Community Foundation Opens Summer Grants Cycle to Support Community Needs

[Photo credit: Discover Center Great Lakes // Image description: Two young kids in pink sweatshirts standing behind a tall ship wheel and smiling.]

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation is currently accepting applications for grants available collectively through its Wilfred and Joan Larson Endowment and its community funds, a group of flexible, responsive assets that can support a variety of community needs and organizations across the five-county region.

“Our community funds can broadly support our region and can fund all types of organizations, from environmental nonprofits and arts and culture groups to Tribal organizations and educational institutions,” said Steve Wade, Vice President of Community Impact of the Community Foundation.

Eligible 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, organizations with a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor, educational institutions, governmental entities, and Tribal nations and organizations across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties are invited to apply. Organizations are encouraged to submit a grant application for the amount they need, with grant awards typically ranging from $20,000 to $30,000. Previous grant partners can reapply for a community funds grant.

Consideration is given for grant awards that can have a larger impact for the grant partner; provide a significant community benefit; and/or can leverage other funding sources. Grant requests that are informed by data on the Community Development Regional Scorecard and/or address a community issue that appears on the Scorecard are prioritized in the grant review process.

In 2022, the Community Foundation awarded a total of $111,000 from its community funds and Larson Endowment to support Discovery Center Great Lakes, Housing North, Northern Blooms Montessori Family Center, Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project, Land Information Access Association, Generations Ahead, and Traverse Symphony Orchestra.