Fall Proactive Grants

The Superior Health Foundation (SHF) is a Michigan-based nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing health and wellness throughout the Upper Peninsula. It awards grants to address the most pressing healthcare challenges in the region, supporting initiatives that improve healthcare access, bolster health education, and introduce innovative solutions to persistent public health issues. SHF operates several grant programs, including the Fall Proactive Grants, Community Health Pilot Grants, and Equipment Grants, each targeting specific community needs. In the 2025 Fall Proactive Grant cycle, SHF awarded over $430,000 across eight grants to organizations that serve the Upper Peninsula. These grants fund diverse programs including healthcare workforce development, oral health improvements, community paramedicine, emergency shelter health training, and integration of technology in health access. Notably, My Community Dental Centers received $75,000 to pilot a program aimed at resolving the dental workforce shortage by establishing a U.P. oral health workforce consortium. Moxie Moms was granted $73,517 to design a trauma-informed, community-rooted support hub for pregnant and postpartum mothers. SHF also supports smaller-scale innovations and critical equipment needs. Between June and September 2025, over $23,672 was distributed in Equipment Grants to facilities like the Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital for a chest compression system and Marquette District of St. Vincent de Paul for a food pantry cooler. Simultaneously, the Foundation awarded $33,970 in Community Health Pilot Grants, including projects like a community paramedic pilot by Bay Mills Indian Community and play-based therapy enhancements at Pathways Community Mental Health. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and entities that directly serve communities in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. While detailed eligibility criteria and application components for upcoming cycles were not yet published, past cycles suggest a competitive process where need, innovation, and community impact are central to evaluation. The Foundation has emphasized programs that align with regional health priorities, such as provider shortages and access barriers. More information on upcoming grant opportunities, including the UP Health Impact Grants and Equipment Grants, is scheduled for release on November 6, 2025. Additional details regarding Care Access Grants and the AED program are anticipated in early 2026. Interested organizations should monitor SHF’s website or contact them directly at shf@shfmi.org or (906) 225-6914 for updates. Grants are awarded on a periodic basis, often annually, with the Fall Proactive cycle being a recurring opportunity. Based on the pattern and timing of the 2025 awards, it is expected that the next cycle will open in Fall 2026. Applicants are encouraged to prepare early and align their proposals with SHF’s strategic goals to improve public health across the Upper Peninsula.

Programs aligned with health access and workforce training have high success rates. Regional relevance and community integration are prioritized.