Community Foundation Announces $154,000+ in Grants

During their Summer Celebration, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation announced $154,978.13 in competitive grants to organizations making an impact in Isabella County. More than 100 donors and community partners cheered as awards were read aloud at the microphone on the patio at Hunter’s Ale House Thursday evening.

Community Foundation staff and volunteers make announcements during the Summer Celebration

Amateur Hockey Association of Mt. Pleasant received $2,500 from the Kellogg Youth Fund, Fabiano Family Fund, Connor J. Puhlman Memorial Fund for Youth, and Gilmore Family Fund for Youth to purchase hockey equipment for beginning players.

Chippewa Watershed Conservancy received $3,000 from the G. Charles and Janice L. Hubscher Fund, Barbara A. Bissot Fund, and Ruth S. and Gerard R. Felter and Florence F. Battenfeld Family Fund to purchase and install signage at two waterfront preserves, Kjolhede's Kove on Coldwater Lake and Szok Riverbend Preserve on the Chippewa River.

Christian Counseling of Mid Michigan received $3,100 from the Women’s Initiative Fund to purchase three complete stations for counseling staff to conduct mental health sessions via telehealth.  

Christian Counseling of Mid Michigan received $285.87 from the Kellogg Youth Fund for Get Your Game On, a program to engage youth and adolescent clients while they process their mental health struggles.

Christmas Outreach of Isabella County received $4,000 from the Women’s Initiative Fund to purchase and distribute 100 age-appropriate books and 150 pairs of boots for women and girls.

Clothing INC received $5,000 from the Kellogg Youth Fund, Bandit Industries Community Impact Fund, Schafer Community Impact Fund, and Joanne Golden Family Community Impact Fund to purchase new socks, underwear, and bras for women and girls in Isabella County.

First Church of the Nazarene received $5,000 from the John P. and Ann S. Jensen Community Impact Fund, Michael D. and Dianne C. Morey Community Needs Fund, Sullivan Family Fund, and Tim and Mary Ann O’Neil Community Impact Fund to purchase and install a handicap platform stair lift, thus making the facility fully accessible.

Friends of the Broadway received $20,000 from the Community Impact Fund, Jane McNamara and Louise Williams Fund, Kay Smith Family Fund, Summit Petroleum Fund, W. Sidney Smith and Judith French Smith Family Fund, John Neyer Family Fund, and L.A. and Marilyn B. Johns Family Fund to replace a portion of the Broadway Theater roof to ensure that the integrity and historical value of the theater is preserved for many years to come.

Girls Scouts Heart of Michigan received $5,000 from the Women’s Initiative Fund for their Girl Scouting through PEAK program. The program gives girls from resource limited families access to programming focused on reading, STEM, and positive social connection in a safe, supportive environment.

HopeWell Ranch received $300 from the Kellogg Youth Fund to purchase rabbit travel equipment for the Hoppyness on the Go program.

Humane Animal Treatment Society received $6,900 from the Hersee Family Fund, Weisenburger Family Fund, Andy Wheeler Community Needs Fund, Missy and Doug LaBelle Family Foundation Community Impact Fund, and Bovee Family Fund to construct a canine play yard, which will allow for additional enrichment and exercise activities.

Isabella Citizens for Health received $3,000 from the Kellogg Youth Fund to provide patients ages 0-18 with the option to take home a book during their pediatric visits.

Isabella Community Soup Kitchen received $10,000 from the Coyne Family Fund and COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Isabella County to provide 6,000 Meals in 60 Days.

Isabella County received $11,000 from the Access to Recreation Fund, Brewster Family Access to Recreation Fund, Janet Maar Strickler Access to Recreation Fund, and Mary Ellen Brandell Access to Recreation Fund to stabilize several spans of the bank along the Chippewa River that have erosion and canoe launch access problems.

Isabella County Youth and Farm Fair Society received $20,500 from the Community Impact Fund, Jerry M. and Marilyn A. Morey Community Fund, Isabella Bank Director Memorial Fund, Denison Unrestricted Fund, Kellogg Youth Fund, Kimber and Judy DeWitt Family Fund, Rapaport Family Fund, Ralph and Sonja Baumgarth Family Fund, David B. and Susan K. Keilitz Family Fund to make critical repairs to the horse stall barn located at the Isabella County Fairgrounds.

Life Choices of Central Michigan received $3,750 from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Isabella County for the Drive Thru Diapers program, which provides a low contact, simple way for parents and caregivers to receive essential items like diapers, wipes, and formula.

Mid Central Area Health Education Center received $4,000 from the Kellogg Youth Fund, David B. and Susan K. Keilitz Family Fund, and Ronald H. and Donna M. Cooper Family Fund for the Health Careers Pipeline program, which empowers local high school students to pursue careers in the health professions.

Middle Michigan Development Foundation received $5,000 from the Sherwood Family Fund, Elizabeth Z. Miller & Bruce H. LaPointe Community Needs Fund, Staples Family Fund, Jane McNamara and Louise Williams Fund, and Myler Family Community Impact Fund for a pitch competition to enhance the vibrancy of downtown Mt. Pleasant.

Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Foundation received $6,000 from the Isabella County Health Improvement Fund for the purchase of an OmniCycle, which will provide a comparable, inclusive workout to those with varying ability levels, improve strength and independence, and bring meaningful therapy to more than 75 vulnerable older adults in the Mt. Pleasant area.

Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of MI received $16,353 from the Community Impact Fund, Dr. Leonard E. and Louise A. Plachta Unrestricted Fund, William and Janet Maar Strickler Community Impact Fund, Theunissen Family Fund, and Steve and Sue Pung Family Fund to repair a walk-in decontamination unit and to purchase a second unit to preserve historical indigenous artifacts.

The Care Store received $5,000 from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Isabella County to restock their shelves with personal and home care products for Isabella County residents in need.

The Care Store received $5,000 from the Kellogg Youth Fund, Connor J. Puhlman Memorial Youth Fund and Darlene Bond Memorial Youth Fund to purchase teen care and grooming products for Isabella County youth in need.

Village of Shepherd received $6,897.57 from the Shepherd Area Community Fund in Honor of Robert H. Bates for the purchase of a rubber mat for the sensory tower at the new splash park.

Village of Shepherd received $1,477.56 from the Shepherd Area Community Fund in Honor of Robert H. Bates to purchase new Christmas costumes for the Shepherd Christmas Parade.

William and Janet Strickler Nonprofit Center received $2,500 from the Morning Sun Community Fund, and Barbara L. and George W. Dunn Family Fund to assist in providing a clean, comfortable, and compassionate environment for tenant agency clients in the lobby areas while they wait for services.

Applications for the next competitive grant cycle are due September 14, 2022.