Community Priorities Grant Cycle

The Community Priorities Grant Cycle is administered by the Charlevoix County Community Foundation (C3F), a private philanthropic organization focused on enhancing the quality of life for residents in Charlevoix County, Michigan. C3F achieves its mission through a variety of funding streams and charitable partnerships, supporting schools, nonprofits, and local government units in meeting community needs. The Community Priorities Grant Cycle is one of the foundation's broadest funding initiatives, allowing diverse nonprofit entities to seek support for programs or projects that will benefit Charlevoix County residents. The fund is bolstered by Community Endowment funds, which are flexible, donor-driven, and available for a wide range of purposes. This grant cycle welcomes applications from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, educational institutions (from preschool through higher education), and all units of government that serve Charlevoix County residents. Applicants must not discriminate in hiring or services and must be in good standing with the IRS. Faith-based applicants must demonstrate that their services are publicly accessible and not tied to proselytization or religious requirements. A critical requirement for all applicants is that they must be current with their follow-up reporting for any previously awarded grants from the Community Foundation. The foundation funds a broad array of focus areas including arts and culture, education, environmental conservation and land use, community and economic development, human services, health, wellness, youth services, recreation, and civic improvement. Projects can vary in scale, and the Foundation does not impose a cap on the size or scope of requests. However, all applications must include a cash contribution component from the applicant organization, reflecting a shared financial investment in the proposed project. Applications will be evaluated based on several factors: the organization’s relevance and impact within its community, its operational capacity, the degree to which requested funds will strengthen the organization or its service population, and the strength and feasibility of the proposed project. Additional emphasis is placed on collaboration, prevention, and innovative responses to community needs. Applications that demonstrate these elements are more likely to succeed. All grant proposals are reviewed by the Foundation's Distribution Committee and may also be considered by individual donor advisors who wish to direct funds toward promising projects. To begin the application process, organizations must first schedule a consultation with Ashley Cousens, who oversees community grantmaking for C3F. If the project aligns with the Foundation’s priorities, applicants will receive a code to access the online application. The application becomes available annually on March 1 and closes at 11:59 PM on May 1. Once submitted, applicants cannot modify their entries. Funding decisions are announced in the first week of June. Approved projects typically receive funds by mid-June, with a grant period of one year. Follow-up reports are required within 12 months or upon completion of the funded work, whichever comes first. Additional information is included in the award notification package. The Community Priorities Grant Cycle recurs annually, and organizations are encouraged to consider this regular opportunity in their planning. Prospective applicants are also invited to request site visits from C3F staff or provide photo documentation of their project outcomes. While reporting and compliance expectations are clearly defined, the Foundation offers technical support throughout the process to ensure that applicants can navigate the system effectively.

Ask for what you need; clearly identify community needs and expected impact; show strong planning and organizational capacity.