Community Foundation Announces more than $118,000 in Grants

MT. PLEASANT, MI – The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation is proud to announce $118,859.58 in its most recent round of competitive grants to organizations dedicated to serving Isabella County.

The grants were announced during the Foundation’s June 27 annual Summer Celebration. The event recognized the grant recipients and the importance of local philanthropy, which makes such awards possible.

More than 150 individuals, business and nonprofit leaders attended the celebration at Hunter’s Ale House.

Art Reach of Mid Michigan received $1,500 from the Olson Family Fund for the Free Summer Arts Project to keep the arts alive and accessible for everyone in the community.

Christian Counseling of Mid Michigan received $5,500 from the Kellogg Youth Fund for the Creating Confident Character program pairing females ages 13-18 with mental health providers to build self-esteem.

Christmas Outreach of Isabella County received $1,000 from the Women’s Initiative Fund to purchase feminine hygiene products for teen girl stockings to be handed out during their Christmas event.

City of Mt. Pleasant received $10,240 from the Access to Recreation Fund, Community Impact Fund, Isabella Bank Director Memorial Fund, Mary Ellen Brandell Access to Recreation Fund, Mt. Pleasant Rotary Club Access to Recreation Fund and Weisenburger Family Fund to purchase three benches and four ADA accessible picnic tables for the Town Center Civic Space

Clothing INC received $6,000 from the Kellogg Youth Fund for the purchase of adult size clothing for Isabella County youth.

Clothing INC received $2,500 from the Barbara L. and George W. Dunn Family Fund, Ronald H. and Donna M. Cooper Family Fund, Staples Family Fund and Sullivan Family Fund for the purchase of size 2x-5x clothing for Isabella County residents.

Community Compassion Network received $1,000 from the Women’s Initiative Fund for the purchase of baby formula.

First United Methodist Church received $10,000 from the Hersee Family Fund, Jerry M. and Marilyn A. Morey Community Fund and Jane McNamara and Louise Williams Fund for the Hope Childcare Center which will provide quality childcare in a safe environment for infants and toddlers in Isabella County.

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan received $2,000 from the Women’s Initiative Fund for the Girl Scouting in Isabella County initiative to serve girls (grades K-12) with financial assistance and programming expenses.

Habitat for Humanity of Isabella County received $8,000 from the Dr. Leonard E. and Louise A. Plachta Unrestricted Fund, John P. and Ann S. Jensen Community Impact Fund and William and Janet Maar Strickler Community Impact Fund for the Priority Home Repair program which will provide minor repairs to low-income homeowners in Isabella County.

Isabella County Child Advocacy Center received $6,000 from the Fabiano Family Fund, Kay Smith Family Fund, Kellogg Youth Fund and Sherwood Family Fund to update the forensic interview technology and install security equipment.

Isabella County Parks and Recreation received $6,350 from the Bandit Industries Community Fund, Brewster Family Access to Recreation Fund, Schafer Community Impact Fund, Summit Petroleum Fund and Theunissen Family Fund to replace existing trail bollards along the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail with new specialized gates.

Isabella County Restoration House received $8,000 from the Doug and Missy LaBelle Family Foundation Donor Advised Fund, Morning Sun Community Fund and Olson Family Fund to purchase necessary kitchen equipment for the permanent shelter.

Life Choices of Central Michigan received $1,000 from the Shepherd Community Fund in Honor of Robert H. Bates for the SHARE Program Support to provide sexual health and relationship education to students.

Maslow’s Tiny Village received $4,689.58 from the Bovee Family Fund, Community Impact Fund, Elizabeth Z. Miller & Bruce H. LaPointe Community Needs Fund and G. Charles and Janice L. Hubscher Fund for The Build project, which will assist in creating a mobile advertising campaign and cover costs associated with completing the first phase of an environmental property review.

Michigan Arts Access received $2,300 from the Connor J. Puhlman Memorial Fund for Youth, Darlene Bond Memorial Youth Fund and Kellogg Youth Fund for the Artist in Residence Program which will provide visual and music instruction for GIRESD special education students.

Mount Pleasant Discovery Museum received $1,000 from the Kellogg Youth Fund for to update toys, lighting and silk materials in the Sister City exhibit to promote cultural competence.

Mount Pleasant MI Chapter of SPEBSQSA, Inc. (Mountain Town Family Chorus) received $1,500 from the Healthy Youth Healthy Seniors Fund for the Singing Together program which will create a learning opportunity for teens and senior citizens focused on barbershop harmony.

People Helping People of Isabella County received $17,280 from the Andy Wheeler Community Needs Fund, Community Impact Fund, David B. and Susan K. Keilitz Family Fund, Sally and John Goodrow Fund, Sherman C. and Shirley J. Rowley Family Fund and W.E. Martin Fund to assist in providing Sunday lunch at Max & Emily's for Isabella Community Soup Kitchen guests.

The Care Store received $2,500 from the Women’s Initiative Fund for the Period Protection program, which will provide period protection products to Isabella County women and girls.

The Care Store received $2,500 from the Michael C. and Dianne C. Morey Community Needs Fund, Ralph and Sonja Baumgarth Family Fund and W. Sidney Smith and Judith French Smith Family Fund for the Top Ten Needs program, which will provide personal and home care products to Isabella County residents.

United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties received $5,000 from the Rise Family Fund to expand the ALICE Support Fund to include transportation assistance for those in need.

Village of Shepherd received $5,500 from the Access to Recreation Fund, Janet Maar Strickler Access to Recreation Fund and Shepherd Community Fund in Honor of Robert H. Bates for the Shepherd Park merry go round.

William and Janet Strickler Nonprofit Center received $7,500 from the Barbara A. Bissot Fund, Denison Unrestricted Fund, Howard P. Himes Fund and Missy and Doug LaBelle Family Foundation Community Impact Fund for HVAC rooftop unit replacements.

Applications for the next competitive grant cycle will open on August 1. For more information on grant eligibility, and ways to support the endowed funds that make these grants possible, please visit www.mpacf.org.