The
Midland Area Community Foundation recently approved seven grants, which include four grants allocated by the
Midland Area Youth Action Council. The total amount distributed in grants for the fourth quarter was $108,000.
The grantmaking efforts of the Midland Area Community Foundation are made possible through contributions from community members who support the charitable, cultural, educational, recreational, and scientific needs of the Midland area, in keeping with the Foundation’s mission.
“At the Midland Area Community Foundation, our grantmaking is rooted in the belief that we have a shared responsibility to create a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving community,” says Sharon Mortensen, President and CEO of the Midland Area Community Foundation.
“By supporting innovative projects and addressing pressing needs, we empower organizations to make a lasting impact. Grantmaking is one way we invest in the future of Midland County and demonstrate our commitment to ensuring every resident can flourish.”
Building a better Midland through collaboration
The grants for this quarter range from $5,000 to $60,000 and focus on four key areas of community improvement:
- Building livelihood
- Developing talent
- Caring for people
- Enriching the community
Several organizations will use these grants to expand programs, purchase needed supplies, and enhance services:
Children’s Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region
The center is working to expand its capacity for support groups and add individual grief therapy. Attendance in evening groups is rising, creating the need for additional meeting nights, and requests for daytime school groups are increasing. Funding from the $10,000 Youth Action Council grant will allow the center to add an extra evening of peer support and expand to 10 more schools.
“Through peer support programming, grieving children in our community will find a safe space to connect, heal, and build resilience, ensuring they are empowered to navigate their loss and thrive in the future,” says Chris Sabourin, Executive Director of
Children’s Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region.
First Robotics Competition Team 2619
Team 2619 was as awarded $5,000 by the Youth Action Council to help outfit the Midland Robotics Center, which was recently relocated to provide space for pre-K classrooms in Carpenter School. The grant will allow robotics teams to purchase the equipment necessary to make the new space fully functional.
First United Methodist Church of Midland
The church will use the $10,000 grant to install ten raised garden beds and two trellis “tunnels” for its
Carpenter Street Community Garden project. This initiative will improve access to fresh produce and provide outdoor education opportunities for the surrounding neighborhood.
Midland County Habitat for Humanity (MCHFH)
At $60,000
MCHFH received the largest grant. These funds will allow Habitat to purchase higher-ticket items such as furniture, appliances, and/or flooring from a wholesaler that Habitat cannot otherwise purchase. Through the sale of these items, Habitat will build up funds to purchase quantities of these materials to sustain MCHFH in its mission to establish safe and affordable housing.
“The Community Impact Grant will allow Midland County Habitat for Humanity to increase our capacity within Midland County,” says Dan Laabs, Manager of the MCHFH ReStore.
“We will utilize the funds to purchase products at a substantial discount and offer them to the public at large. Through the sales of these items, the grant will create a self-sustaining fund, allowing us to continue to grow our capacity to serve.”
The ROCK Center for Youth Development (Reaching Our Community Kids)
Chosen by Midland Area Youth Action Council,
Rock was granted $10,000 to support its Peer-to-Peer program. This evidence-based, student-led model raises mental health awareness, reduces stigma, and aims to decrease depression, anxiety, and suicide among youth in Midland County.
The Sleepy Dog Books Foundation
The Youth Action Council selected an $8,000 grant for the foundation’s
Literacy Pack Program, which provides books and literacy resources to families with young children. By delivering reading materials directly to homes and supporting caregivers, the foundation aims to foster essential learning skills and instill a love of reading from an early age.
Temple Beth El
Temple Beth El was awarded a grant of $5000 to cover the initial setup and ongoing internet service to enhance security features at the temple. Spectrum categorizes the temple as a business, providing various internet service options based on the type of bundling. This includes both setup expenses and the acquisition of a router.
How to get involved
The Midland Area Community Foundation is committed to trust-based philanthropy. This approach emphasizes building relationships with nonprofits and ensures that grantmaking addresses their needs.
MACF issues competitive grants quarterly, welcoming applications from 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies, educational institutions, and government entities in Midland County. To donate, establish a fund, or learn about applying for a future grant, contact the Community Foundation at (989) 839-9661 or info@midlandfoundation.org.