Community Foundation awards nearly $145,000 in grants

Nearly two dozen grants of up to $18,000 each were awarded in late October by the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation Board of Trustees. The grants distribute nearly $145,000 to local nonprofits and governmental units.

The grants will support the provision of childcare, food, shelter, mental health services, clothing and books across Isabella County. They also will provide services, for example, to families whose children are receiving medical treatment or have been diagnosed with autism. 

“Through its grants, the Community Foundation works to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Isabella County, now and for generations to come,” CEO and Chief Operating Officer Liz Conway said. 

Twice a year, the Foundation accepts applications for grants that are funded by the investment earnings on more than 330 endowments created by generous local donors, their friends and families. Applications are assessed by the Community Foundation’s Grants Review Committee and then voted on by the trustees.

“These grants point to the tremendous impact created by about 2,000 donors each year who make contributions to support residents and advance communities across the county,” Conway said. “Our donors have incredible compassion for others and vision for what’s possible.”

This fall’s grants are:

Hope Childcare Center has received two grants totaling $20,200 from the Community Impact Fund, Dr. Leonard E. and Louise A. Plachta Unrestricted Fund, Fabiano Family Fund, Hersee Family Fund and Kay Smith Family Fund. Hope Childcare Center will be housed in the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant and seeks to address unmet need for childcare in Isabella County, which is classified as a childcare desert. The grants will support construction costs for bringing the south entrance into compliance with fire safety regulations and help cover start-up costs, such as staff CPR training, state-mandated background checks, craft supplies and cleaning and disinfection supplies. 

Friends of the Broadway has been awarded $18,000 from the W.E. Martin Fund and Community Impact Fund to provide air conditioning and house lights upgrades. These upgrades will enhance energy efficiency and audience and performer experience.

Christian Counseling of Mid Michigan has received $13,500 from the Women’s Initiative Fund, Isabella County Health Improvement Fund, Healthy Youth Healthy Seniors Fund and Community Impact Fund to cover the costs of mental health parent/guardian consultations while a child receives services. This includes therapy supplies, administrative costs for support services and counselor salaries. 

St. John’s Episcopal Church has been granted $12,000 from the Community Impact Fund, Weisenburger Family Fund and William and Janet Maar Strickler Community Impact Fund. The grant will cover costs associated with short-term emergency housing for Isabella County residents who are ineligible for local group shelters because of mental health, physical needs, "red tape" restrictions and/or minor legal infractions. 

Isabella Community Soup Kitchen has been granted $10,000 from the John and Sue Bradac Family Emergency Fund, Jane McNamara and Louise Williams Fund, Jerry M. and Marilyn A. Morey Community Fund and Community Impact Fund. These funds will support the purchase of a new delivery vehicle.

Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan has been awarded $10,000 from the Community Impact Fund for its Family Support Program. The money will cover guest expenses for Isabella County families, including food, shuttle services, cleaning supplies and security. Additionally, funds will be used toward the staffing required to run the program. 

Community Mental Health for Central Michigan has been granted $8,627 from the Kaufmann/Sauter Family Fund and Kellogg Youth Fund to support Isabella County suicide prevention training for students and staff.  Question, Persuade and Refer training is an industry-leading approach to suicide prevention. Once youth intervention specialists become certified QPR instructors, they are able to train students ages 14 and older, school staff, mentors, coaches, parents and others who support youth. 

Sleepy Dog Books Foundation has received $8,000 from the Robert and Geraldine Krapohl Literacy Fund and Connor J. Puhlman Memorial Fund for Youth to install book vending machines in two Mt. Pleasant schools. The Book Vending Machine Program puts books in the homes of young learners across our community. The program ensures young readers develop a passion for reading, gain foundational skills for learning and find success across developmental needs, regardless of age, gender or socio-economic status.

Isabella County Restoration House has received two grants totaling $6,600 from the Community Impact Fund and Isabella Bank Director Memorial Fund to support building functionality and homeless outreach services. This includes installation of fiber optics for internet services, a new phone system, treatment for bed bugs, and supplies for the Street Outreach Program. 

West Midland Family Center has been granted $6,000 from the Mt. Pleasant Oil Industry Food Pantry Fund to support its Food and Clothing Depot. The Depot sits on M-20, two miles east of the county line, and is an asset to many Isabella County residents. The Depot provides free services to those in need, and this grant will help cover the operational costs of providing healthy food for Isabella County residents who seek assistance. 

Clothing INC has been awarded $5,000 from the Summit Petroleum Fund, Community Impact Fund, Fisher Companies Community Impact Fund, G. Charles and Janice L. Hubscher Fund, Joanne Golden Family Community Impact Fund, John Neyer Family Fund, Ranck Family Fund, Rapaport Family Fund and Ruth S. and Gerard R. Felter and Florence F. Battenfeld Family Fund. These funds will provide towels and washcloths to community members in need. 

Mid-Michigan Industries has received $4,946 from the Kellogg Youth Fund to provide supplies and equipment that will enhance the Connections Autism Services previously provided by Community Mental Health of Central Michigan. 

Isabella County Commission on Aging has received $4,000 from the Isabella County Health Improvement Fund to provide personal emergency response systems for county seniors. The portable electronic devices have a button seniors can use to call for help in emergencies. Many seniors living on a fixed budget are unable to afford these safety devices.

Christmas Outreach of Isabella County has been granted $3,500 from the Mt. Pleasant Oil Industry Food Pantry Fund to support its Christmas breakfast baskets. The baskets will be available to each family that registers, with each receiving a canned ham, muffin mix, pancake mix and syrup to enjoy on Christmas morning.

The Care Store has been awarded $2,500 from the David B. and Susan K. Keilitz Family Fund, Barbara L. and George W. Dunn Family Fund, Tim and Mary Ann O'Neil Community Impact Fund and W. Sidney Smith and Judith French Smith Family Fund to provide kitchen items, including toasters, coffee pots, blenders, mixers, pots and pans, to individuals and families in need.

Isabella County Child Advocacy Center has been awarded $2,500 from the Jerry M. and Marilyn A. Morey Community Fund, Kimber and Judy DeWitt Family Fund, Myler Family Community Impact Fund and Steve and Sue Pung Family Fund for an Infant Health Trio Simulator for its child abuse and neglect programs. The simulator will help educate the community about the severe risks associated with drug and alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the dangers of Shaken Baby Syndrome. 

Mt. Pleasant Pride Center has been awarded $2,400 from the Community Impact Fund to support the creation of safe spaces in Isabella County. The grant will cover operational costs, a desktop computer for volunteers, creation of educational pamphlets and development of a hygiene program. 

Art Reach of Mid Michigan has been awarded $2,000 from the Rise Family Fund to support the Wellspring Literary Series, bringing the Mt. Pleasant community together for free poetry readings and musical performances. 

Village of Shepherd has received $1,859 from the Rise Family Fund to complete the merry-go-round project at Shepherd Park.

Community Compassion Network has received $1,500 from the Women’s Initiative Fund to support the Infant Pantry Stock the Shelves Program by providing specialty baby formula, diapers, baby wipes, food and other care products.

Life Choices of Central Michigan has been awarded $850 from the Rollie Denison Leadership Institute Leadership Enhancement Fund to support President and CEO Kate Connors in participating in the Rollie Denison Leadership Institute capstone course through the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce.