The Bud Mansfield Community Impact Fund

The Bud Mansfield Community Impact Fund, managed by the Chippewa County Community Foundation (CCCF), is designed to improve the quality of life for residents of Chippewa County, Michigan. This fund operates as a permanently endowed resource to support impactful community initiatives and is driven by CCCF’s mission to address immediate needs and create lasting change. The 2024–2025 grant cycle emphasizes the importance of micro-grants, which offer crucial funding infusions to help community organizations start, support, or complete small-scale but meaningful projects. The Community Impact Micro-Grant is tailored for local non-profit organizations, community groups, youth teams, churches, schools, and government agencies that operate within Chippewa County and hold 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. The program encourages applications for efforts that benefit individuals in the local area, especially those that align with inclusive values and non-discriminatory practices. Applications for non-religious purposes from religious organizations are also welcomed, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to equity and inclusivity. Funding may be used for various purposes, such as restocking food pantries, launching new community projects, supporting ongoing programs, or completing physical signage projects. Although the maximum grant amount is capped at $500, this funding serves as seed money or gap funding to initiate or sustain efforts that would otherwise lack resources. The foundation stresses that these micro-grants are especially useful for catalyzing new ideas or providing short-term support to fulfill a specific need. The application process is intentionally accessible: applicants can either email their completed forms to the Foundation or submit them in person or by mail to the CCCF office. Required documents include a completed application form that captures organization information, project goals, funding purpose, timeline, and budget overview. While the deadline is rolling, applications are reviewed on a continual basis and must be submitted via the specified contact methods. Applicants must provide detailed narratives that explain their organization’s purpose, the planned project and its scope, how the funding will be used, volunteer involvement, and long-term sustainability plans if the grant is used as seed money. Optional attachments such as a list of the organization's governing body and IRS tax exemption letter may be submitted to support the application. Final decisions are made by CCCF’s Board of Trustees based on staff and reviewer recommendations. For inquiries, applicants can contact the foundation at officemanager@chippewacountycf.org or (906) 635-1046. The CCCF office is located at 511 Ashmun St., Suite 202, Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783. With no firm deadline and a mission-driven review process, the Community Impact Micro-Grant is an accessible funding opportunity aimed at creating tangible local impact year-round.

Emphasize local benefit to Chippewa County; clarify volunteer involvement and sustainability; non-religious use must be clearly stated for religious organizations.