News & Stories
Over $300,000 Awarded to 14 Organizations
Photo credit: Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region
Image description: Five people—two adults and three children—stand in front of a light green building, with the adults and two children wearing matching bright green t-shirts and the youngest is in a black Adidas shirt.
The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation has awarded $334,700 in Community Funds grants to 14 organizations across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
Community Funds grants offer flexible support for local organizations working in the areas of greatest need. The Community Foundation awarded grants this cycle to: Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan, Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan, Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing, Father Fred Foundation, ROCK of Kingsley Youth Center, Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center, Frankfort Community Land Trust, Grass River Natural Area, Michael’s Place, Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region, Women’s Resource Center for the Grand Traverse Area, Microcenter Child Care Network, Acme Christian Thrift Store and Food Pantry, and Grand Traverse Industries.
“Community Funds reflect our commitment to supporting organizations and causes that strengthen our region,” said Steve Wade, Vice President of Community Impact for the Community Foundation. “By filling gaps that other funds cannot, Community Funds help ensure the region’s most pressing challenges are met with timely, inclusive solutions.”
This year’s Community Funds grant awards are strategically aligned with areas where support is most needed across the region:
- 54% of grants support housing-related efforts and solutions.
- 31% of grants benefit youth and mental health and well-being.
- Four grants support an organization that is either diversely-led or directly engages and supports underfunded communities.
- Six grants support organizations facing challenges due to federal funding cuts, impacting their ability to serve the community or resulting in increased demand for their services.
“We received an astounding 111 Community Funds grant requests,” said Mercedes Bowyer, Donor Engagement Director for the Community Foundation. “This shows that our region needs these flexible funding resources and that we can do more together by continuing to grow these important funds.”
To learn more about the Community Foundation’s recent grant awards, please visit the Foundation’s website: www.gtrcf.org/grants/grant-awards. The Foundation welcomes both one-time and monthly gifts of any size to its Community Funds at: www.gtrcf.org/give.