Arenac County Community Partnership Grants

The Arenac County Community Partnership Grants are offered by the Bay Area Community Foundation, a philanthropic organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for residents of Bay and Arenac counties in Michigan. Through its Arenac Community Funds Committee, the Foundation provides biannual grant opportunities to strengthen local communities by supporting a broad range of initiatives. The program is specifically designed for nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, government entities, and schools that serve the residents of Arenac County. This grant initiative seeks to fund projects and programs that foster a more vibrant and inclusive community. Eligible focus areas include community initiatives, education, arts and culture, health and wellness, recreation, animal welfare, historical building preservation, and services addressing the needs of disabled individuals and their families. Religious organizations may also apply if their proposed programs are non-sectarian in nature. However, individuals are not eligible to apply. Grant applications are submitted through an online portal and require applicants to create an account, input their organization’s details, and select the appropriate grant cycle. Two cycles are available annually: the first opens on the second Monday in January and closes on the second Monday in March, with awards disbursed in May; the second opens on the second Monday in July and closes on the second Monday in September, with awards disbursed in December. Projects must occur after the grant is awarded, as retroactive funding for previously completed projects is not permitted. Grant awards generally range from $1,000 to $5,000 and must be used within one year of the award date. The Foundation does not support endowments, lobbying, political campaigns, scholarships, religious programming, or routine maintenance and operating costs. All funded projects must serve residents of Bay or Arenac counties, and funding should be proportionate to the scope of impact within those areas if a project serves a broader region. Applicants are expected to publicly announce their grant award and submit a final report at the end of the grant period or when the funds are fully utilized. For assistance, applicants are encouraged to contact the Foundation’s grants Program Officer at (989) 893-4438 or email madis@bayfoundation.org. Additional resources and details about endowment fund areas can be found on the Foundation’s website under the Forms & Resources section.

Submit early in the cycle; align project with at least one priority area; do not request retroactive funding