FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, December 6, 2024
Mackinac Island Community Foundation trustees and staff are pleased to announce recent grant decisions totaling $119,855 supporting projects and programs on Mackinac Island.
The organization’s grant decisions are guided by their latest Community Needs Assessment, a study conducted in 2023, which indicated the greatest areas of need on Mackinac Island. Targeted focus areas include building the capacity of local nonprofit organizations, strengthening arts and culture, supporting overall wellbeing, and fostering what MICF calls “a vibrant island life.”
“We are thrilled to be supporting organization that are fulfilling their mission to create a vibrant community and very thankful for the donors that have made these grants possible,” says Stephanie McGreevy, Executive Director, “The Island Community Needs Fund has granted over $50,000 enabling the foundation the flexibility to give where the need is greatest. Unrestricted funds will grant approximately $150,000 in 2024, as MICF works with organizations to assist more Island residents, both seasonal and year round.”
The foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee also had a handful of applications to review this fall. With the guidance of YAC advisor Urvana Morse, YAC met in November to review youth-oriented grants, awarding full funding to programs related to sports and recreation.
Below is a brief summary of each award with the funds granted from.
Mackinac Arts Council | $10,000
Support for International Employee Celebrations.
Island Community Needs Fund
Marlee Brown Musser Community Arts Fund
Starling Shakespeare Company | $12,000
Support for 2025 Mackinac Island Shakespeare Festival.
Island Community Needs Fund
Mackinac College Legacy Fund
Father Jim Williams Fund
Marlee Brown Musser Community Arts Fund
Mackinac Connect Foundation | $20,000
Support for Mackinac Connect Employee Events.
Beaumont Fund
Mackinac State Historic Parks | $4,000
Support for Natural Resources Intern.
Erin Lynne Shufelt Environmental Fund
Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch | $13,505
Support for a 2025 Mackinac Island Hawk Count
Francis H. Straus II Memorial Fund
Cheboygan Life Support / Mackinac EMS | $11,190* plus $50,000 donation from Little Stone Church
Support for Stryker Cot Replacement/Upgrade, with additional support from Little Stone Church in the amount of $50,000.
Beaumont Fund
Donald and Valeria Bortz Healthcare Fund
Island Goats Sailing Society Emergency Services Fund
McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation | $2,000
Support for Patient Assistance Program.
Beaumont Fund
Mackinac Horsemen’s Association | $4,800
Support for Winter Boarding for MHA Horses.
Francis H. Straus II Memorial Fund
Preservation of the Horse Tradition Fund
Dr. Rex M. and Elizabeth C. Orr Fund for Animals
Joanne Zwolinski, Alice and Alan Sawyer Friends of Animals Fund
Ste. Anne’s Catholic Church | $3,500
Support for 2024-2025 Meals on Snowmobiles.
Alice and Harry Myron Fund
Mary R. and Wesley H. Maurer, Jr. Fund
Francis H. Straus II Memorial Fund
City of Mackinac Island | $15,000
Support for Cemetery Stone Wall and Cross Repairs.
Island Community Needs Fund
Francis H. Straus II Memorial Fund
Round Island Lighthouse Preservation Society | $1,762
Support for Round Island Lighthouse Interpretation Project.
Round Island Lighthouse Preservation Fund
City of Mackinac Island Recreation Department | $5,865
Support for Turtle Park Recreation Safety.
Youth Fund
Health Youth and Seniors Fund
Mackinac College Legacy Fund
City of Mackinac Island Recreation Department | $893
Support for Winter Recreation Programming.
Island Community Needs Fund
Youth Fund
Mackinac Island Public School | $5,000
Support for NFHS Network Cameras for Event Streaming.
Henry and Audrienne Murray Family Fund
Youth Fund
Mackinac Island Public School | $5,000
Support for Strengthening Athletics: Weight Room.
Island Community Needs Fund
Charlie Williams Fund
Youth Fund
Mackinac Island Public School | $5,340
Support for Afterschool Lakers Club.
Wendy L. Young Fund for Mackinac
Youth Fund