Michigan Private Grants

The Superior Health Foundation is offering proactive grant-giving initiatives for 2023-2024, focusing on addressing pediatric mental health issues in the Upper Peninsula. This grant program aligns with the foundation's mission to improve health and well-being in the region by tackling critical community health needs. The foundation emphasizes collaborative projects that have a collective impact, indicating a strategic priority on partnerships and comprehensive solutions. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are children and adolescents in the Upper Peninsula who are experiencing mental health issues. The program aims to improve access to and quality of pediatric mental health services. The overall impact goal is to significantly enhance the mental well-being of young people in the region by fostering a more robust and accessible support system. The grant program's key focus is pediatric mental health. The Request For Proposals (RFP) specifically targets this area, demonstrating a clear commitment to a pressing health concern. The Superior Health Foundation, along with its funding partners, the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, will award over $1.3 million, highlighting the substantial resources dedicated to this priority. Expected outcomes include the development and implementation of effective programs and services to address pediatric mental health. Measurable results could involve increased access to mental health screenings, therapy, and support services for children, as well as improvements in mental health indicators among the target population. The foundation's strategic priorities include supporting initiatives with collective impact, suggesting a theory of change that emphasizes the power of collaborative efforts to create lasting positive change in community health.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is offering the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) to advance pollinator conservation. The core mission of this fund is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. This aligns with NFWF’s broader Monarch Butterfly Business Plan, indicating a strategic, long-term commitment to these species. The fund aims to support both technical assistance for private working lands and direct habitat improvement projects. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include monarch butterflies and other at-risk native insect pollinator species, such as the rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. The program also indirectly benefits private landowners, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, especially those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by providing resources and incentives for conservation practices on their lands. The overall impact goal is to significantly enhance the quality, quantity, and connectivity of pollinator habitat across eligible states. The Pollinator Fund has two main categories of focus. The first is Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands, which prioritizes increasing voluntary engagement of private landowners in conservation practices through staff resources and targeted outreach for Farm Bill programs like CSP and EQIP. The second category, Habitat Improvement, focuses on on-the-ground restoration and enhancement of pollinator habitat, emphasizing regionally appropriate milkweed and diverse native nectar plants, as well as increasing the supply of native seeds and seedlings. These priorities align with NFWF's strategic goal of fostering sustainable ecosystems through direct habitat restoration and incentivizing private land stewardship. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to this program. All proposals must demonstrate how they will directly and measurably contribute to the Pollinator Fund's goals, specifically by providing the number of acres restored or enhanced. A minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states must be restored or enhanced. Historically, successful projects have averaged 2,120 acres, indicating a substantial scale for expected impact. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial assistance and technical support, and by focusing on key geographical areas and species, NFWF can effectively reverse declines in monarch and other native pollinator populations, thereby contributing to broader ecosystem health and biodiversity. The total funding of up to $5.1 million in 2024, contributed by a diverse group of partners, underscores the collaborative and impactful nature of this strategic initiative.

This grant provides financial support to exceptional artists in the metro Detroit area, enabling them to further their creative practice and community impact.

The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust's grant program aims to enhance the quality of life for companion animals and native wildlife. This mission aligns with the foundation's core belief in supporting innovative projects that go beyond basic care, providing long-term benefits for animals today and in the future. The trust focuses on helping organizations deliver an enhanced quality of life for homeless and abused companion animals. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include homeless and abused companion animals, native wildlife, and owned companion animals in under-resourced urban/rural areas or those owned by socially vulnerable populations. Impact goals include increasing successful adoptions, improving staff and volunteer care delivery, promoting humane education, enhancing access to medical care, and controlling pet and feral animal populations through spay/neuter initiatives. The program prioritizes several key areas: animal adoption, behavior training, and fostering; continuing education and training for staff and volunteers; humane and wildlife education; medical care, rehabilitation, and wellness care for animals; pet and feral animal population control through spay/neuter; equipment directly benefiting animals; and other animal care initiatives that celebrate the human-animal bond. Preferred projects include non-capital means of expanding shelter capacity, opportunities for staff and volunteer development, school and community programs addressing humane care, and assistance for owned pets from under-resourced households. Expected outcomes and measurable results include increased successful adoptions, improved delivery of care by staff and volunteers, enhanced community understanding of animal welfare, better access to medical care for vulnerable animal populations, and a reduction in unwanted pet populations. The foundation's strategic priorities are centered on supporting initiatives that lead to a high quality of life for individual animals and significant improvements for large numbers of animals. Their theory of change is that by funding innovative projects and supporting eligible organizations, they can foster better humane care, improve animal well-being, and address critical issues such as overpopulation and lack of access to care, ultimately creating a more compassionate environment for animals.

This grant provides financial assistance for transportation to local baseball and hockey games for accredited schools and nonprofit organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan that demonstrate a need.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations for projects that enhance health, education, arts, and community development in the Homer area of Michigan, particularly benefiting underserved populations.

This funding initiative provides financial support to Michigan-based nonprofits and higher education institutions that assist startups, aiming to boost innovation and economic development in the state.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Dallas, Detroit, and Chicago that assist working students with job training, career development, and other resources to help them succeed while balancing education and employment.

The Sisters of St. Francis (Sylvania) Foundation Grant Program, in partnership with the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, is offering grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to 501(c)(3) organizations in selected counties of Ohio and Michigan, to support programs that combat human trafficking, assist immigrants and refugees, advance social justice and equal opportunity, and promote environmental preservation and sustainability.

The Historical Society of Michigan's U.P. Centennial Farms grant opportunity is available for Upper Peninsula farming families who have owned and operated a working farm of 10 or more acres continuously for at least 100 years. This program aims to recognize the historical significance of these farms and their contribution to the culture and development of Michigan. Once certified through the Michigan Centennial Farm Program, owners will receive a certificate and a display marker for their farm. The green-and-yellow markers are sponsored by UPPCO in their Upper Peninsula service area. The following Centennial Farms have been recognized by UPPCO: - Augustus Schaffer Farm (1857) in Ontonagon, certified on 02/01/1962 - James Daniels Farm (1865) in Ontonagon, certified on 01/18/1966 - Jermiah Penegor Farm (1850) in Ontonagon, certified on 06/16/1966 - Alex Rheault Farm (1866) in Houghton, certified on 9/22/1969 - Patrick DeLoughary Farm (1882) in Menominee, certified on 04/15/1982 - August and Sophia Krans Farm (1882) in Iron, certified on 03/08/1985 - Joel David and Anna Millard Farm (1857) in Ontonagon, certified on 05/10/1985 - Peder Olaus Olsen Farm (1884) in Iron, certified on 09/23/1985 - Fred A. and Regina Hall Farm (1889) in Iron, certified on 05/20/1986 - Carl Kunde Farm (1881) in Marquette, certified on 11/24/1986 And many more farms have been recognized.

The Community Foundation is offering multiple grant cycles in 2024, including 5 community grant cycles and two ongoing grant cycles. The grants focus on various areas such as arts and culture, education, environment and land use initiatives, community and economic development, civic improvement, human services, health and wellness projects, recreation, and youth projects. Nonprofit organizations, educational institutions (preschool through college), and all units of government serving Charlevoix County residents are eligible to apply. The application deadlines vary for each grant cycle. Applicants are encouraged to contact Ashley Cousens or Megan Havrilla DeHoog to discuss eligibility and receive an access code for the online grant application. Grant decisions will be announced in early December, and funded organizations will be required to submit a follow-up report within one year of the grant award.

The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo offers Arts Fund Project Support grants to support organizations aiming to engage culturally diverse and/or underserved communities within Kalamazoo County, emphasizing ethnic/minority, tribal, and rural communities. This initiative seeks to enhance the quality and diversity of arts in the region. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 organizations with annual budgets under $500,000, especially those targeting underserved communities. Projects must occur solely within and cater exclusively to Kalamazoo County's citizens. Two application periods are open for this grant: July 15 - September 20, 2024, and December 16 - February 14, 2025. The maximum grant amount is $5,500 or up to 50% of the project's budget.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to dairy farms and processing facilities in select Midwestern states to promote product development, diversification, and value-added dairy innovations.

The Hestia Woman’s Giving Circle makes grants to promote economic self sufficiency and well being for women and girls in Emmet and Charlevoix Counties, Michigan. The giving circle supports programs delivered by eligible community organizations and educational institutions. Typical grants range from 1,000 to 4,000 dollars. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions from preschool through college, and all units of government that provide programs or services for women and girls in the two county area. Applicants without tax exempt status must use a qualified fiduciary. Applicants must be current with tax status and, where applicable, registration to solicit charitable donations in Michigan. Projects should clearly benefit women and girls in the service area and demonstrate organizational capacity to deliver the proposed work. The grant duration is not specified in the public description. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the giving circle’s process. Additional information is available from the Hestia Woman’s Giving Circle.

This funding opportunity supports projects that benefit organizations in Branch County, with a focus on initiatives that empower and uplift women in the community.

The Circle Michigan Foundation Field Trip Transportation Grant Program is designed to provide financial assistance for transportation to Michigan schools. This program aligns with the Foundation's mission to support educational institutions within the State of Michigan, specifically K-12 educational institutions, by removing financial barriers to field trip participation. The grant aims to facilitate enriching educational experiences for students that might otherwise be inaccessible due to transportation costs. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are K-12 educational institutions located in Michigan, serving all counties within the state. The primary impact goal is to enable a greater number of students to participate in field trips, thereby enhancing their learning experiences and exposure to diverse educational opportunities. The Foundation prioritizes supporting schools in Michigan to ensure that students across the state have equitable access to these valuable educational outings. The program focuses on providing transportation grants, addressing a specific and often significant cost associated with field trips. While the exact size of individual grants is not available, the program is designed for a duration of less than one year, with an application period from April 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024, and a deadline for applications on June 30, 2024. This structured timeline ensures efficient allocation of funds for the upcoming academic year's field trip planning. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of field trips undertaken by Michigan schools and a corresponding increase in student participation. Measurable results would involve tracking the number of grants awarded, the schools benefiting, and potentially the number of students impacted. The Circle Michigan Foundation's strategic priority in this instance is to directly invest in the educational development of Michigan's youth by ensuring access to practical, outside-the-classroom learning experiences. Their theory of change suggests that by alleviating transportation costs, more students will be able to engage in educational field trips, leading to improved learning outcomes and broader experiential knowledge.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan for programs that promote fitness and wellness among children in kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as for improving community sports facilities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to museums and nonprofit organizations in Michigan to help stabilize their operations, expand their capacity, and implement strategic initiatives over the next five years.

The Huron County Community Foundation (HCCF) is currently accepting applications for its fall grant cycle, inviting projects that aim to make a positive impact on Huron County, Michigan. As a nonprofit community corporation, HCCF's mission is deeply rooted in supporting the people of Huron County by fostering prosperity. This is achieved through a focus on Community & Economic Growth, aligning the grant program directly with the foundation's core purpose of enhancing the well-being and development of the region. HCCF's strategic priorities are designed to cultivate a thriving environment within Huron County. These include retaining and attracting a talented, trained workforce, creating vibrant and dynamic communities, and cultivating an environment conducive to business development. Projects addressing these areas are given preference for unrestricted grantmaking dollars. This focus reflects the foundation's theory of change, which posits that by investing in these key areas, they can catalyze broader community and economic growth, leading to a more prosperous future for all residents. Beyond the strategic priorities, the HCCF also encourages applications for projects that address numerous other interest areas, indicating a broad scope for potential beneficiaries. These areas include Arts and Culture, Education, Health & Medicine, Basic Needs Services, Beautification of Huron County, Natural Areas Preservation, Disadvantaged Youth, Recreation, and Women in STEM. This diverse range of focus areas ensures that a wide array of community needs and interests can be supported, reflecting a comprehensive approach to community development and impact. Applicants are required to submit a detailed project narrative, outlining the project's description and purpose, including its location and the number of people it will serve. This narrative should also address the project's long-term impact and measurable results, demonstrating how the grant from HCCF would be recognized. Furthermore, applicants must describe their evaluation methods to determine if their purpose was accomplished, and provide a budget with estimated income and expenses. These guidelines are designed to ensure accountability and to help the HCCF assess the potential effectiveness and sustainability of each proposed project, ultimately aiming for impactful and measurable outcomes that align with the foundation's mission.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan for innovative programs that improve community well-being, support families, and foster youth development.