Fourteen grants were recently approved by the Midland Area Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees, including three grants from the Midland Area Youth Action Council. The total grantmaking for the first quarter amounted to $503,980. Grantmaking from the Midland Area Community Foundation is made possible by community members who have contributed to funds that support the charitable, cultural, educational, recreational, and scientific needs of the Midland area, in alignment with the Community Foundation’s purpose.
The Community Foundation’s first quarter grants range from $2,500 to $60,000, each focusing on one of four significant areas of community improvement: building our livelihood, developing our talent, caring for our people, and enriching our community. Through their grant applications, community partners shared how the Community Foundation’s investment would allow them to scale their impact in one or more of these areas.
The Midland Area Community Foundation is committed to trust-based philanthropy. This framework reflects a commitment to building relationships with nonprofits and making grantmaking responsive to their needs. This funding cycle includes operational grants to nonprofits, one of the principles of trust-based philanthropy.
“The Midland Area Community Foundation is dedicated to fostering a thriving and forward-thinking community through strategic grantmaking. By investing in innovative initiatives and addressing critical needs, we empower local organizations to create meaningful change. Our grants are a testament to our ongoing commitment to building a stronger Midland County—one where every resident can succeed and contribute to a vibrant future.” said Sharon Mortensen, President & CEO of the Midland Community Foundation.
First-quarter grants for 2025 include:
- ARC of Midland – $10,000
Support for 2025 iCan Swim Camp in Midland (Youth Action Council Grant)
Funding will assist with hosting the iCan Swim camp for Midland residents with disabilities, ages three and up. During the five-day camp, up to 30 participants will learn new swim skills, enhance existing abilities, and acquire life-saving water safety techniques, all while building self-esteem and confidence. In a community where water recreation is commonplace, swimming provides essential connections and opportunities for children.
- Chippewa Nature Center, Inc. – $60,000
Building New Nature Connections by Protecting Green Space and Riverfront Property in Homer Township
Funding will support the Chippewa Nature Center (CNC) in preserving over 500 acres of woodlands, including more than a mile of riverfront along the Chippewa River in Homer Township. The purchase of this property supports the vital riparian greenbelt.
“Chippewa Nature Center currently welcomes over 100,000 people annually to participate in nature-based educational and recreational opportunities. This property will offer additional access to green space, provide an outdoor learning area for youth, and protect an important river corridor for generations to come,” said Dennis Pilaske, Executive Director for Chippewa Nature Center.
- Cleveland Manor – $39,980
Cleveland Manor Ramp Repair Project
Funding will assist with repairs to the balcony ramp structure connecting two apartment buildings in Midland. In addition to providing convenience for individuals with mobility challenges, the ramp serves as an emergency egress route during elevator downtime. Significant repairs will ensure the ramp remains functional and safe for residents.
- Coleman Area Library – $6,500
Public Access Computers
Funding will help the Coleman Area Library replace its outdated public-access computers, allowing for a Windows 11 update. These computers are used regularly by community members who do not have access to computers at home to do homework, search for jobs, take online classes, complete financial paperwork, or other important tasks. This grant ensures continued safe and secure computer access for the public.
- Coleman Community Schools – $10,000
Cultivating Comets’ Mental, Physical and Social-Emotional Wellbeing by Growing Their Talents, Leadership and School Pride (Youth Action Council Grant)
Funding will assist Coleman Community Schools in replacing the Jr/Sr High Auditorium stage’s fire-resistant curtains and pulley system, which are over 25 years old and in need of replacement. This project is part of a broader initiative to “Cultivate Comets’ Mental, Physical, and Social-Emotional Wellbeing by Growing Their Talents, Leadership, and School Pride.”
- LifeClinic Community Resources – $50,000
Supporting Parents & Babies in the Midland Community
Funding will contribute to sustaining and expanding LifeClinic’s Parenting Education Program, which served over 1,200 families in 2024 and impacted nearly 7,000 individuals. The program offers 450 classes on childbirth, parenting, and safety annually, with families earning an average of $150 monthly in baby supplies. The grant will also help enhance virtual and after-hours services and strengthen collaborative efforts with partner agencies to serve families in need.
- Midland Free Methodist Church – $15,000
Christmas Market 2025
Funding will assist with the Christmas Market event, part of a Compassion Ministry outreach. The event provides families in need with Christmas shopping opportunities, ensuring that more community members can experience the joy of the holiday season. The Market is open to the community, regardless of faith or personal demographics.
- Midland Public Schools – $2,500
Gizmos for Midland High School (Youth Action Council Grant)
Funding will support the purchase of a three-year individual teacher license for Gizmos, a platform offering an extensive library of interactive science labs and simulations. Gizmos facilitates inquiry-based learning, enabling students to manipulate variables in a virtual environment and significantly enhancing science education outcomes.
“Gizmos offers a dynamic way to engage high school students with diverse learning styles. These simulations bring science topics to life, fostering deeper understanding and active participation,” said Gigi McIntyre, Science Teacher for Midland High School.
- MyMichigan Health Foundation – $60,000
MyMichigan Medical Center Midland: Emergency Department Expansion and Technology
Funding will assist with an $11.4 million expansion and technology upgrade of the Medical Center-Midland Emergency Department. The project will increase facility space, expand patient-facing areas in the waiting room and triage, and add critical diagnostic equipment, including a third MRI machine and the only fixed PET scanner in northern Michigan outside Lansing and Traverse City.
- The ROCK Center for Youth Development (Reaching Our Community Kids) – $60,000
The ROCK Midland County OST Program
Funding will help The ROCK Center for Youth Development continue providing affordable, enriching Out-of-School Time (OST) programs for teens in Midland County. Serving over 650 teens annually, the program remains a vital resource for families seeking accessible after-school and summer opportunities. This grant ensures the continued availability of high-quality, low-cost programming while removing barriers to participation.
- Ten Sixteen Recovery Network – $50,000
The ARCH Project
Funding will contribute to the ARCH Project (Advancing Recovery, Capacity, and Health), an initiative designed to expand Ten16 Recovery Network’s capacity to deliver integrated care for individuals with substance use disorders. This 24-month project will enhance services, improve infrastructure, and implement a comprehensive care coordination model. As an extension of Ten16’s BRIDGE Initiative, the project focuses on addressing social determinants of health to strengthen organizational capacity.
- Toni and Trish House – $60,000
Enhancements to The Toni and Trish House
Funding will assist with the construction of an 800-square-foot addition and the remodeling of 500 square feet of existing space at The Toni and Trish House. The project includes relocating a guest room to a more suitable setting, adding a family gathering area, and modifying doorways to improve accessibility for those with mobility limitations.
- Village of Sanford – $20,000
Expand Village of Sanford Park Property
Funding will help the Village of Sanford acquire the last privately owned parcel within the Village Park. Securing this property supports hazard mitigation by removing private land from the floodplain, creating additional parking for youth activities and ballgames, and enhancing the park’s amenities for children. The agreement also facilitates the relocation of the current property owner to a buildable lot, supporting local commerce.
- West Midland Family Center – $60,000
2025 Building Rehabilitation
Funding will assist with essential building rehabilitation at the West Midland Family Center. Nearly 50% of the HVAC system, the original roofing from the 1989 construction and 2001 expansion, the outdoor restroom facility, and the parking lot will be replaced. These updates are crucial to maintaining a safe and inviting environment for the community.
Competitive grants are offered quarterly. Grants are open to all 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies, educational institutions, and government entities in Midland County. To inquire about donating, establishing a fund, or applying for a grant, contact the Community Foundation at (989) 839-9661 or info@midlandfoundation.org.