Midland Area Community Foundation grants $176,000 in third quarter
September 29th, 2022
The Midland Area Community Foundation Board of Trustees recently approved three grants to Midland area nonprofits, totaling $176,000, including a foundation-directed grant for $125,000 to increase accessibility and ensure equitable restroom access in one of Midland’s most visited parks.
The Community Foundation’s third-quarter grants range from $11,000 to $125,000, each focusing on one of four significant areas of community improvement: (1) building our livelihood, (2) developing our talent, (3) caring for our people, and (4) enriching our community. Successful grant applications articulated which of these areas would be benefited through the acquisition of funding, using various measures and indicators to illustrate success.
“The Community Foundation works to help build a community where all can thrive. The grants we provide address issues that are critical to help our neighbors thrive,” said Sharon Mortensen, President & CEO of the Midland Area Community Foundation. “We approach grantmaking diligently – understanding the projects and organizations we support can provide long-term transformation to Midland County.”
Third-quarter grants for 2022 include:
- Midland Community Former Offenders Advocacy and Rehabilitation (MCFOAR) – $11,000
This grant to MCFOAR is to aid with two new projects. MCFOAR will utilize funds to support first-time drunk driving offenders attending Impact Weekend. Additionally, MCFOAR is helping clients through their Sober Housing Assistance Program. MCFOAR will assist clients with move-in costs associated with seeking residency.
- The Bridge Food Center – $40,000
This gift to The Bridge Food Center (Bridge) is to support a one-time building project. The Bridge has served 6,392 households within the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population over the last 5 ½ years at 1539 Washington St. The need for affordable food is growing due to high inflation on food, fuel, and more. The Bridge has purchased a building on Saginaw Road for a future location, so they may increase capacity to serve more customers, offering more options to help revitalize Midland.
- Midland Rotary Foundation – $125,000
The Midland Rotary Foundation applied for this grant to support the Grove Park Fully Accessible Restroom Project. Grove Park will feature two ADA-accessible toilet facilities, but the project will go beyond the ADA national standards, which haven’t been updated since 2010.
“We are grateful for this $125,000 grant from the Healthy Communities Fund of the Midland Area Community Foundation to fund the Grove Park Restroom Project. This project will build a state-of-the-art accessible restroom on an international standard called “Changing Places.” One room will have equipment such as a hoist, a height-adjustable adult-sized changing table, a privacy screen, a centrally located peninsula toilet, and an oversized automatic electric door. It will be the first of its kind in our community, allowing people with severe disabilities such as an acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, and motor neuron disease and their caregivers, an opportunity able to plan a day out for community activities and events,” said Tim Dyste, President of the Midland Rotary Foundation. “The second will be a standard ADA-accessible restroom. The park has already seen a significant increase in use resulting from earlier stages in the long-term plan. Just one example is last Halloween’s “Trunk or Treat,” attended by hundreds of excited kids. The Midland Rotary Foundation has been leading the effort to realize the long-term plan for the revitalization of our historic Midtown park.”
Competitive grants are offered quarterly. Grants are open to all 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies, public schools, 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.
