Environmental Education Fund

The Environmental Education Fund was created in 2009 by a donor committed to connecting local youth with the diverse natural environments of Emmet County, Michigan. The county's unique ecological offerings—including inland lakes, coastal sand dunes, hardwood forests, migratory bird paths, freshwater springs, family farms, and Little Traverse Bay—serve as an expansive outdoor classroom. The fund is managed by the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation and has served nearly 5,000 local K–12 students since its inception, helping them learn directly from nature through immersive, hands-on experiences. The primary goal of the Environmental Education Fund is to promote nature-based learning among K–12 students enrolled in Emmet County schools. Grants support field-based education that aligns with classroom learning and fosters deeper ecological understanding. Funding priorities include transportation for field trips to local environmental sites such as state parks, birding trails, farms, and nature preserves. The fund also supports the purchase of educational equipment—such as binoculars, waders, or art supplies—that enables students to better observe and interact with natural environments. In addition to direct student engagement, the fund may be used to support professional development for educators and nonprofit staff. This includes specialized training on how to effectively deliver environmental education tailored to the ecological richness of Emmet County. However, it is important to note that this grant is specifically intended for nature-based educational initiatives and does not support general outdoor recreation or athletics. For such purposes, applicants are advised to consult the Community Foundation for alternate funding opportunities. Grants are limited to $500 or less and must be used during the current K–12 school year. Retrospective funding is not permitted, meaning applications must be submitted prior to the proposed activity. This ensures that funds are allocated for forward-looking, structured educational plans that have clear outcomes tied to environmental learning. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and public or private schools within Emmet County that serve K–12 students. The fund does not extend eligibility to individuals, for-profits, or entities outside of Emmet County. The Community Foundation evaluates submissions on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. Once a request is approved, grant checks are typically mailed within three weeks. For school applicants, the check will be issued to the district superintendent. To apply, eligible entities must log into the Grant Portal and use the access code TRAN01. For further questions, applicants can reach out to the Community Foundation by phone at 231-348-5820 or via email at grants@phsacf.org. The foundation’s office is located at 1349 US-131 Suite A, Petoskey, MI 49770, and maintains operating hours Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm. The application portal remains open throughout the school year, and due to its rolling basis, there are no hard deadlines unless otherwise noted by the funder.