Support Us Now (SUN) Fund

The Support Us Now (SUN) Fund is a responsive grant program administered by the Mackinac Island Community Foundation (MICF) with a mission to enrich the quality of life for residents of Mackinac Island. The fund is designed to support smaller-scale projects and emergency needs that arise outside of the foundation’s regular grant cycles. SUN Fund grants are specifically intended for initiatives requiring $5,000 or less, and funding is subject to availability throughout the year. This fund provides a flexible and accessible avenue for local organizations to seek support for urgent, innovative, or capacity-building activities. Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities serving Mackinac Island residents, such as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, all levels of educational institutions from preschool through college, and governmental units. These entities must demonstrate non-discriminatory practices in both employment and service provision. Additionally, applicants must be in good standing with the IRS and current with any required reporting from past MICF grant awards. Projects funded by the SUN Fund typically exhibit qualities such as cross-sector collaboration, novel approaches to community needs, promotion of self-reliance, prevention-oriented strategies, avoidance of service duplication, and overall capacity building. While the program encourages innovation and responsiveness, certain types of requests are not eligible for support, including political campaigns, sectarian initiatives, deficit spending, annual fundraising drives, and services that fall under government responsibility. The application process is intentionally streamlined to make access to funding more efficient. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through MICF’s online portal. Before submission, applicants must first discuss their proposal with an MICF staff member. After submission, decisions are generally communicated within two weeks. If awarded, grant funds are disbursed within a standard two-week check processing cycle. The awarded funds must be used within six months, and a follow-up report is required to document outcomes, share successes, and provide photos if available. This report should be submitted through the same portal and is due within six months or sooner if the project concludes early. Faith-based organizations may apply, provided they demonstrate public benefit, accessibility regardless of beliefs or lifestyle, and a clear separation of religious activities from the funded services. Importantly, the program does not permit any conditional services, such as requiring attendance at religious functions in exchange for assistance. Oversight for appropriate use of grant funds rests with the applicant’s governing board, reinforcing accountability for project delivery and outcome reporting. The SUN Fund represents a nimble tool for meeting community needs on Mackinac Island, allowing local institutions to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities without waiting for fixed grant cycle windows. It ensures that even modest projects that might otherwise fall through the cracks have a chance to receive support when it matters most.