Community Foundation announces over $186,000 in grants

During their Annual Breakfast, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation announced $186,814.15 in competitive grants to organizations making an impact in Isabella County.

Art Reach of Mid Michigan received $1,600 from the Community Impact Fund, Russ Herron Poetry Fund, and Weisenburger Family Fund for the Day with the Arts program, which will provide elementary age youth with the opportunity to experience a wide variety of art mediums.

Central Michigan University Research Corporation received $3,000 from the Bovee Family Fund, Community Impact Fund, and Dr. Leonard E. and Louise A. Plachta Unrestricted Fund to purchase and install keypad technology, which will allow for more accessible workspaces.

Christian Counseling of Mid Michigan received $43,500 from the Community Impact Fund, COVID-19 Community Response Fund of Isabella County, Fabiano Family Fund, Isabella Bank Director Memorial Fund, and W.E. Martin Fund to replace the organization’s current roof with a unified, full-building roof covering.

Christmas Outreach of Isabella County received $2,000 from the Women’s Initiative Fund to purchase and distribute winter hats, mittens, scarves, and gloves for women and girls in Isabella County.

City of Mt. Pleasant – Fire Department received $53,664.15 from the Community Impact Fund, Harkins Community Fund, Isabella County Health Improvement Fund, Jane McNamara and Louise Williams Fund, and W.E. Martin Fund to purchase three LUCAS devices (automatic CPR machines), which will ensure that all community members and patrons receive high quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation for out of hospital cardiac arrest.

Clothing INC received $7,000 from the Community Impact Fund, G. Charles and Janice L. Hubscher Fund, Kay Smith Family Fund, and Kellogg Youth Fund to purchase winter gear, such as boots, coats, hats, and gloves for those in need in Isabella County.

Community Compassion Network received $2,500 from the Women’s Initiative Fund to purchase diapers, wipes, formula, and care products for the infant pantry.

Cultural & Recreational Commission of Isabella County received $2,000 from the Community Impact Fund, Denison Unrestricted Fund, and Ruth S. and Gerard R. Felter and Florence F. Battenfeld Family Fund to purchase new skates, skate helpers, and helmets for the Learn to Skate program and for the public skate events held at the Martin Ice Arena.

HopeWell Ranch received $2,000 from the Barbara A. Bissot Fund, Community Impact Fund, and Ronald H. and Donna M. Cooper Family Fund to replace old unusable riding equipment for the organization’s horse riding programs. Funding will be used to purchase new saddles, bridles, peacock stirrups, and saddle pads.

Humane Animal Treatment Society received $6,350 from the Harkins Community Fund to purchase and provide free microchips for community pet owners to aid in the return of lost animals in Isabella County.

Isabella Community Soup Kitchen received $5,000 from the John and Sue Bradac Family Emergency Fund and Olson Family Fund to purchase a new commercial dishwasher.

Isabella County Child Advocacy Center received $13,000 from the Kellogg Youth Fund, W.E. Martin Fund, and Women’s Initiative Fund to update the iRecord software, which is utilized during forensic interviewing of children who have been victims of abuse.

Isabella County Restoration House received $1,500 from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Isabella County to provide breakfast and medical supplies to shelter guests during the rotational season. They also received $3,000 from the Healthy Youth Healthy Seniors Fund to provide daily transportation for ICRH guests to and from the host sites and to scheduled appointments and $1,200 from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Isabella County to provide staff training in mental health and general first aid, which will better identify the issues and needs of the guests utilizing the emergency shelter services.

Junior Achievement of North Central Michigan received $2,000 from the Community Impact Fund, Fisher Companies Community Impact Fund, and Kellogg Youth Fund to present 50 teacher-requested Junior Achievement programs to 1,250 students in Isabella County cost-free to schools and students during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Michigan Arts Access received $5,000 from the Harkins Community Fund to provide creative arts learning experiences to children, youth, and adults with disabilities living in Isabella County.

Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan received $5,000 from the Community Impact Fund, Hersee Family Fund, and Kellogg Youth Fund for the Family Support Program, which provides lodging, transportation, food, and other amenities to families during their children’s in-patient medical or mental health journey, all at no cost to the family.

The Care Store received $10,000 from the Women’s Initiative Fund for the Period Poverty project, which will provide sustainable period products for females in Isabella County. The Care Store also received $3,500 from the Women’s Initiative Fund to purchase and distribute quality textured hair products for all customers who request them.

United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties – Tiny Homes of Mount Pleasant received $1,500 from the Community Impact Fund, Barbara L. and George W. Dunn Family Fund, and Ranck Family Fund for training on how to successfully establish a tiny homes village for transitional housing.

William and Janet Strickler Nonprofit Center received $4,000 from the Barbara A. Bissot Fund, Community Impact Fund, and Hersee Family Fund to repair, add, and upgrade lighting within the organization’s building. They also received $8,500 from the Bandit Industries Community Fund, Community Impact Fund, and Jane McNamara and Louise Williams Fund to replace a 2,600 sq. ft. section of the parking lot, which will improve the safety of the parking lot for staff and clients.

For more information on grant eligibility or ways to support the endowed funds that make these grants possible, visit mpacf.org.