Community Foundation Grants over $93,000

MT. PLEASANT, MI - The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation Board of Trustees recently awarded $93,656.21 in competitive grants to organizations making an impact in Isabella County.

Clothing INC received $1,000 from the Kellogg Youth Fund to provide new, clean socks and underwear for guests of all ages and sizes, requesting articles of clothing.

Community Compassion Network received $11,709 from the Coyne Family Fund, Dr. Leonard E. and Louise A. Plachta Unrestricted Fund, Fabiano Family Fund, and Jane McNamara and Louise Williams Fund to assist with purchasing of the CCN Food Pantry Automatic Generator in order to preserve their food inventory.

Eagle Village received $4,126 from the Kellogg Youth Fund to provide scholarships to ensure that financial circumstances are not a barrier for Isabella County youth and families who are seeking counseling services or intervention/prevention programs.

Gratiot Isabella RESD received $12,026.37 from the Access to Recreation Fund, Brewster Family Access to Recreation Fund, Janet Maar Strickler Access to Recreation Fund, Mary Ellen Brandell Access to Recreation Fund, and Mt. Pleasant Rotary Club Access to Recreation Fund to provide support for the development of an accessible and inclusive playground at the Rosebush Early Learning Center in Rosebush, MI.

Great Start Collaborative received $1,500 from the John P. and Ann S. Jensen Community Impact Fund, Sherwood Family Fund, and Tim and Mary Ann O'Neil Community Impact Fund to host a series of Strengthening Families Parent Cafés in which parents/caregivers learn to actively build their resilience through five protective factors.

Isabella County received $10,000 from the Barbara A. Bissot Fund, Community Impact Fund, Fabiano Family Fund, and Jane McNamara and Louise Williams Fund to support the Chippewa River Erosion and Canoe Launch Project, which is to stabilize several spans of riverbank along the Chippewa River that have erosion problem areas, specifically in Isabella County's Deerfield Nature Park and at Majeske Landing.

Isabella County Restoration House received $1,500 from the Olson Family Fund to provide support for the improvements needed at the Day Shelter to continue to provide regular services for the guests.

Isabella County Restoration House received $2,760 from the Olson Family Fund to conduct leadership training for the organization's new leaders

Isabella County Restoration House received $3,000 from the Kay Smith Family Fund and Summit Petroleum Fund to provide daily transportation for ICRH guests to and from the host sites and to scheduled appointments.

Isabella County Sheriff’s Office received $1,500 from the Coyne Family Fund to provide funding for Operation Safe Seat - Isabella County, a program that provides safe car seats to families that may not otherwise be able to afford it.

Mount Pleasant Discovery Museum received $5,00 from the Jane McNamara and Louise Williams Fund, Kellogg Youth Fund, and Weisenburger Family Fund to provide funding for Teen Night, a unique program for youth in our community to explore mental health topics and make connections with other teens and caring adult mentors in a safe and welcoming environment.

Mt. Pleasant Public School Orchestras received $1,000 from the Kellogg Youth Fund to provide funding for the building of three storage racks for violins and violas.

Mt. Pleasant Fire Department received $26,281.84 from the Community Impact Fund, Denison Unrestricted Fund, Hersee Family Fund, Isabella Bank Director Memorial Fund, and William and Janet Maar Strickler Community Impact Fund to provide funding to replace the current VHF radios with 800 MHZ radios that would tie the department into the State of Michigan communication system and allow for maintained communications with Central Dispatch.

Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Foundation received $8,753 from the Healthy Youth Healthy Seniors Fund and COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Isabella County to provide funding for Connecting Seniors to the World Wide Web, an engaging program that will connect older adults in Isabella County with resources and loved ones, engaging their mental and physical health to reduce feelings of social isolation.

Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan received $3,500 from the Kellogg Youth Fund to provide funding for the Family Support Program 2021, which provides a 'home away from home' for Isabella County families seeking medical treatment and rehabilitation for their child in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Family Support Program offer families bedrooms with private bathrooms, warm dinners, continental breakfast, shuttle services, and other comfort and care amenities - all at no cost.

For more information on grant eligibility, and ways to support the endowed funds that make these grants possible, visit www.mpacf.org.