Michigan Capacity Building Grants

The County of Alpena Youth and Recreation Committee offers mini-grants funded by a voter-approved millage established in 2010. This program aligns directly with the committee's mission to support recreational activities and improve recreational sites for youth and all residents of Alpena County. The mini-grants are one-time discretionary awards of up to $7,500 designed to support projects and initiatives that impact the county's residents, bolstering community well-being through accessible recreation. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are the youth and residents of Alpena County, as well as nonprofit organizations that serve them. The program aims to foster engagement in various recreational activities, encompassing sports, indoor and outdoor pursuits, and events that promote enrichment and community involvement. Impact goals include enhancing the quality of life for Alpena County residents through diverse recreational opportunities and supporting the organizational capacity of nonprofits working towards these objectives. The committee prioritizes projects that align with its broad understanding of recreation, which includes all types of sports and sporting events, indoor and outdoor activities, and events focused on enrichment and community engagement. Furthermore, priority is given to mini-grant applications that do not fit the normal Youth & Recreation application schedule, indicating a desire to support agile and responsive initiatives. The program also emphasizes capacity building for organizations to achieve the goals of the Youth & Recreation Commission, sustain their mission, and ensure long-term impact. Expected outcomes include an increase in available recreational activities and improved recreational sites for Alpena County residents, particularly youth. Measurable results could involve the number of participants in new or enhanced recreational programs, the successful completion of site improvement projects, and the strengthened capacity of recipient nonprofit organizations. The grant's reimbursement structure ensures that funds are directly tied to documented expenditures, promoting accountability. The County of Alpena's strategic priority is to continually invest in community recreation and youth development, with a theory of change that postulates that by funding diverse recreational activities and supporting relevant organizations, the overall health, engagement, and development of its residents will significantly improve.

The Community Health Impact program, supported by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, aims to foster bold ideas that empower communities to address their most critical health challenges. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission by investing in health-focused and community-based grantees, including grassroots organizations, neighborhood groups, and small to medium nonprofits, all committed to solutions driven by those directly affected by health issues. The program emphasizes building stronger, healthier communities throughout Michigan by responding to local needs and leveraging lived experiences. The target beneficiaries for this program are Michigan residents, with a particular focus on marginalized populations and those experiencing health disparities. The program aims to reduce health disparities, improve health equity, build community wellness, increase social integration, bolster community support systems, and expand community engagement efforts. These organizations work across a range of issues, from oral health to health literacy, demonstrating a broad commitment to improving public health outcomes across the state. The program prioritizes organizations that are deeply rooted in their communities and are developing solutions from the ground up. This focus is evident in the types of grantees supported, which include grassroots organizations and neighborhood groups. The program's theory of change appears to be centered on empowering local entities to create sustainable health improvements by fostering community-driven solutions and leveraging local expertise and lived experience. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a reduction in health disparities, increased health equity, stronger community wellness, improved social integration for marginalized groups, more robust community support systems, and expanded community engagement. Grant requests may not exceed a maximum budget of $150,000 and can be up to 2 years in duration, indicating a focus on impactful, yet appropriately scaled, projects. Eligible applicants include nonprofits recognized by the IRS, local units of government, and the State of Michigan, all serving Michigan residents, and possessing a current certified financial audit or independently reviewed financial statements, along with at least 1 FTE.

This funding opportunity is designed to help nonprofit organizations improve their internal operations and effectiveness through expert-led initiatives in areas like leadership development, strategic planning, and diversity training.

The Charlevoix County Community Foundation (C3F) is offering Housing Solutions Grants to increase the supply of housing units across various price points in Charlevoix County, Michigan. This initiative directly aligns with C3F's mission to address critical community needs, specifically focusing on housing choice and supporting mixed-income neighborhoods. The grants aim to remove barriers at the predevelopment stage of housing projects and leverage partnerships to maximize impact. The target beneficiaries for these grants are year-round residential occupants in Charlevoix County, with a particular focus on maintaining affordability for a portion or all of the housing units. The impact goal is to increase the overall supply of diverse housing options, ensuring that development is compatible with local goals and objectives. The program prioritizes projects that contribute to the long-term affordability and availability of housing in the area. The C3F's Housing Solutions Fund focuses its resources on pre-development activities and capacity-building efforts for housing organizations. This strategic focus is designed to address fundamental challenges that hinder housing development. By supporting these early stages, the foundation aims to create a stronger pipeline of viable housing projects, reflecting a theory of change that early intervention and foundational support lead to greater housing availability. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the number of housing units available in Charlevoix County, catering to a range of price points. Successful projects will demonstrate sustained affordability for residents and contribute to the creation of inclusive, mixed-income communities. The grant program seeks to foster collaboration among housing stakeholders and streamline the development process, ultimately leading to a more robust and equitable housing market.

The Forecast Public Art’s Midwest Memory Grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, is open to non-profit organizations in rural Midwest communities, aiming to elevate and preserve the stories of BIPOC communities through monuments, with a focus on addressing systemic inequities and advancing racial justice.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are offering the Step Up for School Wellness (SUFSW) grant, an innovative program designed to empower school health leaders, educators, administrators, families, and communities. This initiative aims to improve the health and well-being of K-12 students and staff across all public, charter, or private nonprofit schools in Michigan. The program aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering healthier school environments and cultivating a culture of wellness, which directly contributes to the development of lifelong healthy behaviors. The primary beneficiaries of this program are K-12 students and school staff throughout Michigan. The program's core impact goals revolve around reducing the incidence of obesity and undernourishment, combating absenteeism, addressing trauma, and nurturing a more productive teaching and learning atmosphere. Through a five-step model, the SUFSW program translates into specific goals focused on improving knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to health and wellness. The program prioritizes several key areas, including empowering students to be more physically active daily and make healthy food choices that incorporate fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and lean protein. Furthermore, it aims to empower students to learn and practice social and emotional skills, and equip staff to implement and participate in well-being initiatives. A significant focus is also placed on encouraging staff to instigate policy, system, and environmental changes that bolster the well-being of both students and staff within schools. Expected outcomes include improved physical activity levels, healthier eating habits, enhanced social and emotional skills among students, and a stronger culture of wellness for all school employees. The program also anticipates policy and environmental changes within schools that support overall well-being. These measurable results are driven by three distinct focus areas: physical activity and physical education resources, healthy eating and nutrition education resources, and well-being resources, all working towards a greater collective impact.

This grant provides funding to local governments and Michigan-based non-profits for projects that improve water quality and recreational access in the Chain of Lakes Watershed and surrounding areas in Antrim County, Michigan.

The Michigan Gateway Community Foundation is currently accepting grant applications for projects that benefit South Berrien and Cass Counties in Michigan. Grants are aimed at projects that promote the development or strengthening of community assets, have a long-term positive impact, lead to the prevention of recurring needs, encourage cooperation among organizations with related missions, and are financially sustainable without ongoing grant funding. Applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation before applying to understand the grantmaking process and requirements. Prior consultation with the foundation is strongly encouraged for applicants. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Winter deadline: February 1st

This grant provides financial support for property owners in the Village of Calumet to improve their buildings and enhance the downtown area's economic vitality through significant renovations.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federal program administered in Michigan by the Department of Natural Resources on behalf of the National Park Service. It aims to develop public outdoor recreation facilities and offer matching grants to local governments for creating public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The grant focuses on aligning with the priorities of the 2022-2027 State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, which includes trails, community recreation, green technology, coordination, communication, and universal access. Acquisition of land is not eligible for funding under this grant. Eligible applicants include state agencies and local government units such as cities, villages, townships, counties, and Native American Tribes. The application process is exclusively online via the MiGrants system, and the funding requires a 50% match from the applicant. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: April 1st

This program provides up to $25,000 in professional IT services to mid-sized to large Michigan-based nonprofits, helping them enhance their technology infrastructure and security while aligning their digital strategies with their mission goals.

The Branch County Grant Program is offered by an undisclosed funding organization and aims to support projects that benefit organizations in Branch County. The program operates on a quarterly basis, with four competitive grant cycles per year. The grant committee reviews requests for proposals during each cycle, and funding proposals must be submitted by February 1, May 1, August 1, or November 1. It is important to note that availability for these grants may be limited. For further information and to apply, interested organizations should contact the funding organization directly using the provided contact information.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit arts organizations in Genesee County, Michigan, to enhance community engagement and cultural initiatives through various arts programs.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in northwest Ohio that are collaborating to improve service delivery through shared resources, training, and strategic partnerships.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for nonprofit organizations, local governments, and experienced developers to improve public amenities and housing in downtown areas of Michigan, enhancing community living standards.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, local governments, and public schools in selected states to implement sustainability initiatives, workforce development, and community resilience programs that enhance the quality of life and economic vitality in their communities.

This funding opportunity supports innovative programs that improve college readiness, enrollment, and completion in Michigan communities, particularly those connected to Local College Access Networks.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, public entities, and community projects in Kalamazoo County for capital improvements like building renovations, new construction, and equipment purchases to enhance their service capabilities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that enhance community life on Mackinac Island by supporting projects focused on capacity building, culture, wellbeing, and vibrant island life.

This funding opportunity supports a variety of equine-related projects in Michigan, including marketing, research, and aftercare programs, aimed at enhancing the state's horse racing industry and overall equine activities.