Seven 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 fourth quarter amounted to $108,000. 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 fourth quarter grants range from $5,000 to $60,000, each 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 the practices of trust-based philanthropy. This framework reflects a commitment to build relationships with nonprofits and make grantmaking responsive to their needs. This funding cycle includes operational grants to nonprofits, one of the principles of trust-based philanthropy.
“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. 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,” said Sharon Mortensen, President & CEO of the Midland Community Foundation.
Fourth quarter grants for 2024 include:
• Children’s Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region – $10,000
Support Programming for Grieving Children (Youth Action Council Grant)
The Children’s Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region 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. Last school year, the organization served 40 schools, up from 15 two years ago. Funding from this grant will allow the addition of an extra night for peer support and the inclusion of 10 more schools, meeting the essential need to support grieving children.
“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,” said Chris Sabourin, Executive Director of Children’s Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region.
• First Robotics Competition Team 2619 – $5,000
Midland Robotics Center Outfitting (Youth Action Council Grant)
In June 2024, secondary-level robotics teams for Midland Public Schools moved to a new location, allowing MPS PreK exclusive use of Carpenter School. The new robotics location offers many benefits and some challenges. Over the summer, the teams collaborated to identify necessary items to complete outfitting the new space. After extensive research and sourcing some second-hand items, the teams are now in the final fundraising stages to make the Robotics Center fully functional. Funding from this grant will help purchase these items.
• First United Methodist Church of Midland – $10,000
Carpenter Street Community Garden
This grant will assist with the installation of ten Durable GreenBed Raised Garden Beds (two L-shaped 1’x4’x12’x16′, six 1’x4’x16′, and two 1’x4’x8′), the 6 yards of soil to fill them, and the materials for two trellis “tunnels.”
• Midland County Habitat for Humanity (MCHFH) – $60,000
Revenue Increase through Purchased Product Lines
This grant will provide funding to purchase products to sell in the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. 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 continuously purchase quantities of these materials to sustain MCHFH in its mission to establish safe, decent, and affordable housing. MCHFH will be an exclusive supplier of Ashley Furniture in Midland.
“The Community Impact Grant will allow Midland County Habitat for Humanity to increase our capacity within Midland County. We will utilize the funds to purchase products at a substantial discount and offer them to the public at large. In many cases, items such as new large appliances, flooring, and furniture are too expensive for residents to purchase at a traditional big box store. Through the sales of these items, the grant will create a self-sustaining fund, allowing us to continue to grow our capacity to serve,” said Dan Laabs, Manager of the Midland County Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
• ROCK Center for Youth Development (Reaching Our Community Kids) – $10,000
Peer-to-Peer Program (Youth Action Council Grant)
Peer-to-Peer is a Rock Center for Youth Development program that engages student-led teams to raise mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and serve as positive role models to help shape social norms and attitudes toward mental illnesses. This approach is evidence-based and hopeful, with the ultimate goal of reducing depression, anxiety, and suicide among youth. Funding from this grant will support the further impact of this program.
• Sleepy Dog Books Foundation – $8,000
Sleepy Dog Books Foundation Literacy Pack Program (Youth Action Council Grant)
The Sleepy Dog Books Foundation Literacy Pack Program is committed to placing books and literacy resources in the homes of young children throughout the community and supporting caregivers in cultivating a passion for reading. The program fosters foundational learning skills to help children succeed across developmental needs, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status. Through this grant, Sleepy Dogs Books will increase its capacity.
• Temple Beth El – $5,000
Funding for Internet and Security Services
Temple Beth El received this grant of $5000 to cover initial setup and monthly internet service to allow for increased security components at the Temple. The Temple is considered a business by Spectrum, and as such, they have several options for internet service from $50-$80 per month, depending on type of bundling. This includes setup costs and the purchase of a router for use in the Temple. It is estimated that setup costs will be less than $500 and a monthly fee close to $50 per month.
Competitive 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.