Michigan Education Grants

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are offering the Step Up for School Wellness (SUFSW) grant, an innovative program designed to empower school health leaders, educators, administrators, families, and communities. This initiative aims to improve the health and well-being of K-12 students and staff across all public, charter, or private nonprofit schools in Michigan. The program aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering healthier school environments and cultivating a culture of wellness, which directly contributes to the development of lifelong healthy behaviors. The primary beneficiaries of this program are K-12 students and school staff throughout Michigan. The program's core impact goals revolve around reducing the incidence of obesity and undernourishment, combating absenteeism, addressing trauma, and nurturing a more productive teaching and learning atmosphere. Through a five-step model, the SUFSW program translates into specific goals focused on improving knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to health and wellness. The program prioritizes several key areas, including empowering students to be more physically active daily and make healthy food choices that incorporate fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and lean protein. Furthermore, it aims to empower students to learn and practice social and emotional skills, and equip staff to implement and participate in well-being initiatives. A significant focus is also placed on encouraging staff to instigate policy, system, and environmental changes that bolster the well-being of both students and staff within schools. Expected outcomes include improved physical activity levels, healthier eating habits, enhanced social and emotional skills among students, and a stronger culture of wellness for all school employees. The program also anticipates policy and environmental changes within schools that support overall well-being. These measurable results are driven by three distinct focus areas: physical activity and physical education resources, healthy eating and nutrition education resources, and well-being resources, all working towards a greater collective impact.

The Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) offers the Mission Support Grant Program to strengthen nonprofit arts and culture organizations across the state. This initiative provides financial assistance to 501(c)(3) organizations whose primary charitable purpose aligns with arts and cultural advancement as identified by their IRS-assigned NTEE code. With funding awards ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the program is designed to sustain and enhance the vibrancy of Michigan’s creative economy by supporting the operational, educational, and developmental needs of cultural institutions statewide. Applicants may request funding in one or more categories, including Operational Support, Facility Enhancement & Equipment Purchase, Professional/Organizational Development, Transportation, and Arts Education programming. Operational Support grants of up to $25,000 help cover essential expenses such as programming, staffing, and public engagement activities that keep arts organizations functioning effectively. Facility and Equipment grants, which provide up to $30,000, enable recipients to upgrade or maintain spaces and purchase equipment critical to delivering cultural programming. To qualify for facility improvements, organizations must demonstrate building ownership or hold a long-term lease. Professional/Organizational Development and Transportation grants each offer up to $1,500. The former supports opportunities for staff, contractors, board members, or volunteers to pursue professional growth through arts-related education or training. Transportation funding assists organizations in facilitating “field trip” experiences—whether bringing participants to their venue or transporting groups to partner sites for cultural events, both within and outside Michigan. These smaller yet impactful grants help organizations enhance capacity and community access to the arts. Arts Education funding, up to $10,000, encourages partnerships between arts organizations and educational institutions serving PreK–12 students. These projects must complement existing school curricula, fostering creativity and learning through direct engagement with the arts. Eligible partners include public and private schools, home-school groups, districts, and accredited Head Start programs. The emphasis is on collaboration that enriches classroom experiences while deepening students’ exposure to Michigan’s cultural landscape. To qualify, applicants must be Michigan-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and publicly accessible programs. All funds awarded must be spent within the grant period of October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. By supporting operational stability, artistic innovation, and educational outreach, MACC’s Mission Support Grant strengthens the infrastructure of Michigan’s arts community. It reflects the Council’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that cultural organizations continue to inspire creativity, learning, and connection across the state.

Grant Opportunity: Outdoor Education Partnership III Description: The Chippewa Nature Center and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service are collaborating to restore wetland, grassland, and pollinator habitat as outdoor classrooms on school lands in the 22 County Saginaw Bay Watershed. County or city-owned lands can also be developed as outdoor education areas if local schools can incorporate them into their curriculum. The projects will be funded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, with an average cost of $2,000 per acre for restoration. Priority will be given to schools, and each project will include a customized curriculum guide, lessons, supplies, and teacher training. Grant Opportunity: Great Mural Project Description: The Downtown Saginaw Association is leading the Great Mural Project, which aims to transform eyesores or forgotten spaces in Saginaw with beautiful murals and community art installations. The project focuses on sustainability, the river system, non-motorized trails, and other WIN investment projects. WIN will provide a small advisory committee to support the project. Grant Opportunity: Places Create Stories : The Power of Nature Description: Heart of the Lakes and Little Forks Conservancy are partnering to develop a media project that highlights the value of nature from an economic and community perspective. The project aims to create three short videos that emphasize the importance of nature for community character, job retention/recruitment, and economic development. The videos will be distributed through land conservancies and can be tailored for different groups' use. Grant Opportunity: Nature Kindergarten Pilot Description: This grant supports the development of a nature-based kindergarten pilot project at Bullock Creek Schools in cooperation with Chippewa Nature Center. Building on the success of a nature-based preschool program at Chippewa Nature Center, this pilot project aims to incorporate nature-based learning into two kindergarten classrooms. Grant Opportunity: MI Great Bay Regional Tourism Marketing & Development Phase 1 Description: This project seeks funding

The Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) is offering the Women’s Education Coalition Grant Program, designed to support women in pursuing educational and employment goals. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to foster increased financial independence and career advancement within the community. By providing renewable grant assistance, KZCF aims to break down financial barriers that often hinder women from accessing further education or professional development, thereby promoting economic mobility and overall community well-being. The Women's Education Coalition is a collaborative effort involving Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; the YWCA of Kalamazoo; and the former Kalamazoo Network, highlighting a collective commitment to empowering women through education. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are women residing in Kalamazoo, Barry, Calhoun, Allegan, St. Joseph, or Van Buren County who have experienced a significant break in their education or are seeking additional education to improve their career and pay opportunities. The primary impact goal is to enhance the financial independence of these women and facilitate their career progression. The grant can be utilized for various educational pathways, including professional development, trade, technology, vocational or certificate programs, as well as associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree programs, accommodating both part-time and full-time students. The program prioritizes underemployed working mothers and those enrolling or already enrolled in not-for-profit educational institutions. This focus underscores KZCF's strategic emphasis on supporting vulnerable populations and promoting access to education within the non-profit sector, which often serves a broader community benefit. Applicants are required to demonstrate how post-high school education will contribute to their goals of increased financial independence, ensuring that the grant's impact is directly linked to tangible personal and economic improvements. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the financial independence and career opportunities for grant recipients. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the program's design suggests that success would be evaluated by the number of women who successfully complete their chosen educational programs, secure better employment, or achieve higher income levels as a direct result of the grant. The foundation's theory of change appears to center on the belief that targeted financial assistance for education directly leads to improved economic stability and empowerment for individuals, which in turn contributes to a more vibrant and equitable community.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofits, government entities, and educational institutions in Charlevoix County that are working to improve youth mental health and create a positive school environment.

This grant provides funding to local governments and Michigan-based non-profits for projects that improve water quality and recreational access in the Chain of Lakes Watershed and surrounding areas in Antrim County, Michigan.

This grant provides funding to educators and coaches within the Colon Community Schools district to enhance academic programs, particularly in the arts, drama, and special education.

The Michigan Gateway Community Foundation is currently accepting grant applications for projects that benefit South Berrien and Cass Counties in Michigan. Grants are aimed at projects that promote the development or strengthening of community assets, have a long-term positive impact, lead to the prevention of recurring needs, encourage cooperation among organizations with related missions, and are financially sustainable without ongoing grant funding. Applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation before applying to understand the grantmaking process and requirements. Prior consultation with the foundation is strongly encouraged for applicants. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Winter deadline: February 1st

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan for projects that promote understanding of Muslims and the Islamic faith through education, dialogue, and community cooperation.

This grant provides financial support to Michigan-based organizations that deliver specialized training to law enforcement, enhancing their communication with limited English-speaking and Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.

The Food Safety Training and Education grant, offered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), aims to provide up to $365,000 for projects focused on food safety training and education. The fund is divided into $242,500 for consumer education and $114,100 for training food service establishment employees and agents enforcing the Michigan Food Law of 2000. Grants will be awarded from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, with multi-year proposals considered based on future funding. Applications are solicited from May 3 to June 24, 2024.

Grant Opportunity: Saginaw Bay Watershed Pollution Prevention/Chemical Collection Program Description: This grant opportunity is for the construction of a permanent facility to collect pesticides from farmers, homeowners, nurseries, etc. The facility will allow any end user of pesticides to dispose of unwanted materials at no cost. The project was completed in 1999 and is a joint project of the Saginaw County Department of Health and the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Grant Opportunity: Demonstrate Effectiveness of Biodegradable Two-Cycle Engine Oil Description: This grant opportunity is for field testing a soy-based oil that can be used as an alternative to petroleum-based oil in engines such as jet skis, outboard motors, and snowmobiles. The soy-based oil is environmentally preferable as it is 96% biodegradable and does not emit pollutants into the air and water. The funding will be used to demonstrate the safety and performance of the oil and document reductions in emissions into the environment. Grant Opportunity: Saginaw Bay Watershed Native Planting Preserve at Saginaw Valley State University Description: This grant opportunity aims to fund the development of a native planting preserve on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University. The preserve will include plants, signage, and walking trails. The project intends to encourage the use of native plantings in the general public and serve as a demonstration/research site at the university. Grant Opportunity: Alternative Energy from Agriculturally-Derived Pellet Fuel Description: This grant opportunity involves analyzing the technical and economic viability of manufacturing renewable pellet fuel derived from agricultural sources. The research includes studying the economic and environmental impact of using biomass combustion furnaces for heating residential and light industrial buildings. The project also includes developing a web-based interface for real-time telemetry information. Grant Opportunity: Conservation Tillage Risk Protection Program Description: This grant opportunity aims to demonstrate the use of conservation tillage in two subwatersheds of the Tittabawassee River. The

The Arc Fund, an initiative by CultureSource, is a $1.5 million grant program designed to support culture-workers of color in Southeast Michigan. Its core mission aligns with addressing historical disadvantages, underrepresentation, and oppression faced by these professionals due to their race. The fund aims to spur growth and provide opportunities for career advancement, contributing to a more equitable and vibrant arts and culture ecosystem in the region. The program specifically targets culture-workers of color living and working full-time in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties in Southeast Michigan. Eligible beneficiaries include arts administrators, artists, arts organizers, curators, and arts programmers whose primary professional focus is advancing arts and culture in the region. The impact goal is to empower these individuals to make significant career leaps, fostering professional development and reducing financial or other obligations that limit their flexibility and growth. The Arc Fund prioritizes individuals prepared to invest in new skills, pursue novel artistic endeavors, or address financial burdens that hinder their career trajectory. It focuses on providing unrestricted awards, professional development experiences, and social networking opportunities. This comprehensive approach reflects a strategic priority to not only offer financial support but also to build capacity and community among culture-workers of color. The expected outcomes include the distribution of 74 unrestricted awards of $15,000 each, enabling recipients to fund various aspects of their professional growth. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of awards distributed, the engagement in professional development, and the overall career advancement reported by the awardees. While a formal theory of change is not explicitly detailed, the initiative implicitly operates on the theory that targeted financial support, skill-building, and networking will directly counter historical inequities, leading to significant career progression and a more inclusive cultural landscape.

This program provides financial support to small nonprofit organizations with annual budgets under $200,000 to enhance their operations and community programs.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to universities for developing programs that train and retain mental health professionals in rural Michigan, ensuring they serve these underserved communities for five years after graduation.

This grant provides financial support and recognition to innovative K-12 public school programs in Michigan that positively impact students and their communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible organizations in Michigan to engage AmeriCorps members in community service activities that address critical local needs in areas such as education, health, and environmental stewardship.

The Public Welfare Foundation's Grant Program aims to support community-led, restorative, and racially just approaches to justice in the United States. The focus areas include innovative criminal justice reform in specific states and cities, dismantling structures that have harmed people of color, investing in community-based solutions to reduce mass incarceration, and reframing the narrative around the U.S. criminal justice system through storytelling and journalism.

This program provides financial assistance to homeowners in Dearborn for the rehabilitation, repair, or replacement of damaged porches and outdoor steps.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Great Lakes states and tribes for collaborative projects aimed at preventing and managing aquatic invasive species across state and tribal boundaries.