Michigan Community Development Grants

The Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Grant Program, managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Resources Division (FRD), assists rural fire departments in acquiring firefighting equipment. The program requires a 50/50 matching grant and is available to fire departments serving communities with populations of 10,000 or less. Eligible projects include personal protection gear for wildland fires, Class A foam generating equipment, dry hydrants, communications equipment, and breathing apparatus. Applications are reviewed and prioritized by the FRD, with awards capped at $4,999 per project. Projects involving multiple departments are considered on a case-by-case basis. Applications must be submitted by June 28, 2024, with awards announced around December 15, 2024. Projects must be completed by August 1, 2025.

This grant provides funding to local governments and private entities in Michigan to replace old diesel vehicles and equipment with all-electric alternatives, promoting cleaner air and sustainable practices.

The Manistee County Community Foundation is seeking applications to create and fund numerous projects that improve the lives of those who live in Manistee County. Donor Name: Manistee County Community Foundation State: Michigan County: Manistee County (MI) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The interest areas encompass all aspects of life including youth and education, arts and culture, the environment, health and human services, recreation, community development and more. The Community Foundation generally seeks to invest in projects that do the following, although they do not expect that all of these elements will be addressed in every application:  Address root causes  Will make a lasting impact on community and are sustainable  Attract funding and other resources to community  Demonstrate collaboration and/or coordination of efforts or resources  Target underserved members of community  Are accessible to participants, regardless of their identity or physical, social, financial or other circumstances  Include diverse perspectives, especially of those who stand to benefit Funding Information Generally, the minimum grant award will be $1,000 and the maximum grant award will be up to $10,000, with the exception of recreation grants which, through the remarkable generosity of a donor, may be up to $100,000. Grant Period Generally, projects should be completed within one year of a grant award. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible applicants include tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, school districts, units of government, including federally recognized tribes. Support may also be considered for religious institutions. Projects must be located in Manistee County, unless pre-approved by the Community Foundation, and benefit residents of Manistee County Foundation does not make grants to individuals, or grants to cover deficits, or other previously incurred obligations In general, they will not consider a new grant to an organization that has an open grant or has not met prior grant requirements For more information, visit MCCF.

This grant provides financial support to non-profit organizations in the Homer area for innovative projects that enhance education, recreation, environmental initiatives, and cultural development.

The Native American Heritage Fund Grant aims to support initiatives that honor and promote Native American culture and heritage within the State of Michigan. Eligible projects include those undertaken by public or private K-12 schools (including charter schools), accredited colleges or universities, and local units of government such as school districts, community college districts, cities, villages, townships, road commissions, or counties. Non-profit organizations can also apply, provided they have an eligible educational institution or local government entity as their sponsor and fiduciary. The application deadline for this grant is 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 7, 2024. The grant provides financial support for projects that foster understanding and appreciation of Native American culture within the Michigan community.

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 provides financial support for environmental assessments and cleanups of contaminated properties to promote economic development and revitalization in Michigan communities.

This program provides matching funds to municipalities for community-driven projects that enhance public spaces and promote accessibility.

This program provides funding to support businesses and organizations involved in processing, storing, and distributing locally produced food in Michigan, helping to strengthen the state's food supply chain.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Michigan to improve their operations, facilities, and educational programs, ensuring greater community access to diverse cultural experiences.

This funding opportunity supports a variety of Michigan organizations, including schools, municipalities, and nonprofits, to improve access to arts and cultural experiences for residents and visitors.

The Michigan Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate in the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) offers the Environmental Justice Impact Grant program to reduce environmental health burdens and impacts in Michigan’s environmental justice communities. The goal of the program is to positively impact residents in environmental justice communities by funding place-based and equity-focused projects. Award Amounts and Award Timeframes • $20,000,000 total funds available. • $500,000 maximum per applicant. • Grants will be awarded by August 30, 2024. Work must be completed by September 1, 2027

The Community Energy Management (CEM) Program, administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), offers grants to improve energy management, increase energy efficiency, and promote renewable energy adoption for local governments and tribes. This program is part of the EGLE Catalyst Communities Initiative, supporting Governor Whitmer’s climate change priorities. The grant period runs from January 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025, with a total of $5,850,000 available, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program (SEP) and Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG). Projects must focus on energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy installations, fleet electrification, EV charging infrastructure, and clean energy workforce development. The application deadline is June 30, 2024, or until funds are exhausted.

The Food Safety Training and Education grant, offered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), aims to provide up to $365,000 for projects focused on food safety training and education. The fund is divided into $242,500 for consumer education and $114,100 for training food service establishment employees and agents enforcing the Michigan Food Law of 2000. Grants will be awarded from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, with multi-year proposals considered based on future funding. Applications are solicited from May 3 to June 24, 2024.

The Category A Economic Development Road Projects grant, administered by the MDOT Office of Economic Development, aims to promote increased economic potential and improve quality of life by supporting job creation and retention in Michigan. The program funds transportation projects that enhance the network of highway services essential to economic competitiveness, improve accessibility to target industries, support private job-creating initiatives, and encourage economic development and redevelopment efforts. Eligible recipients include MDOT, county road commissions, and city and village street agencies. Projects must address transportation needs critical to economic development, relate to target industries such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and more, create or retain permanent jobs, and have an immediate positive impact on local employment and the economy. Applications are accepted year-round, and funding decisions are made up to five times a year.

The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo offers Arts Fund Project Support grants to support organizations aiming to engage culturally diverse and/or underserved communities within Kalamazoo County, emphasizing ethnic/minority, tribal, and rural communities. This initiative seeks to enhance the quality and diversity of arts in the region. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 organizations with annual budgets under $500,000, especially those targeting underserved communities. Projects must occur solely within and cater exclusively to Kalamazoo County's citizens. Two application periods are open for this grant: July 15 - September 20, 2024, and December 16 - February 14, 2025. The maximum grant amount is $5,500 or up to 50% of the project's budget.

This funding opportunity is designed to support K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and local governments in Michigan in enhancing educational programs about Native American history and culture, revising offensive mascots, and promoting mutual respect.

This grant provides financial support to local school districts, churches, and non-profit organizations for educational and cultural events held at the Granum Theatre in Alpena, Michigan.

This grant provides financial support for large-scale improvement projects in the Calumet Downtown Development Authority district, aimed at enhancing community development and economic vitality.

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