply for one or more grant opportunities, visit: https://www.gtrcf.org/grants/apply. Interested applicants can also contact the Community Foundation at 231-935-4066 or grants@gtrcf.org.