Seventeen grants were recently approved by the Midland Area Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees, including four grants from the Midland Area Youth Action Council. The total grantmaking for the first quarter amounted to $451,750. Grantmaking from the Midland Area Community Foundation is made possible by community members who have contributed to funds that support the charitable, cultural, educational, recreational, and scientific needs of the Midland area, in alignment with the Community Foundation’s purpose.
The Community Foundation’s first quarter grantees received $5,250 to $60,000, each request focusing on one of four significant areas of community improvement: Building Our Livelihood, Developing Our Talent, Caring for Our People, and Enriching Our Community. Through their grant applications, community partners shared how the Community Foundation’s investment would allow them to scale their impact in one or more of these areas.
The Midland Area Community Foundation is committed to trust-based philanthropy. This framework reflects a commitment to building relationships with nonprofits and making grantmaking responsive to their needs. This funding cycle includes operational grants to nonprofits, a key principle of trust-based philanthropy.
“Every grant we make, and every gift we receive, reflects something bigger than any one of us. It is a belief in Midland County and in the people who call this place home. Through the generosity of our donors, we can respond to today’s needs while building a stronger, more resilient future. That is the true power of community philanthropy. It turns individual acts of giving into lasting impact for all,” said Sharon Mortensen, President & CEO of the Midland Area Community Foundation.
First quarter grant awards for 2026 include:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midland County, Inc.: $10,000
Recruitment Strategy 2-Year Pilot Program: Expanding Youth Access to Mentors (Midland Area Youth Action Council Grant):
Funds will support a two-year pilot recruitment strategy designed to expand access to mentoring for youth in Midland County. This project will strengthen volunteer recruitment systems, reduce wait times for young people seeking mentors, and establish a sustainable model that increases long-term stability, developmental assets, and supportive relationships for youth.
“This project helps us strengthen how we recruit volunteer mentors so more Midland County youth can experience the life-changing impact of having a caring adult in their corner,” said Scott Litle, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region.
- Chippewa Nature Center, Inc.: $5,250
Developing CNC’s Quiet Room – Building an Inclusive Space (Midland Area Youth Action Council Grant):
Funds will support the creation of a dedicated quiet room at Chippewa Nature Center, providing a calming and inclusive space for youth and caregivers who feel overwhelmed or overstimulated during visits. The room will include accessible entry, adjustable lighting, sensory supports, and comfortable seating, and will also serve as a private space for caregiving needs such as feeding or pumping. This project will enhance accessibility and ensure a welcoming experience for all visitors.
- Central Michigan University (CMU) Public Broadcasting: $40,000
WCMU Great Lakes Bay Region Reporter Request:
“WCMU Public Media is thrilled to have the opportunity to dig deeper into the stories percolating in the Great Lakes Bay region. Support from the Midland Area Community Foundation will allow WCMU to hire a new reporter dedicated to this work. This expansion represents a significant investment in our commitment to providing localized, high-impact journalism to the communities of Bay, Isabella, Midland, and Saginaw counties,” said Rick Westover, General Manager of WCMU.” It also serves as a model for future opportunities to expand dedicated coverage into other regions within central and northern Michigan. WCMU believes that local and regional news is the heartbeat of a thriving democracy. This new role isn’t just about more stories; it’s about better service to our listeners and a deeper understanding of the place we all call home.”
- County of Midland – 42nd Circuit Court: $37,200
MiHOPE Recovery Coach Hours:
Funds will restore up to 100 hours per month of recovery coaching services for participants in the MiHOPE program following significant state funding reductions. This project will expand access to recovery support for individuals impacted by substance use, helping stabilize participants and sustain progress toward long-term recovery.
- Edenville Township: $21,800
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Gear Replacement for Firefighter Safety and Readiness:
Funds will support the replacement of four aging self-contained breathing apparatus units that no longer meet current safety standards. This project will improve firefighter safety, ensure equipment reliability across two fire stations, and maintain consistent emergency response readiness for Edenville residents.
- Foster Families Navigation & Resource Center Inc.: $27,500
Strengthening Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Families in Midland County:
Funds will provide operating support to sustain and coordinate programs serving foster, adoptive, and kinship families throughout Midland County. This project will support staffing, program delivery, and community engagement efforts that reduce caregiver burnout, strengthen family stability, and improve outcomes for children impacted by foster care.
- Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan: $10,000
Midland County Girl Scouting (Midland Area Youth Action Council Grant):
Funds will support financial assistance, program supplies, and direct services to recruit, retain, and support girls and adult volunteers participating in Girl Scouts in Midland County. This project will expand access to leadership development, skill-building, and positive youth experiences.
- Great Lakes Bay Mental Health Partnership (Central Michigan University (CMU) Medical Education Partners): $50,000
Decrease Mental Health Stigma, Expand Workplace and Youth Mental Health Programs, and Enhance Mental Health Provider Access in Midland County:
Funds will provide operational support to sustain and expand countywide mental health initiatives. This project will advance anti-stigma efforts, expand workplace and youth mental health programming, and strengthen access to mental health providers. Funding will support staffing, outreach, administration, and coordination needed to maintain and grow impact across Midland County.
- Great Lakes Bay Mental Health Partnership (Central Michigan University (CMU) Medical Education Partners): $10,000
Expand Youth Mental Health First Aid in Midland County (Midland Area Youth Action Council Grant):
Funds will support the delivery of two Youth Mental Health First Aid training courses in Midland County. This project will equip parents, educators, caregivers, and community members with evidence-based tools to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges among adolescents ages 12 to 18, increasing early intervention and community support.
- Hope for the Forgotten Outreach: $10,000
2026 Support for Midland County:
Funds will support the expansion of emergency small home repair services for Midland County families facing financial hardship. This project will remove barriers to safe and stable housing by addressing urgent repair needs, improving living conditions, and supporting vulnerable households through hands-on community engagement.
- Jerome Township Fire Department: $30,000
Purchase and Installation of a Programmable LED Sign for Public Safety Communication:
“The new fire department sign will significantly improve the visibility of our fire station and make it easier for residents to find and attend community events such as blood drives, immunization clinics, and training sessions,” said Jerry Cole, Jerome Township Fire Chief. “It will also serve as an important communication tool, helping ensure that residents are promptly informed about critical information that may affect them or require immediate action. The sign can be activated by Midland County Central Dispatch and/or the Fire Department personnel to quickly share updates about severe weather, road closures, and other urgent community notifications. This is especially important for those traveling along Saginaw Road and for community members who may not have access to smartphones or the internet.”
- Midland Center for Accessible Health Care Helping Hands Dental Center: $10,000
Equipment Replacement and In-House Dental Production:
Funds will support the replacement of obsolete or failing equipment and the purchase of a milling unit for in-house production of dental onlays, inlays, and crowns. This project will improve operational efficiency, reduce reliance on costly third-party labs, and expand access to affordable care for low-income residents and individuals with disabilities in Midland County.
- Regents of the University of Michigan: $25,000
Sustainability Teacher Fellowship: Promoting Midland Futures through Student Place & Project-Based Education:
Funds will support the 2026–27 Sustainability Teacher Fellowship, engaging eight Midland County educators and approximately 500 K–12 students in hands-on, place-based sustainability projects. This project will provide professional development, stipends, mini-grants, and mentorship, connecting classrooms with community and workforce partners while strengthening local talent pipelines.
- Salvation Army of Midland: $60,000
Before & After School Program Funding:
Funds will support the ongoing operation of before- and after-school programming for at-risk students. This project will sustain staffing, academic support, enrichment activities, meals, and safe supervision, providing a consistent and supportive environment that promotes academic success, positive behavior, and youth wellbeing.
- The Children’s Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region: $60,000
Building Stronger Futures Through Children’s Grief Support:
Funds will sustain and expand grief support programs serving children and families in Midland County. This project will ensure continued access to evening and school-based groups, helping children develop healthy coping skills, build resilience, and receive supportive intervention during critical stages of development.
- Valley Organization for Improved Communication and Equality (VOICE): $30,000
Reliable Rides Initiative:
Funds will support the purchase of two shared vehicles to ensure staff have reliable transportation when their personal vehicles are unavailable. This project will remove a critical barrier to service delivery, maintain continuity of care for clients, and strengthen organizational capacity to provide consistent, high-quality services.
- Wildlife Recovery Association: $15,000
Transportation for Live Bird Education Programs:
Funds will support the purchase of an all-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with a lift gate and temperature control to safely transport live birds to educational program sites. This project will expand the organization’s ability to deliver wildlife education programs while ensuring safe transport for animals, volunteers, interns, and equipment.
Responsive grants are offered quarterly. Grants are open to all 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies, educational institutions, and government entities in Midland County. To inquire about donating, establishing a fund, or applying for a grant, contact the Community Foundation at (989) 839-9661 or info@midlandfoundation.org.