News & Stories

Over $900K Awarded through Larson Endowment

Man standing outdoors between two food carts filled with boxes of produce and supplies, near a building labeled Samaritan’s Closet.

[Photo credit: Leelanau Christian Neighbors| Image description: A man smiles while standing between two loaded carts of food boxes outside a building labeled “Samaritan’s Closet.”

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation has awarded a total of $901,3128 to organizations across the region through the Wilfred and Joan Larson Endowment. These grant awards include $110,000 to local schools to support student scholarships.

Twenty-four nonprofit and public school partners across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties received grant awards, including: 5Loaves2Fish Northern MI, Benzie Central Schools, Buckley Community Schools, Elk Rapids Senior High School, Fishtown Preservation Society, Forest Area Community Schools, Frankfort Elberta Area Schools, the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, Inland Seas Education Association, Kalkaska High School, Kingsley Area Schools, Leelanau Children’s Center, Leelanau Christian Neighbors, Leelanau Community Cultural Center, Leelanau Conservancy, Leland Public School, Mancelona Public Schools, North Manitou Light Keepers, Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse, Suttons Bay Public Schools, Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center, and Women's Resource Center for the Grand Traverse Area.

“The impact we can make on our region through the Larson Endowment is tremendous,” said Steve Wade, Vice President of Community Impact at the Community Foundation. “Through the Endowment, we’re supporting students, young people, individuals, and families across the region in partnership with our grant partners who deliver important programs, services, and student success supports.”

Since 2015, the Community Foundation has awarded $3.7 million in grants from the Larson Endowment, a donor advised fund. The Endowment was made possible thanks to the largest cumulative gift in the Foundation’s history—a total of $15 million—from Wilfred and Joan Larson. Working alongside the Endowment’s advisor, the Foundation’s Community Impact staff ensure that grantmaking is aligned with the Larson’s philanthropic interests to support community needs and opportunities across the region, especially in the areas of youth, arts and culture, the environment, health and human services, and increasing access to post-secondary education.

Included in the Larson Endowment grant total is support of the Community Foundation’s Community Funds grant cycle. The Community Funds pre-application process will open on May 15. For more information about grant opportunities, visit the Community Foundation's website: https://www.gtrcf.org/grants/apply.